bcb97

It calculates the oil life percentage based off how the vehicle is used. It specifically says this in the manual.

"Your vehicle is equipped with an Intelligent
Oil-Life Monitor that determines when you
should change the engine oil based on how
your vehicle is used. By using several
important factors in its calculations, the
monitor helps reduce the cost of owning
your vehicle and reduces environmental
waste at the same time.

This means you do not have to remember
to change the oil on a mileage-based
schedule. Your vehicle lets you know when
an oil change is due by displaying a
message in the information display."

These trucks are very sophisticated machines and they measure many characteristics of the engine use and performance so I'm sure it's not just a timer.


Manual also has a table:

When to expect the message prompting you to change your oil

7500-10000 miles
(12000-16000 km)

Vehicle use and example:
Normal
Normal commuting with highway driving
No, or moderate, load or towing
Flat to moderately hilly roads No extended idling


5000-7499 miles
(8000-11999 km)

Severe
Moderate to heavy load or towing Mountainous or off-road conditions Extended idling
Extended hot or cold operation
Extreme

3000-4999 miles
(4800-7999 km)
Maximum load or towing
Extreme hot or cold operation

2015rubyFX4

A conductivity sensor would be more accurate and easier I would think

Eric Kleven

If it's set up anything like Honda's, the programming isn't all that difficult. If we're talking about SN oils, they have certain limits on antiwear additives. Generally, antiwear additives deplete in a predictible fashion, a certain amount per revolution. If you know those two things, and the OE's certainly do, you can start calculating oil life without actually having a sensor. Then it's a matter of factoring drive times, engine loads/fuel consumption, heat cycles, to figure things like condensation loading, fuel loading, tbn depletion, et.c. Sure, it's a fairly involved process, but for a company with an engine development lab... it's not all that difficult if the cars have enough computing power.


Last I checked, the cars have enough computing power.


If it makes you nervous, spend the $28 or $38 or whatever and have your oil analyzed at 30% life, and tell them you're interested in extended oil change intervals. I bet the report will tell you to go another 2,000 (at least) and send another sample.

2015rubyFX4

Much harder and not nearly as accurate as actually TESTING the oil in the crankcase. Like I said, this can be easily done by a conductivity test. Then no matter what oil you put in or any of your driving habits changes you will have a 100% accurate indication on what the oil is actually doing not just a prediction of hows its doing. That, I would trust.

raski

Send in a sample to a lab and see exactly where you stand at 5k miles. Maybe your results would support a longer interval.

GKofTX

I just took delivery of a 2018 Lariat with the 5.0 engine. While looking it over to make sure I had the correct socket for the oil pan plug, I discovered what appears to be a plastic plug. (attached). Is that the oil pan plug, and how is it best removed (hand, pliers, etc.) If its not the oil pan plug, what is it?

Thanks

ps. The Lariat is a sweet ride

colemac

What will that be? My truck is a 2017 502A Lariat. I have about 9800km's on it. It still says 35% to 40% oil remaining but my other mentioned I should get it done? Would you go mobil 1 full synthetic or the ford semi synthetic? Also should I go by computer in truck or get it completed now?

2015rubyFX4

Radiator drain plug?

Ricktwuhk

No, you should not get it done. Read the link in the 2nd post.

2015rubyFX4

Get that original oil out now and get in full synthetic asap