Real World Service Intervals vs manual 2017 3.5L ecoboost

[Larry Fuller]

I recall a thread on this but can'tseem to find it. What the consensus on plugs, and other other maintence items?
manual says 100k on most but i recall 60k was perhaps the consensus?
please weigh in experienced owners.
thx
Larry in Reno

 

[JasonH]

I was getting stumbles at 95K. I've heard anecdotally that 60K is a reasonable interval for plugs. Link below to recommendations from a popular Ford tech.

 

[Sunflowergirl]

I recall a thread on this but can'tseem to find it. What the consensus on plugs, and other other maintence items?
manual says 100k on most but i recall 60k was perhaps the consensus?
please weigh in experienced owners.
thx
Larry in Reno

My real world

2016 expedition EL platinum 4x4 HD tow, 3” lift 35s and tuned on e30

oil- full synthetic since day 1, every 7500

plugs- every 30000 now that I’m tuned, I run step colder sp542s for my e30 tune and 93 tunes

other fluids Like trans and differential (supposedly lifetime) I don’t Touch unless something is wrong. My Diff fluid was changed once by dealership after I had TSB upgrade for carbon fiber clutch packs.

coolant- haven’t had a flush in 4 years, topped off once after I upgraded my tstat to a 170. Check every now and then to top off


Not sure if this helps or if I missed anything

 

[Expedition Dave]

As far as free advice goes?

For most "normal driving folks"? If you want to be safe, go off the vehicle manufacturers rough/harsh environment maintenance schedule. If you are harder on your vehicles, reduce that even further. If you tow, are in the mountains, pumping additional boost, always in the boost, long periods idle, etc.etc.
YMMV.

For me? I've always changed fluids on the early side, especially the first ones. I always treat my cars, trucks, motorcycles like I will keep them forever and when I sell them, it is usually a quick private sale b/c some discerning people appreciate buying from someone with extreme mechanical empathy. Does it make a difference? I'd say yes, but how much? IDK.

FYSA, Ford is looking to save money, make money, and make you think you are saving money. I honestly feel they could care less if their vehicles made it much past 125K on the odometer.
I have also seen a lot of F/R diff fluids look like crap w/i 5-10K of driving. Personally, I will change all of my 2020 diffs/trans case/transmission by 15K. From there, my plan is to have ALL fluids changed at 40-50K miles. Oil is synthetic whenever the oil meter reads 30% of life left.

YMMV

 

[07navi]

As far as free advice goes?

For most "normal driving folks"? If you want to be safe, go off the vehicle manufacturers rough/harsh environment maintenance schedule. If you are harder on your vehicles, reduce that even further. If you tow, are in the mountains, pumping additional boost, always in the boost, long periods idle, etc.etc.
YMMV.

For me? I've always changed fluids on the early side, especially the first ones. I always treat my cars, trucks, motorcycles like I will keep them forever and when I sell them, it is usually a quick private sale b/c some discerning people appreciate buying from someone with extreme mechanical empathy. Does it make a difference? I'd say yes, but how much? IDK.

FYSA, Ford is looking to save money, make money, and make you think you are saving money. I honestly feel they could care less if their vehicles made it much past 125K on the odometer.
I have also seen a lot of F/R diff fluids look like crap w/i 5-10K of driving. Personally, I will change all of my 2020 diffs/trans case/transmission by 15K. From there, my plan is to have ALL fluids changed at 40-50K miles. Oil is synthetic whenever the oil meter reads 30% of life left.

YMMV

I totally agree and waiting until something "happens" as mentioned previously makes no sense to me.

 

[chuck s]

As for replacing on the "early side" my other car had a warning in the owner's manual specifically to NOT change the oil that came in the engine early. Don't recall seeing it in any other. I run engine oil analysis and using pure synthetics the "or 12 months" or whatever time vs. mileage is unnecessary.

-- Chuck

 

[07navi]

The star mechanic on YouTube; Makuloco, says not to go by the book on fluid changes, he has a video on it.

 

[lbv150]

Engines & turbos are expensive, I never waste money on extended warranties on anything. Oil and filters are cheap in comparison...every 3,000 miles.

 

[chuck s]

Whatever...

 

[JExpedition07]

Following the owners manual for spark plug replacement will have you going crazy trying to figure out that misfire that won’t go away. Ford changed the intervals to 60k, gap widens out well before the suggested 100k.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I recall a thread on this but can'tseem to find it. What the consensus on plugs, and other other maintence items?
manual says 100k on most but i recall 60k was perhaps the consensus?
please weigh in experienced owners.
thx
Larry in Reno

I bought a new 2015 Ford Expedition Limited 4x4 - and most of my driving is longer drives, often on 55 mph state routes or rural county roads. I do not tow or haul cargo. Strictly passenger use.

Based upon other posts on this forum, I changed the original spark plugs at about 45,000 miles - and used OEM Motorcraft replacements.

The plugs I removed looked like they had 145,000 miles on them. They were black and the electrode gap had widened. I use Top Tier fuel almost exclusively, and am a conservative driver. After changing them, the engine idle in drive was much smoother.

I’ll be changing them again at 90,000 miles (or less).

New OEM spark plugs are inexpensive and somewhat easy to change. Well worth it.

This was my first vehicle with a turbocharged engine. I’ve changed spark plugs on GM vehicles I’ve owned, and they always look almost new when changed (after 50,000 - 75,000 miles). I was very disappointed in the condition of the spark plugs with my Expedition.

 

[07navi]

I bought a new 2015 Ford Expedition Limited 4x4 - and most of my driving is longer drives, often on 55 mph state routes or rural county roads. I do not tow or haul cargo. Strictly passenger use.

Based upon other posts on this forum, I changed the original spark plugs at about 45,000 miles - and used OEM Motorcraft replacements.

The plugs I removed looked like they had 145,000 miles on them. They were black and the electrode gap had widened. I use Top Tier fuel almost exclusively, and am a conservative driver. After changing them, the engine idle in drive was much smoother.

I’ll be changing them again at 90,000 miles (or less).

New OEM spark plugs are inexpensive and somewhat easy to change. Well worth it.

This was my first vehicle with a turbocharged engine. I’ve changed spark plugs on GM vehicles I’ve owned, and they always look almost new when changed (after 50,000 - 75,000 miles). I was very disappointed in the condition of the spark plugs with my Expedition.

3o years ago you were lucky to get 20k miles.

 

[mnachreiner86]

Change them early and often on the Ecos. Motorcraft plugs


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

3o years ago you were lucky to get 20k miles.

This is not “30 years ago” and the manual specifies a change interval of 100,000 miles.

 

[07navi]

This is not “30 years ago” and the manual specifies a change interval of 100,000 miles.

That's too many miles. Plugs are like tires, they start wearing out the first day they are used. They may seem to be working fine but you suffer with MPG's and HP at anywhere near those miles.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

That's too many miles. Plugs are like tires, they start wearing out the first day they are used. They may seem to be working fine but you suffer with MPG's and HP at anywhere near those miles.

I agree with you - 100,000 is too long. That is why I change the spark plugs sooner than the manufacturer’s recommendation (not just Ford’s).

 

[lbv150]

My two 5.4s were changed at 100,000 intervals with zero issues. My 3.5 ecoboost should see the same. And worth noting, the performance and fuel mileage did not change at all on my 2004 5.4, just changed the plugs a couple of months ago.

 

[lbv150]

I doubt that, maybe it seemed like it.

I'm on top of the mileage weekly and performance wise I'm very intune with anything I drive.

 

[Larry Fuller]

thanks Jason that's the video i was looking for!
Larry