Jelbz

The ONLY way to see if your oil needs to be changed is doing an oil analysis. Manufactures recommendations are to get an average truck to let the longest warranty period.

My truck is new, but my last car showed failing viscosity at 6-7k...changed my oil at 5k.

Eduskator

Sorry lol, don't mean to fight, but I'm shocked to see how ignorant people are (ignorant in the literal sense, of course) when it comes to these things.


Your last sentence equals to say : I tried to eat an apple once and didn't like it, so I'm never eating oranges again.

Napalm

I wish there was a 3rd option as I fall in between.

I follow the OLM but I don't let it go to 0% for the changes. I go towards 20%. when I get close I gather supplies - and then plan the oil change. But I don't go by X miles or Y days.

I go by OLM%.

STeXy

So how does the OLM work, does it actually measure the conductivity of the the oil, or does it just use time, miles and driving habits?

Eduskator

Highly doubt the system analyze the oil itself, so second option is most likely the one...

Found on Ford.com :

If your vehicle is equipped with the IOLM feature, here’s how it works:

IOLM analyzes your vehicle’s data and calculates the recommended time to change your oil, so that you don’t have to remember to change it based on mileage intervals.


Found on AutoBlog:

How Ford’s Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system works

The Ford IOLM system is not just a simple oil quality sensor, but a software based, algorithm-driven device that takes into account various operating conditions of the engine to determine when the oil needs changing. Certain driving habits can affect the life of the oil, as well as driving conditions such as temperature and driving terrain. Lighter, more moderate driving conditions and temperature will require less frequent oil changes and maintenance, while more severe driving conditions will require more frequent oil changes and maintenance. Read the table below to see how Ford’s IOLM system determines oil life:
The Ford’s IOLM meter is located on the information display on the dashboard, and will count down from 100% oil life to 0% oil life as you continue to drive the vehicle, at which point the computer will trigger a reminder for you to ‘change engine oil soon.’ Around the 15% oil life threshold, the computer will remind you that an ‘oil change is required’, giving you ample time to plan ahead to have your vehicle serviced. It is important not to wait to have your vehicle serviced, especially once the indicator reads 0% oil life. If you do wait, and servicing is overdue, you risk severe damage to the engine, which could leave you stranded or worse.

SloViper

I always change mine at around 5000k or twice a year, i dont care what people say. I have been changing it like this in all my trucks i owned and always will

buzzin 1/2 dozen

My dealer has a deal "oil change for life" for $300 at the time of purchase up to 3 times per year. I have been averaging twice a year as I am only in town a half dozen times a year. Being my truck has 12,000 miles on it, I am averaging 3,000 - 4000 miles between changes so the IOLM doesn't come into play.

Napalm

to be fair if I only drove 3K miles in one year - I would change my oil then too.

At the time I was involved in creating a monitor algorithm no oil maker would guarantee their test spec of their product past one year. In and engine, or in an open container

Which is why all OLM systems will time out before a year is out. (assuming the computer stays powered the entire time . . . . . . )

I wouldn't let oil sit that long either.

it doesn't measure the oil at all. That type of sensors and ability to test the oil on the go doesn't exist.

OLM works on a algorithm based on test stand engines and test mules - and previous history. It takes conditions like # of cold starts, Time at ____ RPM, hours at idle - hours under _____ rpm, warm starts, etc.

Then it subtracts that from a theoretical maximum - in many cases that is literally one year in seconds.

So when you reset the value you go back to MAX. as you drive - it counts down from Max towards 0.

When you tow - and the truck spends 25 minutes over 4000 rpm - that counts as some number of minutes over 25 against the clock.

When you cold start it every morning - that takes some time off the clock.

stormsearch

Change mine at 7500 miles based on two OIA's that measure fuel dilution directly. I would go 10K, but my 2.7L with the DI, has too much fuel dilution for my tastes to go to 10K miles.

tailhook

Personal preference. I changed every 5k miles. The last two times i had my oil changed at 5k the oil life monitor still had 50-60% left. It seems like im wasting money but im at peace with it.