Does Ford's engine oil change system operate, does it go on mileage, viscosity, runtime? Curious because, I have one of the 2018 5.0 oil consumers. I am meticulous for changing my oil and filter every 5k miles, all the while keeping my eye on oil level through the period between changes, usually adding 2-3 quarts between changes. I drive her hard, and haul equipment and horses weekly, roughly about 7-k pounds. I always reset my oil life monitor and usually at about about 5k miles I have about 20-39% oil life left, however this go around it was saying "change engine oil now" at 4k miles. So I'm confused on what dictates the oil change monitor. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 2018 F150 SC LARIAT 5.0 4X4 75K MILES

 

From my observation, it goes by some algorithm that combines mileage, hours, and calendar time. During the pandemic, my OLM squawked when I hit 12 months, and other times when I was driving more, it would roughly align with engine hours/mileage.

 

Chris,
If you are interested in how I stopped my oil usage and got the engine noise down very low, get to me by Pm or whatever.
It appears Iam the only one who has done it because the discovery phase took some time from multiple sources to find the root cause and what might be done be done, that worked for me, that no one comes close to believing due to closed minds and lack of in-depth thinking.
I enjoy a nice quiet 5L 2018 and no oil passage from 50k to the present 81+k miles.
I just got tired of sparing with all the so-called experts on multiple boards, that don't have a clue.
I offer this because, passing oil continually very likely kill your Cats and Ox Sensors, eventually.
BTW, I'm retired and do not sell or intentionally promote any product for any gain.
Good luck, in any case.
.

 

I appreciate the information, I was hopeful it would be a simpler program or formula (something I could figure) but looks and sounds too complicated for this little brain. One more question, is there help for the 5.0 consuming (not in the conventional manner lol) oil at such a rate as I am? The engine doesn't leak a drop, no smoke, or soot on exhaust, the oil just disappears with no outward sign of doing so other than the dipstick. Am I just tasked with adding oil throughout my ownership of this truck or is Ford doing anything and if so what can I do on my end to push this issue? I have an aftermarket, but through a dealership, extended warranty covering engine and drivetrain to 125k miles. Currently have 75k. Thanks in advance

 

Sir, I am ALL ears. I don't know how to PM you though. Chris Hum is my name email address is or call or text Thanks for reaching out.

 

I will offer the basics.
The cylinder liners are Plasma Sprayed onto the Alum Block and bore size finished.
That finish is too Porous that results in holding too much oil. A quality control problem.
The Ring Pak cannot handle the volume of oil along with oil being Nozzle sprayed to the bottoms of the pistons.
The results of this is two paths oil is lost to the combustion process.
A. By the Ring Pak on the intake vacuum stroke.
B. By increased blow-by Crankcase pressures during the combustion stroke that sends oil mist out through the PCV system to the Throttle Body and back to the combustion process and out the exhaust and through the Cats.
.
What to do about this?
Back at the cylinder lining Porosity, try an oil additive that will fill in the excess liner Porosity.
That additive is Moly Disulfide marketed by as M0S2 in a can.
What does it do?
a. Fills in the liner voids.
b. is a very slippery crystalline metal that does no harm due to it's special properties.
c. Results in Ring oil hydraulic seal, reduces friction.
.
If added to oil, allow some 5k miles to begin filling, the liner if it is going to work.
For more info on this, look up the Shaffer Oil website and read about Moly. There are other info sites on the same subject that will offer the same info in greater technical depth.
The benefit to the rest of the engine is noise reduction between the Moly coated parts plus reduced wear.
I now suspect that the VCT Phasers will live longer as a result.
.
I begin at oil changes with 7 qts not 8.8, and add one can additive each time to the normal MC 5W20 Blend oil >>now that usage has stopped.
To begin this process, watch the oil level very often so it does not get out of sight on the dip stick until you detect the usage is beginning to lessen.
The Moly is naturally Black in color so will make new oil look dark. This in not of any significance
For $10 off the shelf, you can't do any harm but try it.
None of the dealer efforts can address the root cause. No TSB, no PCV change, no dipstick change is all foolishness and a poor attempt at cover up.
Not every engine has the issue but those that got built with the liner problem all because they were not checked closely enough after the Bores were finished. The Plasma Spray-in cannot be rebuilt by normal means. The bores are larger resulting in engine displacement over 5L and different piston size. Only way is to bore the block and install iron liners and new pistons.
This is the major mfger issue for warrantee.
Come back and let us know how it turn's out. With the way you use your truck, it should show results faster.
Good luck.

 

There was a German car shop on my route that advertised Liquid Moly quite heavily. The owner was trying to convince me to add to my Ecoboost but I'm not losing oil so I never did.

Personally, I think it's worth a try.

 

Please, for bots sake, remove this info.

 

x2

Currently, whenever I get the oil changed in my 2.7l EcoBoost I pay extra to have an oil supplement added to the crankcase. I suppose it's mostly snake oil, but I'd never run Rotella T4 15W-40 in my EcoBoost (which is what I run in my other vehicles).

https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/category/engine/

 

How does Ford's change oil function, how does it know?

On my ancient '09, it monitors miles (7500) and time (6 months).. I know newer ones have a more involved / elaborate algorithm.


OUCH!!, what a hassle..... I thought my '68 Pontiac using a quart between changes was bad...

I've changed the oil & filter (full synthetic 5W30) @ <= 5K miles, ever since I get her new...('09 4.6l 3V, 141K miles) I routinely pull a car hauler. In the winter it gets below zero up here in the north. As a habit I check the oil @ each fill up --- never need to add any..

In fact the ONLY vehicle in our current 'fleet" (of 6) that needs any oil between changes in the newest, the wife's '14 Subaru (2.5l H4, 110K miles), it needs 1/2 quart at around 3.5K, then I change it @ 5K. It has used that same amount (of oil) since we got it new. According to the Subaru forums, this oil usage is normal.. (no drips in the driveway, so I guess this alleged "low emission vehicle" puts burned oil in the air) .