What is the maintenance schedule for the Ford F-150?
The maintenance schedule for the Ford F-150 varies by model year, engine, and how you drive. In general, owners follow a normal schedule with oil changes around every 7,500 miles and tire rotations at the same interval, with more frequent service under severe driving conditions. Always check your specific owner's manual or Ford’s official resources for your exact truck.
Two driving schedules: Normal vs. Severe
Ford typically divides maintenance into Normal driving and Severe service. The exact intervals depend on your year, engine, and drivetrain, so use these guidelines as a general reference and verify against the official schedule for your truck.
Normal driving schedule overview:
- Engine oil and oil filter replacement: every 7,500 miles (12 months), whichever comes first, when using synthetic or synthetic-blend oil. If you regularly tow, drive in dusty or extreme conditions, or do a lot of short trips, the interval may be sooner per the manual.
- Tire rotation and inspection: every 7,500 miles (12 months) or with oil changes, and as needed based on tire wear.
- Brake system inspection: check pads, rotors, brake lines, and brake fluid at the 7,500-mile interval or during routine service.
- Fluid levels check: coolant, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid; top off as needed.
- Battery and charging system check: annually.
- Wiper blades and exterior lights: inspect and replace as needed.
Conclusion for the normal track: This schedule emphasizes routine maintenance for everyday driving with fewer interruptions and is designed to keep the truck running reliably between bigger service events.
Severe service schedule and what changes
If you frequently tow heavy loads, drive in dusty environments, operate in extreme temperatures, or do a lot of short trips, Ford designates severe service with more frequent maintenance. The following reflects common changes seen in recent F-150 manuals, but always verify for your model year and engine.
- Oil and filter replacement: every 5,000 miles (or 6 months), whichever comes first.
- Tire rotation: every 5,000 miles or with the oil change, plus alignment checks if wear indicates.
- Engine air filter: inspect at 15,000 miles and replace as needed (more frequent in dusty conditions).
- Cabin air filter: inspect at 15,000 miles and replace as needed (more frequent in dusty environments).
- Brake system inspection: more frequent checks, especially when towing or under heavy use.
- Cooling system and transmission fluids: check and service per manual, with earlier service considered for towing or harsh conditions.
- Battery and charging system check: annually, with attention to heavy usage patterns.
- Belt and hose inspections: inspect for wear and replace as needed.
- Spark plugs and other wear items: replacement per the manual’s recommended mileage, which often targets higher-mileage intervals on newer engines.
Conclusion for the severe track: If your driving fits severe-service criteria, following the more frequent intervals helps maintain reliability under demanding conditions, but always confirm exact timings for your year and engine.
Using Ford's Maintenance Minder and official sources
Many newer F-150s include Ford's Maintenance Minder, which uses vehicle data to indicate when service is needed, and the message center will alert you to upcoming maintenance. For the exact intervals and tasks for your truck, consult the owner's manual, the Ford Owner website, or the FordPass app, and select your model year and engine configuration.
Notes on model year and engine differences
The F-150 has undergone several generations with multiple engines and transmissions. Maintenance intervals can differ by year, engine family (for example, 2.7L EcoBoost, 3.5L EcoBoost, 5.0L V8), and drivetrain. Always verify the schedule that applies to your specific truck via the official manual or a Ford dealer.
Summary
In short, the Ford F-150 maintenance schedule centers on regular oil changes and tire rotations at a base interval, with more frequent service under severe driving conditions. Rely on the Maintenance Minder and official Ford resources to confirm the exact intervals for your year and engine, and schedule service accordingly to keep your pickup performing at its best.
