Oil Life Monitor
6/2/10 | 11:41 PM
#1
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Oil Life Monitor
Glad to see Ford finally put this in. Now if they would just get real gauges.
I am interested to see how this works. I know GM and Honda has had this for years and they have proven to be accurate according to the others who have had oil analysis reports done. I know nobody has very many miles on their cars and I know most people will change the oil pretty early on the first change at least.
I didnt see another thread about this so maybe everyone could post their miles and oil life reading when they change it.
I am interested to see how this works. I know GM and Honda has had this for years and they have proven to be accurate according to the others who have had oil analysis reports done. I know nobody has very many miles on their cars and I know most people will change the oil pretty early on the first change at least.
I didnt see another thread about this so maybe everyone could post their miles and oil life reading when they change it.
6/2/10 | 11:50 PM
#2
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First change at 1,200 miles (give or take a couple... local dealer runs a special, local MLB team scores 6, $15 changes. Not bad for 8 quarts) I was at 95% oil life (I'm at a shade over 1,500 now, so 300 miles post first change). I reset and just today checked. I'm at 95%. Yes I saw it go from 100, 99, 98, 97, 96 and 95 on both. I figured it just had a sensor on the oil plug/filter or ran mileage from reset. I was at 800 miles and 98% the first time. Somehow it knows.
6/3/10 | 12:15 AM
#3
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Nah, this thing is totally electronic. Its very complex and counts engine revs, oil temp, load, cold starts, temp, throttle position and all sorts of things. It knows if you drag racing or what ever. You get the idea. Its a very complex set of variable and places a value on each one and counts down. If your ripping on it all the time its going to be a short change. If you take a long trip it will be much slower.
Ford was using a mileage counter which is useless because no two people will drive under the same conditions. Some people will never be able to bring themselves to use this but the GM and Honda monitor have proven time and time again to be spot on. I look at it as a money saver and taking out the guess work for oil changes.
Ford was using a mileage counter which is useless because no two people will drive under the same conditions. Some people will never be able to bring themselves to use this but the GM and Honda monitor have proven time and time again to be spot on. I look at it as a money saver and taking out the guess work for oil changes.
6/3/10 | 12:21 AM
#5
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Found this on another website that I believe was copied from Ford.
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.
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.
6/3/10 | 08:37 AM
#7
legacy Tms Member MEMORIAL Rest In Peace 10/06/2021
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From: Clinton Tennessee
This is cool. I thought it just guessed by running time of the engine. I'm getting a first 'free oil change' at around 900 miles. The V-6's come with 'synthetic blend' oil. I'll do my next two oil changes at around 1,000 miles on each one, then i'll change to a 'full synthetic' motor oil.
6/3/10 | 02:36 PM
#10
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From: Massachusetts
6/3/10 | 06:59 PM
#12
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From: Bridgeport, Ct
16 trips down 1/4 mile before next oil change?
what if they are on a DYNO?
does it say 40 more pulls before oil change?
how smart is this computer?
6/3/10 | 07:20 PM
#13
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From: Texas
Dealer I bought the Taurus from goes with 5,000 mile intervals. I just looked at the Mustang oil-life display and it's saying 65% life left at 2,800 miles or so of daily driving... and that sounds pretty close to the 10,000 mile cycle mentioned (had it changed at 300 miles and I'm pretty sure they didn't reset it).
6/3/10 | 07:25 PM
#14
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A person who does a lot of short trips will see a quicker count down mileage wise vs a guy that commutes 100 miles a day on the interstate. I have watched the Hondas and Gm's I have seen every thing from 2K changes to 12K changes. Conditions and how its driven is the variable. I am glad Ford finally did this.
I know GM and Honda also have built in a bit of fudge factor into theirs also. I suspect Ford is no different.
6/3/10 | 07:40 PM
#15
legacy Tms Member MEMORIAL Rest In Peace 10/06/2021
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From: Clinton Tennessee
My Mustang has 408 miles on it. My oil is at 97%
I also tried to set up my 'Health Check'. It will send you a e-mail to remind you of things that need to be done to your car. Last week i tried to set it up but it told me the web site wasn't up and running yet. Has anyone else tried to set up their 'Health Check' yet?
I also tried to set up my 'Health Check'. It will send you a e-mail to remind you of things that need to be done to your car. Last week i tried to set it up but it told me the web site wasn't up and running yet. Has anyone else tried to set up their 'Health Check' yet?
Just a guess but......0% 
6/3/10 | 08:53 PM
#19
Legacy TMS Member
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From: Bay Area, CA
LOL jeez I asked 3 times. I don't have the patience to go download and search through a 2011 Owner's Manual. Is it that hard to answer a question around here? Or do I have to be asking where my 2011 5.0 is and post what the latest hold is. 
