I have a 2012 F250 with about 125k miles on it. For the last 2 years I have left the display on that shows the oil and transmission temperatures. No matter how hot it got last summer (over 100 multiple times) and if I was towing or not, the oil consistently ranges up to 203 degrees and the transmission typically stays below 201. Yesterday it was 90 degrees and I was towing a 5x14 livestock trailer (empty) and the temps would sit at 208/197 and up to 210/201 when climbing hills. Just last week I had a full dealer service, new fuel filter, air filter, Xmax additive, oil change, etc. Coolant is good, no leaks or strange noises. Is the truck just "aging"? Or should I be looking for some problem?
Thanks.

 

Just what is Xmax additive, and why would you use it?

 

Sorry - fat fingers. zMax.

zMAX quart for auto engine fuel trans | zMax Micro-lubricant

 

Mine goes over your "normal" temps all the time. They seem kinda low for towing in high temps. 210 oil is nothing to fret over.

 

I see no issue here. I routinely run those temps and more.

You can verify there are no obstructions to your radiators but I really don't see an issue with those temp.

 

I hear what you guys are saying- I'm just saying that the truck has not run at these temps before- even during hotter weather and under a heavier load. The operating temperatures are increasing- even though it is only slightly. I was just wondering if anyone else had seen this over the life of their truck.

 

A lot of times we don't pay attention until we "mess" with something. I suspect that this is the case with your temp observations. Mine has always showed those temps while towing, along with others. Not sure why yours would cool better than the rest of us, unless you got a feel Good Friday built truck haha

 

Did the dealer flash the calibration? My gut reaction is that you will never know what/if anything changed. Too small of a difference to be worried about. I've learned with these diesels over the years that they dont alway act the same day in/day out like a gas engine does. Some days mine is noisier than others, etc. That used to worry me, just because it was "different". Now, until I see if bleeding from somewhere, or a light come on, I dont worry about it.

 

I had attributed it to the aging process- haven't "messed" with anything. It's been a great truck, and I've had the maintenance schedule followed throughout it's life.
I'm not alarmed, just wondering. As I said, it is a variance from "normal" in the 5+ years I've owned it.

 

I wanted to add a comment just related to zMax. In the internet age where research is so easy, I didn't know this was still a thing. Always thought this was a product invented to enrich Bruton Smith and Carroll Shelby with little scientific backing of this modern day snake oil. I could be way off base here and feel free to blast me if I am. I have never added products from this aisle of the auto parts store to any vehicle that I have owned.

PM22/23 are the only oil or fuel additive that I use because it's suggested by Ford to use them.


bruce...

 

Zmax is part of the "enhanced" service package offered by the dealer. It's just one of the additional things they provide when you pay for the top-tier service package- they also include Rain-X treatment, detailing, etc. etc.