Anyone know how the oil life monitor works and how accurate it is?
5/11/12, 08:00 PM
#1
Bullitt Member
Thread Starter
Anyone know how the oil life monitor works and how accurate it is?
I've never had a car with one of these. Oil change clocks yes, but a sensor system no. How does it work? An engineer friend suggested it measures electrical resistance in the oil. That seems plausible as metal particles and other contaminants build up in the oil. Does anyone know how it actually works? Can it be trusted? My 12 GT is 2 months old, has 1700 miles and still has 85% oil life?
5/11/12, 08:05 PM
#2
I've never had a car with one of these. Oil change clocks yes, but a sensor system no. How does it work? An engineer friend suggested it measures electrical resistance in the oil. That seems plausible as metal particles and other contaminants build up in the oil. Does anyone know how it actually works? Can it be trusted? My 12 GT is 2 months old, has 1700 miles and still has 85% oil life?
Last edited by Rather B.Blown; 5/11/12 at 08:11 PM.
5/12/12, 06:49 PM
#5
Bullitt Member
5/12/12, 07:38 PM
#6
Cobra Member
Here you go, from the Ford site:
More than likely, if you stayed on top of your required maintenance duties, you’ve changed your oil every 3,000 or 5,000 miles. With the introduction of the IOLM, now you’ll be able to take your vehicle in for an oil change based on actual operating conditions.
What the IOLM measures to determine when an oil change is needed
Several key factors that affect oil life include:
Driving habits (such as towing and workload)
Hours in operation and at idle
Oil and coolant temperature
Engine speed and torque
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleaning cycles
How the IOLM works
The IOLM does not use oil quality sensors – it is entirely software-based and uses actual engine operating conditions to calculate the oil change interval by using an algorithm. This means the system must be reset after an oil change. Not doing so will result in a premature OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message.
The frequency of oil changes
Depending on driving conditions, oil change intervals are approximately:
Up to 10,000 miles - Normal commuting with highway driving
5,000 – 7,500 miles - Trailer tow/high-load driving
3,000 – 5,000 miles - Short trip usage, extreme cold or hot temperature
NOTE: Actual mileage will depend on your specific driving conditions.
Under normal conditions, you will get an OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message at up to 1 year, or 10,000 miles from the previous oil change.
What the IOLM tells you
You’ll find a display in your instrument cluster’s message center that will notify you of oil change intervals by displaying ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED. The system will also indicate when fuel filters need maintenance, or if fuel pressure is low.*
*Refer to owner’s guide for specific applications.
Synthetic oil and the IOLM
Ford engines have been tested using Motorcraft® Synthetic Blended Oils. If you do use synthetic oil, it needs to meet the Ford specifications for motor oil and the specific oil weight as indicated in the owner’s guide. Ford still recommends using the oil change service intervals as indicated by the IOLM.
Vehicles that will get the IOLM
The IOLM will be available on most vehicles under 8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and the all-new 2011 model year 6.7L Power Stroke® Diesel on the Super Duty® model. That translates into over 90 percent of the 2011 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sold.
For in-depth details about the IOLM, please refer to your owner’s guide and diesel supplement.
Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
More than likely, if you stayed on top of your required maintenance duties, you’ve changed your oil every 3,000 or 5,000 miles. With the introduction of the IOLM, now you’ll be able to take your vehicle in for an oil change based on actual operating conditions.
What the IOLM measures to determine when an oil change is needed
Several key factors that affect oil life include:
Driving habits (such as towing and workload)
Hours in operation and at idle
Oil and coolant temperature
Engine speed and torque
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleaning cycles
How the IOLM works
The IOLM does not use oil quality sensors – it is entirely software-based and uses actual engine operating conditions to calculate the oil change interval by using an algorithm. This means the system must be reset after an oil change. Not doing so will result in a premature OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message.
The frequency of oil changes
Depending on driving conditions, oil change intervals are approximately:
Up to 10,000 miles - Normal commuting with highway driving
5,000 – 7,500 miles - Trailer tow/high-load driving
3,000 – 5,000 miles - Short trip usage, extreme cold or hot temperature
NOTE: Actual mileage will depend on your specific driving conditions.
Under normal conditions, you will get an OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message at up to 1 year, or 10,000 miles from the previous oil change.
What the IOLM tells you
You’ll find a display in your instrument cluster’s message center that will notify you of oil change intervals by displaying ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED. The system will also indicate when fuel filters need maintenance, or if fuel pressure is low.*
*Refer to owner’s guide for specific applications.
Synthetic oil and the IOLM
Ford engines have been tested using Motorcraft® Synthetic Blended Oils. If you do use synthetic oil, it needs to meet the Ford specifications for motor oil and the specific oil weight as indicated in the owner’s guide. Ford still recommends using the oil change service intervals as indicated by the IOLM.
