What is the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor System (IOLM) in my Ford?
Your Ford may be fitted with an Intelligent Oil Life Monitoring (IOLM) system. This smart system calculates the remaining life of your vehicle’s oil. The system uses information from the Powertrain Control Module and an algorithm to calculate when your engine oil needs to be changed thereby ensuring you get maximum value The oil change interval is calculated based upon the vehicle operating conditions and can range from (5000 to 30000 km) depending on the vehicle operating conditions and engine.
***International model shown, local specs and intervals may vary. Video used for illustrative purposes only.
The system uses the Digital Cluster in the vehicle and can also be deployed via a notification in the FordPass App (if activated) to display when the oil needs to be changed:
- "ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON" at 5% oil life remaining
- "OIL CHANGE REQUIRED" at 0% oil life remaining
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 algorithm takes into account the following factors like driving conditions (towing/load), Idle time and temperature.
The IOLM adjusts the oil change interval according to how the customer operates their vehicle. It uses the engine operating conditions to precisely calculate the required oil change intervals. The customer’s actual engine oil change interval will depend on the following operating conditions:
When to expect the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED Message | |
Interval | Vehicle Use and Example |
Greater than 15,000 km | Optimal |
Highway driving at moderate, regular speeds Avoidance of high revs after cold starts Avoidance of engine idling Use of Eco mode in vehicle, if equipped. | |
12,000–15,000 km | Normal |
Normal commuting with highway driving. Unladen to moderate loads. Flat to moderately hilly roads. | |
8,000–12,000 km | Severe |
City stop-start driving. Short Journeys. Moderate to maximum load and towing. Mountainous or off-road conditions. Extended idling. High proportion of short journeys less than 10km or less than 15 minutes duration, particularly starting from a cold engine. | |
Up to 8,000 km | Extreme |
Multi-drop City Stop/Start driving. Speed controlled sites such as airports. | |
If the information display resets prematurely or becomes inoperative, the oil change interval is recommended at six months or 8,000 kilometers from the last oil change. Never exceed one year or 16,000 kilometers between oil change intervals. Diesel engines may differ, please refer to the Owner's manual.
Information in how to reset the IOLM can be found in the Owner's Manual in the Maintenance section.
For specific information on a vehicle, select the vehicle model from the Owner's Manual Information section below, and we will search the relevant Owner's manual for you. You can also get in contact with your preferred Ford Dealership.
To locate your Owner's Manual in the FordPass App, please go to 'Vehicle Details > Vehicle Support' Section.
Click here for more information.
Additional Topics
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