How often should the oil be changed?

Your motor oil should be changed every 10,000 - 20,000 kms, depending on your vehicle’s model year and driving conditions. Newer models are launched with a standardized 15,000 kms oil change interval. Most Ford vehicles have an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor that can help you keep track of when an oil change is needed. Exceeding the recommended service interval can cause significant damage to your engine! 

Important additives in synthetic oil can begin to break down very quickly after the service recommendation. Anti-oxidants and anti-wear additives breaking down can allow sludge to form within the engine, preventing the proper circulation and flow of oil to key areas such as bearings and fluid galleries. Viscosity modifiers also break down after being exposed to high temperatures (higher than planned temperatures occur in an engine when the lubrication isn't working as designed, increasing the friction internally) and become less effective at keeping fast moving, fine tolerance metal surfaces away from one another. Detergents and solvents degrade quickly after the service schedule which prevents them from being able to wash away carbon and soot from building up in the engine. Oil changes also provide a way of flushing contaminants in the engine such as metallic debris, carbon build-up from unburnt fuel and dirt from the engine, so delaying the oil change continues to circulate these contaminates around the engine doing further damage. 

Between changes, your vehicle’s oil level can drop a small amount within the normal range. However, if it drops to the “MIN” mark or lower between oil changes, you should take the vehicle to your local dealership and let the factory trained technicians inspect it to determine the cause.

Regular Oil Change Schedule

Your Service Portfolio or service booklet, found in the glove compartment of your vehicle, will also give you an indication of when your next Scheduled Service is due. Your local dealership can provide factory trained technicians and the right parts to ensure the correct services are performed on your vehicle to maximise its service life.

Additional Information

Checking and Adding Engine Oil
Engine Oil Specification
Cost of a Ford Service