service intervals: USA vs UK

[mwyatt82]

I was pondering why my 2014 S197 5.0 has 5k service intervals. Obviously Wisconsin winters are harsh but the services are just an oil and filter change. No plugs changed or other filters (cabin etc). I was wondering why on earth this is? I can't imagine it's because Americans don't care to change the plugs on their cars at every 10k miles or so. Just seems odd given my Alfa Giulietta and Fiesta 1.25 I had in the UK always had plugs changed etc and had intervals of 12-18k. My Mustang service book suggests plugs to be changed at 100k but presumably they be horribly grimy and my BHP would drop off? Strikes me as odd as surely they want to sell more consumables.

[dvs_dave]

Americans still have this weird 1950's idea that oil has to be changed every 3k miles. Any European car that in Europe has adaptive condition based service interval calculation, that function is disabled for the US version and it's fixed mileage or time that dictates service intervals. Any maintenance beyond an oil and filter change though is regarded as a critical design flaw worthy of a class action lawsuit. Try having a conversation with an average Joe about the neccesity of cam belt service intervals....it's like questioning their religion.

Keeps the dealers and jiffy lubes etc busy though.

[unrepentant]

10k miles is the standard service interval on pretty much all luxury cars in the US. Even my Camaro SS was 10k. Can't see why a Mustang should be any different as long as it runs on synthetic oil.

[5ohmustang]

What does the dashboard say? It has a percentage countdown. Is it a GT or GT trackpack? If the latter you can use the regular gt oil instead of 5w50.

I just change mine whenever the percentage gets to 15%. I have never bothered to count the miles between service but I'm guessing 5-7.5k.

[Matt Harper]

I admit to being a bit pathological about oil changes - both in my Mustang when I had it and also in my current cars.

I changed the oil at 1000 miles (post break-in) and thereafter every 5000 miles or 6 months. I also changed it each and every time I raced it.

I accept that this is a bit over the top - but oil/filter is dirt cheap and clean oil = clean and efficient motor that runs cooler with less 'enameling' of bearings, valve train and other rotating/reciprocating parts.

I find it a quite therapeutic way to spend an hour of a Saturday morning - and I know it's been done properly.

[mwyatt82]

5ohmustang said:

What does the dashboard say? It has a percentage countdown. Is it a GT or GT trackpack? If the latter you can use the regular gt oil instead of 5w50.

I just change mine whenever the percentage gets to 15%. I have never bothered to count the miles between service but I'm guessing 5-7.5k.

My oil change warning came on 3k after the last one I think they didn't re-set the indicator after the last change! I use the same Quicklane tied to my local Ford dealer every time. Mine is a Regular GT Premium.

[mwyatt82]

dvs_dave said:

Americans still have this weird 1950's idea that oil has to be changed every 3k miles. Any European car that in Europe has adaptive condition based service interval calculation, that function is disabled for the US version and it's fixed mileage or time that dictates service intervals. Any maintenance beyond an oil and filter change though is regarded as a critical design flaw worthy of a class action lawsuit. Try having a conversation with an average Joe about the neccesity of cam belt service intervals....it's like questioning their religion.

Keeps the dealers and jiffy lubes etc busy though.

My point about the above is what happens at those services. My understanding of a regular say 12k mile service in Europe was a change of plugs as well as oil and filter. My basic understanding is these get fouled up over many miles. I have looked through the book for my Mustang and it says 100k for new plugs which is mind boggling to my UK mindset. I just couldn't fathom it as I would imagine Ford would love to sell many more consumables, although i'd imagine 8 new plugs on a Mustang like mine every 10k could be pricey. Either way my nerdy self found it interesting.

[jeff m2]

dvs_dave said:

Americans still have this weird 1950's idea that oil has to be changed every 3k miles. Any European car that in Europe has adaptive condition based service interval calculation, that function is disabled for the US version and it's fixed mileage or time that dictates service intervals. Any maintenance beyond an oil and filter change though is regarded as a critical design flaw worthy of a class action lawsuit. Try having a conversation with an average Joe about the neccesity of cam belt service intervals....it's like questioning their religion.

Keeps the dealers and jiffy lubes etc busy though.

I'm not sure if you are saying cambelt inspection or changing is not needed !!!

I can attest it is quite important.
I had one break on one of my diesel taxis, the damage was "quite a lot"
Bent stuff in the head, valves into the pistons etc.

Preventive maintenance is relatively inexpensive, rebuilding engines with the associated down time is not. (Car not earning)
Gas engines; Plugs, will of course last longer because of better fuel management systems, I've found my leads go before the plugs.
A little fuel system cleaning never does any harm.

Yesterday I tuned mu wifes car, I put an extra 3psi in the tyres and moved her seat forward one notch, she was thrilled! Cost me nothing.

[5ohmustang]

jeff m2 said:

I'm not sure if you are saying cambelt inspection or changing is not needed !!!

I can attest it is quite important.
I had one break on one of my diesel taxis, the damage was "quite a lot"
Bent stuff in the head, valves into the pistons etc.

Preventive maintenance is relatively inexpensive, rebuilding engines with the associated down time is not. (Car not earning)
Gas engines; Plugs, will of course last longer because of better fuel management systems, I've found my leads go before the plugs.
A little fuel system cleaning never does any harm.

Yesterday I tuned mu wifes car, I put an extra 3psi in the tyres and moved her seat forward one notch, she was thrilled! Cost me nothing.

Oil is really the only thing you have to change frequently, everything else is spaced far apart. Do you have service manual?

The coyote is on a cam chain, but I understand your point.