Vehicles that will get the IOLM
The IOLM will be available on most vehicles under 8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and the all-new 2011 model year 6.7L Power Stroke® Diesel on the Super Duty® model. That translates into over 90 percent of the 2011 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sold.
For in-depth details about the IOLM, please refer to your owner’s guide and diesel supplement.
Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
Last edited by SD CALSPCL; 5/12/12 at 07:39 PM.
5/12/12, 10:05 PM
#7
Bullitt Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by SD CALSPCL
Here you go, from the Ford site:
More than likely, if you stayed on top of your required maintenance duties, you've changed your oil every 3,000 or 5,000 miles. With the introduction of the IOLM, now you'll be able to take your vehicle in for an oil change based on actual operating conditions.
What the IOLM measures to determine when an oil change is needed
Several key factors that affect oil life include:
Driving habits (such as towing and workload)
Hours in operation and at idle
Oil and coolant temperature
Engine speed and torque
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleaning cycles
How the IOLM works
The IOLM does not use oil quality sensors - it is entirely software-based and uses actual engine operating conditions to calculate the oil change interval by using an algorithm. This means the system must be reset after an oil change. Not doing so will result in a premature OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message.
The frequency of oil changes
Depending on driving conditions, oil change intervals are approximately:
Up to 10,000 miles - Normal commuting with highway driving
5,000 - 7,500 miles - Trailer tow/high-load driving
3,000 - 5,000 miles - Short trip usage, extreme cold or hot temperature
NOTE: Actual mileage will depend on your specific driving conditions.
Under normal conditions, you will get an OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message at up to 1 year, or 10,000 miles from the previous oil change.
What the IOLM tells you
You'll find a display in your instrument cluster's message center that will notify you of oil change intervals by displaying ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED. The system will also indicate when fuel filters need maintenance, or if fuel pressure is low.*
*Refer to owner's guide for specific applications.
Synthetic oil and the IOLM
Ford engines have been tested using Motorcraft® Synthetic Blended Oils. If you do use synthetic oil, it needs to meet the Ford specifications for motor oil and the specific oil weight as indicated in the owner's guide. Ford still recommends using the oil change service intervals as indicated by the IOLM.
Vehicles that will get the IOLM
The IOLM will be available on most vehicles under 8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and the all-new 2011 model year 6.7L Power Stroke® Diesel on the Super Duty® model. That translates into over 90 percent of the 2011 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sold.
For in-depth details about the IOLM, please refer to your owner's guide and diesel supplement.
Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
More than likely, if you stayed on top of your required maintenance duties, you've changed your oil every 3,000 or 5,000 miles. With the introduction of the IOLM, now you'll be able to take your vehicle in for an oil change based on actual operating conditions.
What the IOLM measures to determine when an oil change is needed
Several key factors that affect oil life include:
Driving habits (such as towing and workload)
Hours in operation and at idle
Oil and coolant temperature
Engine speed and torque
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleaning cycles
How the IOLM works
The IOLM does not use oil quality sensors - it is entirely software-based and uses actual engine operating conditions to calculate the oil change interval by using an algorithm. This means the system must be reset after an oil change. Not doing so will result in a premature OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message.
The frequency of oil changes
Depending on driving conditions, oil change intervals are approximately:
Up to 10,000 miles - Normal commuting with highway driving
5,000 - 7,500 miles - Trailer tow/high-load driving
3,000 - 5,000 miles - Short trip usage, extreme cold or hot temperature
NOTE: Actual mileage will depend on your specific driving conditions.
Under normal conditions, you will get an OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message at up to 1 year, or 10,000 miles from the previous oil change.
What the IOLM tells you
You'll find a display in your instrument cluster's message center that will notify you of oil change intervals by displaying ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED. The system will also indicate when fuel filters need maintenance, or if fuel pressure is low.*
*Refer to owner's guide for specific applications.
Synthetic oil and the IOLM
Ford engines have been tested using Motorcraft® Synthetic Blended Oils. If you do use synthetic oil, it needs to meet the Ford specifications for motor oil and the specific oil weight as indicated in the owner's guide. Ford still recommends using the oil change service intervals as indicated by the IOLM.
Vehicles that will get the IOLM
The IOLM will be available on most vehicles under 8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and the all-new 2011 model year 6.7L Power Stroke® Diesel on the Super Duty® model. That translates into over 90 percent of the 2011 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sold.
For in-depth details about the IOLM, please refer to your owner's guide and diesel supplement.
Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
5/18/12, 01:02 AM
#9
Cobra Member
Join Date: January 10, 2012
Location: Granbury, TX
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by cdynaco
Yeah - 3-4k is stupid under most conditions. Plus they are not thinking of the larger capacity of the 5.0 - which takes longer for contaminents to affect the overall condition of the oil.
The following users liked this post:
tourer (5/5/16)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post