digitaltrucker

Just turned 70K, I change every 5K with filter. So mine has had 14 oil changes and is 4 years old this month.

truckdriverguy

I always go with synthetic blend. I got the oil changed the other day, just so I know it was done. The dealership that I bought it from said they changed it, but the old sticker was still on and the computer said 46% oil life. I always get the oil changed immediately when I buy a vehicle, just so I know it was actually done.

Anywho, I am assuming that F-150s aren't different from any other truck, in that they don't like any certain type of oil/blend?

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Synthetic blend is only good for 5000 miles..

Eric Kleven

What did they update the OCI on the 5.4's? 7,000+, 5,000 severe? I've done the used oil analysis on mine, with Formula Shell conventional, those numbers are about right. (I did a heavy tow from Denver to Minneapolis on one oil change, and then a lot of highway driving on the next oil change) With 'better' oils, 10,000 for a commuter/highway vehicle that doesn't come close to 'severe' use is entirely possible. I'm happy with 6-7k using oil that runs $13.89 for a 5 qt jug at the home despot.

I'm not up to speed on what the capacities or recommended miles are on the 5.0/3.7/3.5/6.2/whatever engines. Generally the oil life monitors are regarded as fairly accurate. If you want some margin, change it at 30% and call it good.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

The oil life monitor does not know what kind of oil you are pouring into the motor.. just saying..

CO Raptor

The monitor isn't much more than a timer. It doesn't know what kind of oil you put in, it doesn't know the conditions you drive in. It can monitor driving habits but is really just guessing at actual oil condition. In no way does it actually test or sample the oil. Hopefully at minimum it is annoying enough to get those who don't do good maint to participate...lol

RedsRock302

As close to 5k as possible, always checking oil levels at 2500 miles. I only set the oil life % to 50% for personal reminder of the 5k.

truckdriverguy

I would like to think that Ford, or any brand truck for that matter, would not waste the money or technology on a system that is not, at the very least, accurate enough to be close enough to keep your truck running if you change the oil based on the computer's recommendation.

2015rubyFX4

I would think its more then that. Maybe it measures voltage across the oil to see the conductivity to determine the amount of metal or dirt in it? That would seem simple enough to do

RedsRock302

I think of it as just another idiot light. It's there to save me from being an idiot.

But the Ford Intelligent Oil Life Monitor factors in driving habits and conditions and calculates when the oil should be changed. It looks at temperatures, highway vs city driving, towing, terrain, etc. to determine when your oil should be changed, approximately. There is no internal sensor to check how thin or dirty the oil is.