Curious about oil life

[TrackMustang]

So my 21 GT just hit 1k miles so I decided I’m doing an oil change. When I recheck how to reset the oil life I noticed it said I was at 31%. Curious why that is, as 1k miles isn’t 69% of any normal distance… Any insight?

Side note, I replaced my oil filter with the Ford Racing one and I gotta say I am astonished at how small the stock cylinder is for a five liter… very glad I put the race one on.

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[Brokestang]

I was told it takes off like 2% of oil life per week even if you haven't drove the car at all.

 

[GWraith]

Oil has a shelf life. Most oil is about 6-10K miles for full synthetic but only 6 months to 1-year shelf life. If its a garage queen you should be keeping track of the time.

 

[GWraith]

Break in factory oil the computer switches after X miles break in, also delivering the full power spec.

The % is there for people who never check oil....

I have heard rumors of this but ford does not produce any documentation saying the car cannot have full power until broken in. Ford also says there is no break-in period at all anywhere in the manual or documentation.

Do you have a link?

 

[Mustangmatty]

Break in factory oil the computer switches after X miles break in, also delivering the full power spec.

The % is there for people who never check oil....

I’ve not heard of this, what is your source?

 

[Mustangmatty]

I have heard rumors of this but ford does not produce any documentation saying the car cannot have full power until broken in. Ford also says there is no break-in period at all anywhere in the manual or documentation.

Do you have a link?

Beat me to it GWraith….

 

[KeyLime]

The oil life monitor is based on mileage or 1 year, whichever comes first. I haven't driven my car in a while but the oil life keeps ticking away. 39 miles since the last oil change but the oil life monitor is showing 86% left.

 

[KeyLime]

The only mention of break-in I've seen is in the Owner's Manual.

BREAKING-IN

Your vehicle requires a break-in period. For the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km), avoid driving at high speeds, heavy braking, aggressive shifting or using your vehicle to tow. During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics.

 

[br_an]

your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics

 

[TrackMustang]

I was told it takes off like 2% of oil life per week even if you haven't drove the car at all.

It’s only 6 months old, I certainly hope oil lasts longer than that…

 

[TrackMustang]

Oil has a shelf life. Most oil is about 6-10K miles for full synthetic but only 6 months to 1-year shelf life. If its a garage queen you should be keeping track of the time.

Jolene is absolutely the queen, but idk about garage queen… she’s my weekend car… I mean queen… that I keep in the garage…

 

[Brokestang]

It’s only 6 months old, I certainly hope oil lasts longer than that…

I meant the oil life meter not the actual oil itself.

 

[#1ford]

Great information I noticed that my oil has been life has been decreasing wi the car in winter storage! I did not know why ! Thank you so much

 

[Farkel]

Re: the small oil filter - the factory oil filter is even about an inch shorter than the recommended replacement (FL-500-S).

 

[Cobra Jet]

Here’s how the oil life monitor works, per the shop manual:

The timer also counts down as the car sits. So for those wondering why their Oil Life Monitor is saying you need an oil change when you have only driven 500 miles since last oil change BUT the car has been in the garage for 6 months consecutively... The above is your answer.

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