Ford F-150 maintenance intervals: normal vs severe duty
Ford uses an Intelligent Oil Life Monitor (IOLM), but recommends fixed intervals for engine oil, transmission fluid, spark plugs, and coolant that differ sharply between normal and severe (towing/turbo) duty.
Fluid specs also vary by engine: the 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost take 5W-30 synthetic, the 5.0L V8 takes 5W-20 (or 5W-30). The 10-speed automatic (10R80) uses Mercon ULV and has no dipstick - checking the level requires the transmission at operating temperature (206-215 F) and a plug on the passenger side of the case. Coolant changed with the 2019 model year: Motorcraft Orange VC-3DIL-B through 2018, Motorcraft Yellow VC-13DL-G from 2019.
- Engine oil: 7,500-10,000 mi normal duty vs 5,000 mi severe duty
- Transmission fluid: 150,000 mi normal duty vs 30,000-60,000 mi severe duty
- Spark plugs: 100,000 mi normal duty vs 50,000-60,000 mi severe duty
- Coolant: first change at 6 years or 100,000 miles on 2018-and-older trucks, 10 years or 200,000 miles from 2019 - same for both duty cycles
- Brake fluid (DOT 4 LV): flush every 3 years; brake pads last 30,000-60,000 miles depending on towing habits
- Battery replacement requires resetting the Battery Management System (BMS) sensor via FORScan or a dealer tool, or the truck undercharges the new battery