Thoughts about the recommended maintenance schedule? [Gen 1]

[J.Frink]

I just acquired a 2012 FFH with 103K miles. Previous owner was diligent but I don't think it's had any of the recommended 100K items done yet. Before I dive in, I'm wondering if there's any consensus about things to (not)do, more/less frequently, or differently than the schedule says?

 

For example, the schedule says that the air filter never needs to be replaced or even inspected. For real? And there seems to be no recommendation to change the transmission fluid. I'm happy to do neither, but perhaps experience has shown otherwise?

 

Saw one comment saying don't bother changing the spark plugs at 100K unless ... not sure what the unless was.

 

I must admit that there's a great tendency to skip the "multipoint inspection" items, other than fluids. Probably should fight that urge, no?

 

Any of the maintenance items such a PITA that I shouldn't consider doing them myself? 

 

 

[Rainbringer]

On 4/19/2022 at 8:27 PM, J.Frink said:

I just acquired a 2012 FFH with 103K miles. Previous owner was diligent but I don't think it's had any of the recommended 100K items done yet. Before I dive in, I'm wondering if there's any consensus about things to (not)do, more/less frequently, or differently than the schedule says?

 

For example, the schedule says that the air filter never needs to be replaced or even inspected. For real? And there seems to be no recommendation to change the transmission fluid. I'm happy to do neither, but perhaps experience has shown otherwise?

 

Saw one comment saying don't bother changing the spark plugs at 100K unless ... not sure what the unless was.

 

I must admit that there's a great tendency to skip the "multipoint inspection" items, other than fluids. Probably should fight that urge, no?

 

Any of the maintenance items such a PITA that I shouldn't consider doing them myself? 

 

 

Probably the first thing I would do is change the oil and check all the filters. As of late on my Ford F-150 I learned how to change my own oil, so this is the first thing I would do. I have a 3.5 Ecoboost engine, but I can share with you instructions on how to change the oil on these engines, you can do it all yourself. There's a section on that in this article - https://southwestexpresslube.com/oil-for-3-5-ecoboost/ . Plus I picked out the best oil for 3.5 Ecoboost there. Anyway, there's a lot of useful information there.