oil monitors
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Being an old fart whose seen how fresh oil and filters extends engine life the best monitor is the odometer or in some cases the calendar. 
I "automatically" change my own oil in the driveway every 3-4K miles, almost never going beyond that distance. Since most of my mileage is freeway driving I'd probably be okay to go a bit further but with two 5.4's both with more than 285K miles having had regular oil changes I don't need or want any other sort of monitoring.
Those are gimmicks, almost assuredly intended to scare the unknowing public into the dealership to be ripped off. I don't care for the TPMS either although for drivers who rarely if ever check their tire pressures that might be a good thing.
I "automatically" change my own oil in the driveway every 3-4K miles, almost never going beyond that distance. Since most of my mileage is freeway driving I'd probably be okay to go a bit further but with two 5.4's both with more than 285K miles having had regular oil changes I don't need or want any other sort of monitoring. Those are gimmicks, almost assuredly intended to scare the unknowing public into the dealership to be ripped off. I don't care for the TPMS either although for drivers who rarely if ever check their tire pressures that might be a good thing.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Being an old fart whose seen how fresh oil and filters extends engine life the best monitor is the odometer or in some cases the calendar. I "automatically" change my own oil in the driveway every 3-4K miles, almost never going beyond that distance. Since most of my mileage is freeway driving I'd probably be okay to go a bit further but with two 5.4's both with more than 285K miles having had regular oil changes I don't need or want any other sort of monitoring.
Those are gimmicks, almost assuredly intended to scare the unknowing public into the dealership to be ripped off.
I "automatically" change my own oil in the driveway every 3-4K miles, almost never going beyond that distance. Since most of my mileage is freeway driving I'd probably be okay to go a bit further but with two 5.4's both with more than 285K miles having had regular oil changes I don't need or want any other sort of monitoring.Those are gimmicks, almost assuredly intended to scare the unknowing public into the dealership to be ripped off.
Some people change their own oil. Some people go to the dealer or quikie lube. Who does what is completely independent of the oil life monitor.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,865
Likes: 497
I've got a free oil change coupon from the dealership. Haven't been able to bring myself to use it. New car. 1st oil change free at dealership. I did the second oil change. Then car was there for some unrelated warranty / TSB work, and they changed it free again. I did the next oil change myself, because I also wanted to drain & fill the transmission. Now they give me another goodwill coupon. Probably trying to hook me into a trade-in while the car is only 3 years old, so that they can maximize the resale residual. Convince me that now is the best time for a trade-in, as payments on the next car will be even lower. I wish they would let me cash in the coupon and just walk away from the dealership with the oil & filter, so that I can change it at home.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Regardless what motivation Ford or any other manufacturer has for adding these so-called monitors the speculation its intended to drive customers back to the dealership. Whether that's just to dig into the customer's pocket for service or spur a conversation about buying something newer it doesn't matter to me---being a bit beyond believing every bit of dealership tripe how my vehicles should be maintained and how much that costs me such features are unnecessary and unwanted---by me if no one else.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
You are, of course, entitled to your own opinion. But I will point out that your opinion is all based on speculation and your vibrant imagination and it wholly without a shred of factual support.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,865
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The sophisticated algorithm is still guesswork. If your filter media fails, and the bypass valve is working, there probably won't be any detectable change in oil pressure. The oil doesn't get checked at all. Essentially, the car's computer is saying, "based on your driving, it's time to change the oil". I haven't heard of a case where someone following the IOLM got a used oil analysis, and the oil was completely depleted.
In my opinion, having the IOLM, for most people, is better than the sticker on the windshield. For someone who changes oil based on personal belief, they can distrust the IOLM, and stay on the oil change intervals they believe is working. It's not like that guy is doing damage by too many oil changes.
For me, it's a good reference point. Maybe I will drive across the country and back, put 6,000 miles of freeway driving on in a couple of weeks, and change the oil to make me feel better about it; even though the IOLM did not activate. Or maybe I will drive the car less than 5,000 annually, the IOLM activates in a year, but I won't change the oil until I get 5,000 out of it.
In my opinion, having the IOLM, for most people, is better than the sticker on the windshield. For someone who changes oil based on personal belief, they can distrust the IOLM, and stay on the oil change intervals they believe is working. It's not like that guy is doing damage by too many oil changes.
For me, it's a good reference point. Maybe I will drive across the country and back, put 6,000 miles of freeway driving on in a couple of weeks, and change the oil to make me feel better about it; even though the IOLM did not activate. Or maybe I will drive the car less than 5,000 annually, the IOLM activates in a year, but I won't change the oil until I get 5,000 out of it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Not entirely.
I saw an article about how GM developed its OLM. Lots of engine run time, both in the lab and on the road, followed by UOAs, engine teardowns and measurements.
So quite a bit of real world experience is written into those algorithms. They are not just darts on a dartboard.
I saw an article about how GM developed its OLM. Lots of engine run time, both in the lab and on the road, followed by UOAs, engine teardowns and measurements.
So quite a bit of real world experience is written into those algorithms. They are not just darts on a dartboard.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
But I supposed with your overwhelmingly impressive knowledge of oil monitoring I'll have to re-think so much now.........
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
I suggest that you try it before forming an opinion.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
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From: Maine, Virginia
The OLM and TPMS are there for the people who gas up and drive absent minded of the fact that maintenance must be performed in order to protect their investment.
Ford is very proud of the OLM and the "up to" 10,000 mile dump cycle on the F-series trucks as in their own words, fewer oil changes reduces the cost of ownership.
If you're the type of person who follows the OLM and you trade / sell your truck every 100,000 miles, you're looking at 10 oil changes and at today's dealership price, that's $39.00 per visit or $390.00 over your ownership experience.
Yes, somewhat gimmicky but helpful.
Ford is very proud of the OLM and the "up to" 10,000 mile dump cycle on the F-series trucks as in their own words, fewer oil changes reduces the cost of ownership.
If you're the type of person who follows the OLM and you trade / sell your truck every 100,000 miles, you're looking at 10 oil changes and at today's dealership price, that's $39.00 per visit or $390.00 over your ownership experience.
Yes, somewhat gimmicky but helpful.
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