2018 Ford F-150 Maintenance Schedule

2018 Ford F-150 maintenance at a glance

The 2018 Ford F-150 belongs to the 13th generation (2015-2020), built with 3.3L V6, 2.7L EcoBoost, 3.5L EcoBoost, or 5.0L Coyote V8, with the aluminum body introduced in 2015. It takes 5W-20 full synthetic on most engines, 5W-30 on the 5.0L from 2018. Oil changes run 7,500 - 10,000 miles with the intelligent oil life monitor. This sits in the middle of the generation run, generally the most sorted point in a design before end-of-run cost reductions.

What a 2018 model needs now

A 2018 Ford F-150 is 8 years old in 2026, which at an average 12,000 miles a year puts it around 96,000 miles - the interval that decides its future. At roughly 96,000 miles the bigger fluids come due - transmission, differential, coolant - and this is the window that separates vehicles that reach 200,000 miles from those that do not. Deferring here is what produces expensive failures later. On that mileage estimate it should already have had a second transmission service, suspension inspection and belts at 90,000 miles, and the next milestone is 100,000 miles - coolant flush, water pump inspection and PCV service - roughly 1 years away at average use.

Key intervals for the 13th generation

Known issues on the 2018 F-150

The fault most worth knowing about on this generation is EcoBoost oil dilution in cold-climate short-trip use, which argues for shorter oil intervals. Owners also report Cam phaser rattle on the 5.0L, most common past 100,000 miles; and Early 10-speed transmission harshness and shift flare, often addressed by a fluid service and a software update. None of these are certainties on any individual vehicle - they are the patterns worth checking for when you buy or when a symptom appears.

Track your 2018 Ford F-150 service history free with the ServiceSage maintenance tracker, or compare it against other model years on the Ford F-150 maintenance schedule hub.

2018 Ford F-150 maintenance schedule

IntervalService
Every 7,500 mi (or IOLM)Oil & filter change - use the grade listed for your engine and model year above (it is not the same across generations: the 5.0L V8 takes 5W-20 through 2020 and 5W-30 from 2021), Tire rotation, Inspect belts, hoses, brakes, Check fluid levels
Every 20,000 miReplace cabin air filter, Inspect brake pads & rotors, Inspect suspension components, Check 4WD transfer case fluid (4WD models)
Every 30,000 miReplace engine air filter, Inspect coolant condition, Inspect drive belts
Every 60,000 mi10R80/6R80 transmission fluid service (severe duty), Replace brake fluid, Inspect rear axle fluid (4WD)
Every 100,000 miIridium spark plug replacement, Coolant flush & refill, Replace serpentine belt, PCV valve inspection
Every 150,000 mi10R80 transmission fluid service (normal duty), Inspect water pump, Full driveline inspection

What is due at each mileage - 2018 Ford F-150

The table above is indexed by service interval. This is the same schedule indexed by odometer reading, for when you know your mileage and want the list. If your odometer sits between these figures, work back to the last one you passed and catch up anything skipped.

OdometerService due
30,000 mi (48,000 km)Oil & filter change - use the grade listed for your engine and model year above (it is not the same across generations: the 5.0L V8 takes 5W-20 through 2020 and 5W-30 from 2021), Tire rotation, Inspect belts, hoses, brakes, Check fluid levels, Replace engine air filter, Inspect coolant condition, Inspect drive belts.
60,000 mi (97,000 km)Oil & filter change - use the grade listed for your engine and model year above (it is not the same across generations: the 5.0L V8 takes 5W-20 through 2020 and 5W-30 from 2021), Tire rotation, Inspect belts, hoses, brakes, Check fluid levels, Replace cabin air filter, Inspect brake pads & rotors, Inspect suspension components, Check 4WD transfer case fluid (4WD models), Replace engine air filter, Inspect coolant condition, Inspect drive belts, 10R80/6R80 transmission fluid service (severe duty), Replace brake fluid, Inspect rear axle fluid (4WD).
100,000 mi (161,000 km)Replace cabin air filter, Inspect brake pads & rotors, Inspect suspension components, Check 4WD transfer case fluid (4WD models), Iridium spark plug replacement, Coolant flush & refill, Replace serpentine belt, PCV valve inspection. The every-7,500 mi service runs on its own cycle - the nearest fall at 97,500 and 105,000 miles.
120,000 mi (193,000 km)Same as the 60,000 mi service.
150,000 mi (241,000 km)Oil & filter change - use the grade listed for your engine and model year above (it is not the same across generations: the 5.0L V8 takes 5W-20 through 2020 and 5W-30 from 2021), Tire rotation, Inspect belts, hoses, brakes, Check fluid levels, Replace engine air filter, Inspect coolant condition, Inspect drive belts, 10R80 transmission fluid service (normal duty), Inspect water pump, Full driveline inspection.
200,000 mi (322,000 km)Same as the 100,000 mi service. The every-7,500 mi service runs on its own cycle - the nearest fall at 195,000 and 202,500 miles.

2018 Ford F-150 torque specs

FastenerTorqueSize
Oil drain plug20 ft-lbs (27 Nm)3/8in ratchet
Lug nut150 ft-lbs (203 Nm)21mm
Spark plug12 ft-lbs (16 Nm)5/8in

2018 Ford F-150 oil life reset

Brake + accelerator hold (primary method)

  1. Ignition ON (push-button start: press Start/Stop without touching the brake), engine off.
  2. Fully press and hold both the accelerator and brake pedals together.
  3. Keep both held - around 3 seconds a "reset in progress" message displays; continue holding to about 25 seconds total, until it shows "reset complete" or Oil Life reads 100%.
  4. Release both pedals, then turn the ignition off.

2021+ trucks with the 12-inch digital cluster (menu alternative)

  1. Ignition ON, engine off.
  2. Steering-wheel menu button, then Settings, then Vehicle Maintenance (exact labels vary by trim/software).
  3. Select Oil Life, then press and hold OK until the progress bar completes and reads 100%.

2018 Ford F-150 recalls

The 2018 Ford F-150 has 19 safety recalls on record with NHTSA, affecting the exterior lighting, latches/locks/linkages, tires (as of 2026-07-09). Recall repairs are free at any dealer.

Warning lights and codes on the Ford F-150

Maintenance keeps these away, but when the dash does light up these are the codes this vehicle throws most often - each with what it means and what the repair actually costs.

Common check-engine codes