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Fiesta Oil Life Monitoring System

19 messages,  Last post on Jan 31, 2012 at 5:07 PM

You are in the Ford Fiesta Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Fiesta, Engine, Oil, Scheduled Maintenance, Hatchback

Messages Page 2 of 2

#10 of 19 Re: Fiesta Oil Life Monitoring System [adaema05] by iamz

Jul 27, 2011 (7:30 am)

Replying to: adaema05 (Jul 26, 2011 6:50 pm)
"I received an e-mail from my Ford dealer reminding me it's time for my 5k service. I bet Ford is officially revising their maintenance intervals for the Fiesta (10k intervals according to the manual) and that's why I received the e-mail. "
 
That has nothing to do with Ford. That notice strictly comes from your dealer. Your dealer makes twice as much money by having you come in every 5k.

#11 of 19 Fiesta Oil Life Monitoring System by obkt

Oct 05, 2011 (3:22 pm)

Funny thing happened with my monitoring system. 0n 9-30-2011 it flagged me saying that I needed an oil change. My car only has 3200 miles on it. My manual says that the oil change needed to be done at 10000 or ONE YEAR. I checked the data plate and sure enough. My car was built on 9-30-2010. That monitoring system should have been reset at the dealership when I bought the car. I wonder how many people have gone in and got a needless oil change.

#12 of 19 Owner's Manual Error - resetting the OLMS by dpriven

Oct 12, 2011 (1:18 am)

My change-oil light came on, though I had the oil changed at about 6000 miles. I followed the instructions in my manual, but they were wrong.
 
To reset the OLMS: Turn your car key to the on position, without starting the car. Hold down the brakes and accelerator for 20+ seconds.
 
The manual says to do that in the accessory position, and that doesn't work.

#13 of 19 Re: Fiesta Oil Life Monitoring System [obkt] by hackattack5

Dec 29, 2011 (5:48 pm)

Replying to: obkt (Oct 05, 2011 3:22 pm)
Next time you take it in for an oil change talk to the service adviser about 10,000 mile oil changes. He will tell you that it is a sales pitch and if it was 100% highway miles that it might be OK. I myself will stick to 3500-4000 mile oil changes. After all the oil sludge problems that all manufactures had with 4 cylinder engines I think my $30.00 oil change 4 times a year is well worth it. They recycle the oil now so its not so bad.

#14 of 19 Re: Fiesta Oil Life Monitoring System [adaema05] by rpc81053

Jan 01, 2012 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: adaema05 (Jul 03, 2011 9:32 pm)
The 3,000 mile oil change is the biggest fraud going! Who's been pushing this scam? Oil and oil filter manufacturers. Do the SMART thing: follow your car's owner's manual.

#15 of 19 Re: Fiesta Oil Life Monitoring System [rpc81053] by adaema05

Jan 01, 2012 (9:35 pm)

Replying to: rpc81053 (Jan 01, 2012 7:21 pm)
I think changing the oil every 5k is the best compromise for the Fiesta. I don't think it's good to wait until 10k or the oil light goes on before changing. So far I've changed the oil only once on my Fiesta, and in about a month or so will take it in for the 10k service (I'm currently at around 8.7k). It's also a good idea to check your oil periodically to see how much it has darkened since the last oil change.

#16 of 19 Quit guessing - get your oil analyzed by iamz

Jan 02, 2012 (7:24 am)

I sent my oil out for analysis after 8k miles and was told it was still fine and I could even go to 9k. I do mostly highway driving which is pretty easy on oil. On the negative side, I drive in extreme temperatures from well below 0 F up to near 100 F. That particular sample had mostly cold, winter driven miles on it but was ran throughout the entire summer also. So, for my driving, it represented a worst case scenario.
 
I will now continue to change it at 8k intervals. I'm using Mobil1 5w-20 and Fords filter.
 
For the cost of an oil change, anyone can have their oil analyzed and know just how far they can drive between oil changes.
 
Guessing is for amateurs.

#17 of 19 Re: Quit guessing - get your oil analyzed [iamz] by xwesx

Jan 02, 2012 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: iamz (Jan 02, 2012 7:24 am)
That's great advice.
 
As long as you keep your parameters the same (same type of oil, grade, etc), a group of three analyses (while costing about the same as an oil change) will help you determine the best interval for your vehicle. Once you've established a baseline, you don't need to continue the analyses unless something changes.
 
That way, you're not guessing at the intervals, wasting oil, or potentially damaging the engine.

#18 of 19 Re: Quit guessing - get your oil analyzed [iamz] by hackattack5

Jan 30, 2012 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: iamz (Jan 02, 2012 7:24 am)
iamz:
That sounds like a great idea. Who did you send your oil to for analysis? My Fiesta is a 5 speed manual and it runs 3100 rpm at 70MPH and I heard the 6 speed auto is only at 2600 rpm 70MPH so I might need to change my oil sooner than you

#19 of 19 Re: Quit guessing - get your oil analyzed [hackattack5] by iamz

Jan 31, 2012 (5:07 pm)

Replying to: hackattack5 (Jan 30, 2012 2:50 pm)
Google "Blackstone Labs".
 
I'm sure there are other places that do oil analysis but most people and businesses seem to use Blackstone. They will send you a sample container for you to use and mail back to them. They charge $25 for a basic analysis but I would really recommend paying the extra $10 for a TBN count.
 
Read over their site so you understand what numbers are important. It wouldn't hurt to vist "Bob's the Oil Guy" web site and read a few of the discussions there too.

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