Getting used to longer OCI

[brian_06328]

So I've been changing my own oil for the past three decades or so, for so long I was a strict 3k OCI changer with conventional oil, then I was able to force myself into 5k using synthetic oil, turns out that was not as daring as I originally thought.

Now I have a 2012 Ford Focus with the 2.0 direct injected engine. The first few oil changes I did with it were 5k, but after reading more I feel more comfortable with going longer, OLM could make it to 10k (astounding to me)

I currently have Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 with a MC FL400S filter, I plan on taking it to 7500 unless the OLM indicates a change is due sooner (which I doubt it will since I drive it pretty conservatively). I just passed 30k on the car, which is when I would have been due for a 5k change, so I'm in uncharted territory for me which made me nervous at first (and still does from time to time)

I am pretty sure I will stick to the Pennzoil I am using, for sure for the next OCI since I already have the oil ready to go in my garage. Might go to the ultra platinum, but probably not.

Going to be driving the car a few hundred miles today and then back tomorrow, so it got me thinking harder about being past that 5k mark that I just haven't done before.

 

[Clevy]

Follow the oil life monitor. It's just that simple.

 

[MoreCowbellAz]

Just take satisfaction in knowing with each extended OCI you're sticking it to the oil companies instead of being one of their brainwashed sheep. You're not paying for that oil exec's 5th vacation home. You're conserving resources. And all the while your car is just as happy. That usually does it for me, win all the way around.

 

[ExMachina]

Is Ford's OLM finally like GM's OLM? In that it uses actual algorithms based on temperature, engine load, RPMs, counts revs, or at least something similar? Used to be their OLM was just time & mileage, 6 months or 5,000 miles or so.

Found it after all: https://www.lombardfordwarrantys.com/resources/pdf/Intelligent-Oil-Life-Reference-Guide.pdf
So yes, as of 5 years ago they finally caught up with what GM has been doing for 25 years. Theirs is based on algorithms too, so you should be fine following that. Actually using a full synthetic, or going to an Extended Performance version of a full syn, means you are changing your oil a little too soon using Ford's OLM which assumes conventional oil.

 

[brian_06328]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Follow the oil life monitor. It's just that simple.


I wish it was that simple for the OCD part of my brain that has to assign a number to the OCI

I think I will stick to the 7500 for now until I can absorb the process, that is actually cutting down my oil expense significantly already. I'm looking forward to cutting open the FL400S at the end to see what it looks like. I recently cut the FL820 from the wife's car after a 5k OCI (in the Tuarus) and I liked the way it looked.

 

[bigt61]

Welcome to the 21st Century. It's a new world, lots of things are different. Less stressful too. If you don't watch the "news" all the time.

 

[brian_06328]

HA I am going kicking and screaming into the high tech new world for sure. I agree with not watching the news, makes me want to find a cave in the mountains and live in it.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I had been doing 7-9k/6mo for my Lexus LS400 with conventional oil since new, when I used synthetic I do 1 year OCI up to 18-20k miles. The engine has more than 370k miles now and run well.

For MB E430 I only use synthetic and OCI is once a year up to 13,xxx miles since new, engine is running very good.

I never do 3k OCI since mid/late '70, minimum was around 5k with dino.

 

[Scum_Frog]

Originally Posted By: ExMachina
Is Ford's OLM finally like GM's OLM? In that it uses actual algorithms based on temperature, engine load, RPMs, counts revs, or at least something similar? Used to be their OLM was just time & mileage, 6 months or 5,000 miles or so.

Found it after all: https://www.lombardfordwarrantys.com/resources/pdf/Intelligent-Oil-Life-Reference-Guide.pdf
So yes, as of 5 years ago they finally caught up with what GM has been doing for 25 years. Theirs is based on algorithms too, so you should be fine following that. Actually using a full synthetic, or going to an Extended Performance version of a full syn, means you are changing your oil a little too soon using Ford's OLM which assumes conventional oil.


Hopefully the next step in the technology development lifecycle of the IOLM is for user input into the type of oil used - Conv, Semi or Syn and the algorithms are adjusted based on the oil type being used.

 

[KitaCam]

I wonder.....

Does the OLM UPDATE ITSELF after a NEW QUART is added to top up after a drop in level....?

My practice has been to top up the level after a drop of 20oz-1qt (4k miles or so) and change the oil when it drops another 20oz-1qt.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted By: KitaCam
Does the OLM UPDATE ITSELF after a NEW QUART is added to top up after a drop in level....?


No, it does not.

 

[dothedrew1202]

I've never gone past 8k on my 13 Ford Explorer and I've used amsoil and mobil ep. This current run I'm at 8.5k and I'm gonna take it to 10k I'm running Napa syn so I'm right there with you on uncharted territory. My Vw I don't mind taking to 10k because it's so expensive to change too often, even diy. I have faith in the olm though.

 

[ExMachina]

OLM's don't take into account extra dust getting in thru the air filter, either because u live in the desert, or your air filter is loose fitting. Also, the engine computer doesn't know when you add oil usaually, unless:
Some OLM's do take adding oil into account though, I think mostly German cars, Mercedes & BMW have sensors in the sump that measure electrical properties whose change over time correlates with coolant contamination, heavy oxidation, fuel dilution, viscosity, and does alert the driver if it senses changes it doesn't like.

 

[Robertslowpoke]

good afternoon brian! what I did to make myself feel better, was go 5,000 miles. mobil one synthetic, 2008 cadillac DTS. sent oil to Blackstone Labs. they did a full test, and gave me all the numbers and levels, and assured me the oil was ok and could have gone farther. i DO have a 7 mile commute, so oil NEVER gets warm enough. the gas and water levels in the oil, were very low. spend the $25, get the oil tested! bob

 

[fdcg27]

The engine in your Focus will run well for a very long time whether you change the oil every 5K, 7.5K or strictly according to the OLM.
The rest of the car will disinegrate around the engine before the engine dies.
Change the oil as often as you like, but rest assured that running longer drains will not reduce the life of your car's engine to the extent that it will not survive the useful life of the car as a whole.
I've had to adjust to this myself and now run drains as long as 9K on our '12 Accord based on the IOLM.

 

[TFB1]

Leseee I changed oil with synthetic and said to myself "well that ought to be good for a year plus"... Self said "OK I can get used to that in a hurry"... Done deal...

 

[virginoil]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Follow the oil life monitor. It's just that simple.


Good response.

Check OLM against OEM user manual extreme driving conditions of use if there is an overriding reason to overrule the OLM.

 

[doublebase]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I had been doing 7-9k/6mo for my Lexus LS400 with conventional oil since new, when I used synthetic I do 1 year OCI up to 18-20k miles. The engine has more than 370k miles now and run well.

For MB E430 I only use synthetic and OCI is once a year up to 13,xxx miles since new, engine is running very good.

I never do 3k OCI since mid/late '70, minimum was around 5k with dino.


A story like yours makes me feel better, I have a LS 460 and I'm currently in uncharted waters (I'm at 8k miles on Mobil 1 EP). I've never gone past 7k miles on synthetic - in fact I'm guilty of dumping it at 5k - but with so many going much further, I said to myself, what not?