Whats the longest some of you have gone before your change oil message has come on? The owners manual says it may be as long as 10k , depending on driving habits . I'm over that amount , mostly hiway miles , no notice yet , but I'm going to change oil anyway as this amount of time between oil changes makes me nervous . Dipstick says okay , just worried some oil viscosity sensor thingy may be malfunctioning....
2012 oil change message
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I bought a TC [see left panel] new. Oil change interval is 7500 miles [you got to be kidding!]
A Ford mechanic once said to me, if you want that engine to last, change oil at 3000 miles. I need the TC to last to 500,000 miles!
At one point in the literature Ford says the TC can last up to 150,000 miles [at 7500 mile oil change] What do you think the engine is good for if the oil change is at 3000 miles?
Now if one gets a car and will dump it at 100,000 miles, alright go with recommended oil change interval
A Ford mechanic once said to me, if you want that engine to last, change oil at 3000 miles. I need the TC to last to 500,000 miles!
At one point in the literature Ford says the TC can last up to 150,000 miles [at 7500 mile oil change] What do you think the engine is good for if the oil change is at 3000 miles?
Now if one gets a car and will dump it at 100,000 miles, alright go with recommended oil change interval
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yeah but 10k is the cut off, if you saw what your oil looked like when its draining after 10k its not pretty, even in a new car on full syntec i wouldnt go over 5k, my st is almost at 80k now and i change it every 4000 since i do alot of stop and go
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Oil is changed a LOT more than needed, EXCEPT for those who NEVER bother to even check the level....
As long as there is oil in the engine, it probably WON'T break because of an oil issue...
On the other hand, I got into the habit of fall & spring changes, just so it doesn't get forgotten - and a little extra TLC keeps the vehicles running indefinitely....
Luck!
As long as there is oil in the engine, it probably WON'T break because of an oil issue...
On the other hand, I got into the habit of fall & spring changes, just so it doesn't get forgotten - and a little extra TLC keeps the vehicles running indefinitely....
Luck!
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44,595 Posts
Oil is changed a LOT more than needed, EXCEPT for those who NEVER bother to even check the level....
As long as there is oil in the engine, it probably WON'T break because of an oil issue...
On the other hand, I got into the habit of fall & spring changes, just so it doesn't get forgotten - and a little extra TLC keeps the vehicles running indefinitely....
Luck!
As long as there is oil in the engine, it probably WON'T break because of an oil issue...
On the other hand, I got into the habit of fall & spring changes, just so it doesn't get forgotten - and a little extra TLC keeps the vehicles running indefinitely....
Luck!
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772 Posts
We are coming to the conclusion the oil change monitor doesn't work on the 2012 Focus. There are multiple people over 10K miles with no warning, which is the max interval. I have 9400 miles with no warning. Problem is that the interval is so long and according to Ford it's varaible with miles, time elapsed, and use it's hard to diagnose why it's not working.
There is no sensor its just an algorithm in the computer that tries to guess when the oil should be changed depending on ambient temps, engine temp, speed and other things like that. GM has used a similar system since the 1970's with no increase in oil related engine failures. However lately they have had timing chain issue with certain model year vehicles (chevy traverse is one) due to the computer letting the cars go too long before triggering a oil change light. They were issued a TSB to recalibrate the computer to disalllow this.
arrrgh.
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1,129 Posts
yeah in the fiesta/focus its pretty stupid plus people coming in think the wrench light is on -____- and leaving oil in for that many miles causes sludge build up, maybe not much but over time it will hurt the motor
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Hi Fumey,
Definitely mention it to your dealer so they can make sure everything is functioning correctly. Also, Please PM me your VIN, contact information, mileage, & servicing dealer name/state so I can help. [
]Hey csvt2060,
I'm only seeing one poster with concerns, so if you notice anyone else, feel free to direct them my way and I'll assist. Since yours isn't quite there yet, there's nothing to worry about, but let me know if it doesn't light on your Focus. Thanks!
~Natasha
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772 Posts
Will do.
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That panel comes off pretty easily, just a bunch of screws to undo. My Jetta has similar sound deadening panel so I'm used to it. Once its off, oil change is really easy.
Regarding intervals, my '05 ST has 205,000 miles on it and I used Mobil 1 and a 10,000 mile interval. Burns no oil at all, oil even comes out pretty clean. On the 2012, I changed the oil the first time at 5,000 and am watching the level since it seems to be using some. Totally different from the '05 which does not use any at all over 10k mile interval. So far I have 3,000 miles after the change and it has used half a qt. which seems excessive to me.
Regarding intervals, my '05 ST has 205,000 miles on it and I used Mobil 1 and a 10,000 mile interval. Burns no oil at all, oil even comes out pretty clean. On the 2012, I changed the oil the first time at 5,000 and am watching the level since it seems to be using some. Totally different from the '05 which does not use any at all over 10k mile interval. So far I have 3,000 miles after the change and it has used half a qt. which seems excessive to me.
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Nobody is kidding about a 7500 mile oil change interval, if it was a diesel you could go even further provided the oil was clean. The API sticker on the back of motor oils certifies that the oil will last 7500 miles without losing viscosity under normal operating conditions. If the engine is overheated, then oil should be changed. I change my oil when it's dirty on both of our vehicles, but that's likely to be closer to 5k miles than 10k miles. I use Ford's oil.
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772 Posts
Natasha,
Here are 2 posts from seperate owners that have over 10,000 miles without seeing the oil change message. I have 9,800 miles on mine now with no message so I am getting close.
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3894444&postcount=32
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3895681&postcount=49
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