Realistic Scheduled Service

Good Afternoon,

Just a bit curious: In addition to routine Oil changes, what is absolutely necessary to have done to the engine at 20,000 miles vs what the manual suggests? This would be on a 2910T gas.

Thanks,
Joe

Call me an easy mark but with all my vehicles I have always had maintenance done by the book to keep up the warranty, especially since I am not mechanically inclined.  This practice has kept us running relatively problem free. Many auto whizes will have a different outlook.   

Good Afternoon,

Just a bit curious: In addition to routine Oil changes, what is absolutely necessary to have done to the engine at 20,000 miles vs what the manual suggests? This would be on a 2910T gas.

Thanks,
Joe

Presuming the vast majority of your mileage is highway miles, follow the manual reccomendations for regular service.  If the normal use is short trips, stop and go miles, and so forth, follow the manual reccomendations for severe service.

The different uses are explained in the manual.

Hi There JoeyD!

The subject of "TIRES" is probably the single biggest topic but I won't start a tire tread because it is such a contraversial one.  One thing certain, be sure to use a good trusted tire gauge and maintain the proper tire pressure.  I was surprised to learn about the tire gauges I relied on.  You can read about it HERE.

Watch your air filter closely.  Don't go by mileage alone.  How often depends on how clean or dirty the air is where you travel.  Traveling a season through forest fire haze will prematurely dirty-up the air filter.  One year in our first rig, I had a new air filter at the start of our trip, but just one afternoon driving in Monument Valley required a new filter the next day.  A simple visual inspection works well for me.  The in-service filter can appear clean until compared to a brand new one.  

It seems that around the 40,000 mile mark is when servicing the transmission (fluid & filter change) becomes a good idea for "severe service" like a motorhome.  Don't by universal transmission fluid.  Be sure to get exactly what is stated in your Ford manual.

As always, make sure your power steering fluid is at the right level and your coolant as well.  I don't know the recommended coolant flush schedule but I understand in-general it is based on miles driven.  Coolant doesn't get old sitting inside a radiator and engine block.  Ethylene glycol doesn't break down, but the added rust inhibitors do when the coolant is heated.  I recommend using the same coolant Ford used whether adding or replacing.

As far as your brakes are concerned, you being in Florida, you are in a very humid environment.  It is wise to have your brake fluid flushed every 5-6 years.  If you don't drive your PC enough, severe surface rust on the rotors will reduce brake performance and also the life of your brake pads.

I am sure there is more, but this is what came to mind at the moment.

Thanks Ron... You are a wealth of information and a trusted resource.
What is your opinion on AC service. I do have my generator serviced each year but wonder if I should service the AC.

Joe

Thanks Ron... You are a wealth of information and a trusted resource.
What is your opinion on AC service. I do have my generator serviced each year but wonder if I should service the AC.

Joe

You are very welcome Joe.

About your chassis a/c system.  To be honest, there isn't an official maintenance schedule.  The only thing you'll want to do is to make sure the a/c condenser in front of the radiator doesn't get full of debris like bugs and such so much that air can't pass through it adequately.

As far as the roof a/c unit is concerned, it's pretty much the same story, making sure the condenser is clean for proper cooling.  In that case, certain insects like to build nests in it preventing it from cooling properly.

I just had my transmission serviced at 30,000 miles.  I had a hot flush done at the ford dealership. They do NOT change the filter. Its a closed system so unlike your engine oil no contaminants enter the equation. The Hot flush changes out 99% of your fluid. A filter change and drain gets maybe 60% or so. How long your transmission oil lasts really comes down to temps of your transmission.

 Roughly speaking if your trans is running at say 200 degrees the oil should typically last 60 to 70,000 miles

at 225 degrees it drops to closer to 35,000 miles. Add 25 degrees and it drops to roughly 20,000 miles.

25 degrees makes a huge difference.

I decided to have mine done at 30,000 and install a scan gauge to keep track of it from here on. Also your tranny temp is affected by your engine coolant as well. All to many people forget about ever changing the antifreeze out.



Cost to have it hot flushed at a dealership... $200.00


As far as engine oil service. Unless you send in a sample to a lab after an oil change you will never know if your changing it at the right intervals. You simply cant tell by looking at it.  Cost for a lab test. about 30 bucks and you really one need to do it once.