I like FordPass for some things, but I don't trust it enough to keep my records. It could go away at any time, and all history could be lost. Every dealer service record for my 3 Ford vehicles that I have in FordPass, is generic with no details. They are simply listed as "Unknown Service" or "Multiple Services" with a date. There are no details listed, other than the date and occasionally the mileage. I keep all my paper receipts in a folder and log anything I do with at least some details. At least I know where they are and can review a vehicle's entire maintenance history easily. My job has me on computers 10 hours a day, and on my phone beyond that, so I'm not anti-technology. But I won't trust a free app to maintain my records when that same app can't consistently start or lock my vehicle but can give me erroneous messages daily at times. It's a free app and worth every penny.

 

I've kept an .xls spreadsheet for decades. I'll start using FordPass manual updates as well for this new truck. That way there is a 'timestamp' of when said maintenance was performed.

I performed all my maintenance on my 2018 F-150 before the recommended intervals.

Engine oil
Transmission service
Differential service

When I sold it, the dealer could of cared less about my .xls records. They said they can tell it was very well taken care of and that was enough.

Anyway, I'll do both FordPass and the detailed .xls

 

I got the app. It had my other services etc. I added yesterdays oil change cost etc. not a bad little feature. I never saw how to lock unlock or remote start yet. But I don’t know if my xl base model would have any of that anyway. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

I also keep a paper record just in case. With the app any Ford service department can enter your vin and see all the records.

​​​​ Denny

 

I used to do all of my own maintenance. That said, I started analyzing the cost to benefit ratio and with our local dealer charging me 54 bucks for the oil change which includes checking and topping off all fluids along with tire rotation, it just doesn't make sense to do it myself. By the time I go and purchase the oil (8 quarts synthetic), oil filter etc etc, change the oil, take the oil back for disposal, I am darned close to spending 54 bucks. And that doesn't even account for the time involved including rotating the tires. So THAT is why some of us allow for the dealer to perform this service.

 

I've read let them also wash your vehicle and you might get a loaner and paint job. 😉

 

I bet you could get it done for the same money if you used the same level of care the dealer is likely to lavish on your expensive machine...

Neither of our vehicles have been to the dealer for anything. I rely on my vehicle in remote places and while any new car could leave you for dead due to electronics, what I can see and check I like to. next weekend my truck will get a service. 5k mile oil change and tire rotation. I will probably do a cabin filter and engine air filter since I did those at 20k and I am at 40k now in just shy of a year of ownership. I will inspect everything I can put my hands on and still only spend a couple of hours on a Saturday.

I am not worried about the cost of the service but the quality of the service and inspection done.

 

I forget that these trucks have cabin filters, I guess at near 70k miles now I should find it and replace it.

 

In the lower glove box, easy to do. Do not go for the Bosch Hepa replacement unless you do not mind reduced airflow. I have one of those now, going back to the standard Motrocraft filter.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I actually did search in the owners manual this morning for the location. Next weeks trip out for work I'll see if I can find a filter and change it out.

 

As with just about every service, you get what you pay for. The reasons these dealers blow smoke up their customers rear ends is because 99.9% of the customers that rely on them for service and advice are clueless in the first place.

I own a shop and only take on fleet contracts from local businesses I have a personal relationship with. My shop rate is $200.00per hour. I can just about do an oil change for $100 minimum on the most basic gasoline engine trucks I service. My customers pay me a premium over other service providers because thats what it costs for me to put them first and take care of them as I would my own. If a vehicle is not in my care from day one I refuse to service it because of all the carelessness of other service providers, over torqued bolts, stripped bolts, loose bolts, aftermarket parts, parts left off, sub par repairs in general.

 

I drop my truck off at 7 am for an oil change and tire rotation at my local Ford dealer. I go to coffee with the guys. 8:30 am, my truck is done.

 

Yes they speak to people like they are dumb. I have a local shop down the road it’s a true country shop 4 generation going. When you walk in it’s like family. I am no mechanic but I did a lot of basic work myself on my 1994 ford and my 1978. Whenever I was having a hard time trying to trouble shoot something I would drive down and ask him when he could get to it. 99% of the time he would say have you tried this or that and if I had not he would say go try this so you can save money. He charged very far rates and I would not hesitate to have him do anything for me. I broke a bolt off on water pump and he came to the house tapped it out for me . He is basically a neighbor and i payed him and he didn’t want it. But I figured his time was money. He has dropped by when I was servicing my old trucks and just drive up and start helping. He loves that my youngest daughters crawl up in and under the truck to help daddy. Of course in the 1978 both kids can play a board game as i replaced the heads and still have room for a game of jacks. She is 11 now but when she was 8 i had the fan off and belts and loosened up the bolts for water pump and thermostat on the old 351m and gave her an hour and she had it off old gasket removed and cleaned up so shiny you could see your reflection. I was digging fence post holes and was amazed she had finished. So at dark i had to get it back together so we could take a drive to the ice cream shop lol 😂

 

I could handle that. But 3.5 to 4 hrs and talked to like I am an idiot or watch them blow smoke or treat an elderly person so disrespectful I could no longer deal with. I will just change oil and filter and plugs et all myself. It doesn’t take long and heck I can let the kids help so they keep learning new things.

 

I am not a patient person and I hate waiting. Buy yourself a dozen oil filters off the internet, and get your oil at Walmart. Save yourself 4 hours and a bunch of $$.