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What is the letter I on the Ford dashboard?

The letter "I" on a Ford dashboard typically indicates that the vehicle's Intelligent Oil Life Monitor (IOLM) system is active. This system is designed to monitor the condition of the engine oil and provide recommendations for when it should be changed, rather than relying on a fixed mileage-based schedule.


Understanding the Intelligent Oil Life Monitor (IOLM)


The IOLM is a feature found in many modern Ford vehicles. It uses sensors to continuously monitor the condition of the engine oil, taking into account factors such as driving conditions, engine load, and temperature. Based on this data, the IOLM can determine the optimal time to change the oil, rather than relying on a predetermined mileage-based schedule.


When the IOLM system determines that the oil needs to be changed, the letter "I" will appear on the dashboard, alerting the driver to this recommendation. This allows for more efficient oil changes, as the oil is changed only when necessary, rather than at a fixed interval that may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the oil.


Responding to the "I" Indicator



  • When the "I" indicator appears on the dashboard, it is recommended to have the oil changed as soon as possible, following the manufacturer's guidelines.

  • Ignoring the "I" indicator and continuing to drive without changing the oil can lead to increased wear and tear on the engine, potentially resulting in more costly repairs down the line.

  • It is important to note that the "I" indicator is not a warning light, but rather a recommendation from the IOLM system. Drivers should still monitor the oil level and condition regularly, even if the "I" indicator is not illuminated.


By understanding the meaning of the "I" indicator on a Ford dashboard, drivers can better maintain their vehicles and ensure the longevity of their engine's performance.

What does the I mean on my Ford Focus dashboard?


It's there to get your attention and notify you that your car has some “information” to share with you. Usually this is redundant with a message at startup that indicates what the actual problem is. For example, if you have a burnt-out tail light, it will notify you at start-up and then the “(i)” symbol illuminates.



What is the I for in cars?


Gasoline-powered cars (injection vehicles) bear an i, and diesel engines have a d. An e in the model name means that it is a plug-in hybrid, as is the case with our BMW 745e PHEV (➜ Read more: All types of EVs). All-wheel drive vehicles have xDrive attached to their name.



What does the letter I mean in a car?


fuel injected
The letter i is used mostly, to show that it is fuel injected (which is how modern cars send fuel to the engine's cylinders). So, you'll often see something like 1.0i, 330i (again, a BMW 3 Series with a 3.0-litre injection engine), etc.



What is the dot on the letter I and I?


The tittle or superscript dot is the dot on top of lowercase i and j. The tittle is an integral part of these glyphs, but diacritic dots can appear over other letters in various languages.



What is the I symbol on my dashboard?


The " [ i ] " indicator is the "Information" alert. This light is set when there are system messages stored, like when the vehicle is due for an oil change or there is a low tire, etc. These Information messages are shown on the screen when the vehicle is first started.



What is the I light on my Ford Escape dashboard?


The (i) symbol means you have a message on your car system. Mine was on and I had something like a text message that was telling me I had something wrong with my tire. The tire light was also on. I had 2 messages actually.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.