Maintenance Plan Question

[Howie411]

So I got a 3 year 45,000 mile maintenance plan from Ford (Long story but it was free). It says on it 5k intervals on it. Isn't the Hybrid every 10k on oil change etc? Does this mean I just need to go more often (since Ford is paying for it)? What other benefits am I getting from this plan other then oil changes and tire rotations.

 

 

[acdii]

Free oil changes and tire rotations? Cool. It may also include air filters and wipers.

[hybridbear]

If they're offering you free oil changes every 5k miles I'd go that often. Changing oil more often than the 10k interval is only bad for your wallet normally. Since these are free the only cost is your time. Sounds like a great deal being free!!

 

The environmental impact should be minimal since oil is recycled. The only environmental impact of the more frequent oil changes would be the filters and the packaging.

[hytibill]

The manual says 10K but the oil life sensor on my car said there was 15% left at 5,800 and a year. I would definitely get an oil change at earlier than 10K miles. I'm a stingy guy but stretching to 10K miles per oil change on the stock semi-synthetic stock would give me agita.

[jsolan]

It's 10k OR 1 year. You're closer to the 1-year than the 10k, which is why it's telling you 15% as opposed to closer to 50%.

Remember that in a hybrid, the ICE only runs approximately half the time, so 10k is really closer to 5k of actual miles. My coworkers jeep recommends changing oil every 10k and that's a standard engine. These synthetics and semi-synthetics last pretty dang long.

[acdii]

The time limit is not that the oil goes stale, but acids build up which can cause damage. The oil may still lubricate well, but the acid levels can get high enough to eat the metal. This is why its recommended to change the oil before storing an engine for any length of time.