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One Smart Feature – Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor™ (IOLM)

With the IOLM, there’s no more guessing when your vehicle needs an oil change.
More than likely, if you stayed on top of your required maintenance duties, you’ve changed your oil every 3,000 or 5,000 miles. With the introduction of the IOLM, now you’ll be able to take your vehicle in for an oil change based on actual operating conditions.
What the IOLM measures to determine when an oil change is needed

Several key factors that affect oil life include:

  • Driving habits (such as towing and workload)
  • Hours in operation and at idle
  • Oil and coolant temperature
  • Engine speed and torque
  • Diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleaning cycles
How the IOLM works

The IOLM does not use oil quality sensors – it is entirely software-based and uses actual engine operating conditions to calculate the oil change interval by using an algorithm. This means the system must be reset after an oil change. Not doing so will result in a premature OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message.

The frequency of oil changes

Depending on driving conditions, oil change intervals are approximately:

  • Up to 10,000 miles - Normal commuting with highway driving
  • 5,000 – 7,500 miles - Trailer tow/high-load driving
  • 3,000 – 5,000 miles - Short trip usage, extreme cold or hot temperature

NOTE: Actual mileage will depend on your specific driving conditions.

Under normal conditions, you will get an OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message at up to 1 year, or 10,000 miles from the previous oil change.

What the IOLM tells you

You’ll find a display in your instrument cluster’s message center that will notify you of oil change intervals by displaying ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED. The system will also indicate when fuel filters need maintenance, or if fuel pressure is low.*

*Refer to owner’s guide for specific applications.

Synthetic oil and the IOLM

Ford engines have been tested using Motorcraft® Synthetic Blended Oils. If you do use synthetic oil, it needs to meet the Ford specifications for motor oil and the specific oil weight as indicated in the owner’s guide. Ford still recommends using the oil change service intervals as indicated by the IOLM.

Vehicles that will get the IOLM

The IOLM will be available on most vehicles under 8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and the all-new 2011 model year 6.7L Power Stroke® Diesel on the Super Duty® model. That translates into over 90 percent of the 2011 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sold.

For in-depth details about the IOLM, please refer to your owner’s guide and diesel supplement.

Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.

Maintenance Tips

Recommended cleaning products

The following products are all available from Motorcraft®:
  • Bug and Tar Remover
  • Detail Wash
  • Premium Liquid Wax
  • Custom Bright Metal Cleaner
  • Exterior Lacquer Touch-Up Paints
  • Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner
  • Dusting Cloths
  • Spot and Stain Remover
  • Dash and Vinyl Cleaner
  • Custom Vinyl Protectant
  • Deluxe Leather and Vinyl Cleaner
  • Deluxe Leather Care Kit
  • Engine Shampoo and Degreaser
HAVE YOUR BATTERY TESTED. FREE.
HAVE YOUR BATTERY TESTED. FREE.
Be sure you have the starting power you need.
Expires 5/31/2013
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