2017 Focus Diesel - Oil Change Required

[towser]

Hi - this maybe a dumb question.

This is my first Ford since my Y Reg 1.1L Fiesta in brown about 30 years ago so things have changed.

Car is not due a service until September 2019.

Recently an "Oil Change Required" warning light came on.

Checked the oil levels and they look OK.

Car is booked in for "investigation" tomorrow, service department saying that investigation will cost £50 if it's not an issue under warranty - part of me is thinking the piss is being pulled and I'm about to be stung an additional £50 for a simple oil change.

Is this a common issue with Ford diesels - that is "Oil Change Required" outside of service intervals?

[meb90]

When was it last serviced? How many miles has it done? What do you think the service interval is?

Most modern cars have oil condition monitoring and it probably wants an oil change based on this.

[towser]

meb90 said:

When was it last serviced? How many miles has it done? What do you think the service interval is?

Most modern cars have oil condition monitoring and it probably wants an oil change based on this.

Hi - last serviced in September 2018 and, according to Ford service dept, it's next service is due September 2019.

It's done approx 14,500 miles.

[meb90]

Hi,

I therefore suspect they didn't reset the service counter last time

I wondered if you'd done lots of miles and it was asking for a service based on that.

[towser]

meb90 said:

Hi,

I therefore suspect they didn't reset the service counter last time

I wondered if you'd done lots of miles and it was asking for a service based on that.

Man....so they'll be charging £50 to just reset a sensor?

Thanks, feel like I'm armed with a bit more knowledge now!

[Ron240]

It would also be my guess that the service reminder wasn't reset when the car was last serviced, which is actually very common.
The procedure to reset is a simple one that you can do yourself in a couple of minutes and involves pressing the pedals with the ignition on but engine off.
Google it and you should find it easily.

[AJB88]

Or the sensor has detected the oil quality is poor now and it does actually need changing.

[Lemming Train]

AJB88 said:

Or the sensor has detected the oil quality is poor now and it does actually need changing.

Highly unlikely given that it's only done 14k miles since new.

[AJB88]

Lemming Train said:

Highly unlikely given that it's only done 14k miles since new.

Not really, all dependant on what type of trips its done really, if its 14k of very short stop start journeys then its probably due.

Some cars get 5-7k between oil changes on sensored cars.

[Slushbox]

"Your vehicle is equipped with an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) that determines when you should change your engine oil based on how your vehicle is used. By considering several important factors in its calculations, the IOLM helps ensure that your engine can perform at its best while also helping you avoid unnecessary oil changes.

With the help of the IOLM, you don’t have to remember to change your oil on a preset mileage-based schedule. Your vehicle will let you know when it’s time for an oil change by displaying a message in the information display."


Change the oil before paying another £50 for an inspection:

https://owner.ford.com/how-tos/vehicle-features/da...

Edited by Slushbox on Thursday 25th April 07:36

[towser]

Thanks folks....turned out to be a reset of the oil sensor which had been forgotten at the last service. Done free of charge thankfully!

[AJB88]

Until it bleeps up again in a few days because the oil does actually need changing haha.

[Ron240]

AJB88 said:

Until it bleeps up again in a few days because the oil does actually need changing haha.

Let it go man.....
Turned out it was the most likely explanation to the problem, and also the easiest to fix.