My new to me 2011 Explorer is displaying Change oil soon message. I looked in the owners manual to find out how the system works. But their is nothing in the manual. Does anybody know how the system works. Is it by miles, or some sort of sensor?

 

The system will monitor the need to change your oil primarily by mileage but will also take into consideration climate, driving speeds, idling and speeds you drive.

 

Under normal driving conditions, I believe you can go as far as 10,000 miles before you need to change the oil. Look at the manual. My 2012 Explorer currently has 5,400 miles and light has not turned on.

 

I don't trust those "gadgets".

 

Here's a pretty good article from Edmund's / Inside Line on the Oil Life Monitor and how it works / what it monitors:

2012 Ford Explorer XLT EcoBoost: Oil Change Interval

This is for the 2012 models but I think it's the same for the '11 models as well.

 

Is anyone here going to follow the oil life monitor's recommendation or will you be monitoring the oil the old fashion way? The service advisor I spoke to at my local dealership said it was up to me if I want base my oil changes by what the computer tells me, but then he told me I have a huge investment on my hands (sounds like he tried to warn me). My Explorer has approximately 6200 miles now. Oil life is down to 39%, so it's getting there. I read the Edmunds article which clearly implies that you really can't go wrong with the intelligent oil life monitor. What do you guys think?

 

My dealer told me the same thing on my truck. He recommended 5K oil changes at the dealer of course. I've settled into a 7500 mile oil change interval on mine.

 

When considering when to change the oil...remember this advisory from Ford.

"Failure to perform scheduled maintenance as specified in the Service Guide may result in voiding the New Vehicle Limited Warranty"

 

Some of these new car schedules are a little ambiguous though. For instance, the 2011 F-150's can go up to 10K miles between changes.

Then for severe duty there is another schedule and then if the oil change reminder in the dash fails, default back to 5K mile oil changes. Now t his may seem like it's all explained clearly BUT, if an "in warranty" oil related engine failure should occur, Ford just might deny the claim.

 

That's correct Tim...the language is designed to let Ford off the hook in case of an oil related failure. The monitors are an important part of this strategy.

I've always been of the school that over maintains rather that under maintains. Think of how much money you could lose for want of a $35 oil change.

 

Ken, I completely agree with you and that's why I'm proceeding on the side of caution. I intend to have my dealer do all of my F-150 oil changes as the 3.5L is fairly new to the stable. I'm not a man of wealth, patience or political correctness. If this comes apart on me, Ford is paying, period.