2009 Lincoln MKS AWD Oil Life Reading

[Statsman007]

Hello, All :

I owned a Chevy Impala before and it had a sensor in the oil pan that measures the oil level. However, for 2009 Lincoln MKS, I do not know if there were "oil level" or "oil life" sensor(s). I get erroenous readings of the oil life. I put in 5W20 Castrol full synthetic with high-performance oil filter. According to car's computer, ~ 10% or 0% oil life is left. But when I do check the engine oil from the dipstick : oil color is still fresh, oil level is to the maximum ( or near maximum ), and I only drove 4,000 or 5,000 km only on short trips of very normal driving nowhere near 7,000 km or 10,000 km.

Any hints or tips would be much appreciated. I had this this problem for +8 months now and I don't know what is wrong ( no check-engine light or OBD Error Codes).

Thank You ...

 

[Corsart]

Hello, All :

I owned a Chevy Impala before and it had a sensor in the oil pan that measures the oil level. However, for 2009 Lincoln MKS, I do not know if there were "oil level" or "oil life" sensor(s). I get erroenous readings of the oil life. I put in 5W20 Castrol full synthetic with high-performance oil filter. According to car's computer, ~ 10% or 0% oil life is left. But when I do check the engine oil from the dipstick : oil color is still fresh, oil level is to the maximum ( or near maximum ), and I only drove 4,000 or 5,000 km only on short trips of very normal driving nowhere near 7,000 km or 10,000 km.

Any hints or tips would be much appreciated. I had this this problem for +8 months now and I don't know what is wrong ( no check-engine light or OBD Error Codes).

Thank You ...

Most early "oil life" indicators were nothing more than odometer readers that reminded you when you approached the recommended change interval. These need to be reset when they get to "0" life left. Try this: Oil Change Light Reset Lincoln MKS 2009 2010 2011 2012 - Reset Your Oil Change Light

 

[Statsman007]

Most early "oil life" indicators were nothing more than odometer readers that reminded you when you approached the recommended change interval. These need to be reset when they get to "0" life left. Try this: Oil Change Light Reset Lincoln MKS 2009 2010 2011 2012 - Reset Your Oil Change Light

Thank you very much for the quick reply.. I thought it would be elaborate like viscosity sensor or oil level check.. So it's better go with dipstick check and the 8,000 km interval.

 

[Corsart]

Thank you very much for the quick reply.. I thought it would be elaborate like viscosity sensor or oil level check.. So it's better go with dipstick check and the 8,000 km interval.

Unless your driving conditions are "Extreme" then yes, go with rec intervals or less, use rec viscosity, and as an FWIW the Motorcraft filter is one of the best out there. I typically go to 50%-75% of Ford's OCI, so every 5000-7500 miles.

The old "Dipstick color" rule isn't the best way to gauge oil quality, btw....modern oils and especially syn and syn blends normally change color as a result of their unique properties and not dirt. The best way to determine the lube qualities and overall condition of your used oil to send a sample to Blackstone labs for $20.

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[Statsman007]

Unless your driving conditions are "Extreme" then yes, go with rec intervals or less, use rec viscosity, and as an FWIW the Motorcraft filter is one of the best out there. I typically go to 50%-75% of Ford's OCI, so every 5000-7500 miles.

The old "Dipstick color" rule isn't the best way to gauge oil quality, btw....modern oils and especially syn and syn blends normally change color as a result of their unique properties and not dirt. The best way to determine the lube qualities and overall condition of your used oil to send a sample to Blackstone labs for $20.

Thanks very much, Corsart, for the insightful answer. I did buy the motorcraft oil filter from Amazon but it was too big to be spun in, and much shorter. The owner manual lists FL500S Oil Filter. Every reference check lists FL500S as the correct filter for 2009 Lincoln MKS. But it Simply does not fit.
Instead I bought Mobil 1 long life filter which surprisingly did fit. Motorcraft FL500S Oil Filter, Oil Filters & Accessories - Amazon Canada

 

[Corsart]

Thanks very much, Corsart, for the insightful answer. I did buy the motorcraft oil filter from Amazon but it was too big to be spun in, and much shorter. The owner manual lists FL500S Oil Filter. Every reference check lists FL500S as the correct filter for 2009 Lincoln MKS. But it Simply does not fit.
Instead I bought Mobil 1 long life filter which surprisingly did fit. Motorcraft FL500S Oil Filter, Oil Filters & Accessories - Amazon Canada

The correct Motorcraft filter for your car is FL 400S. The Mobil 1 filter is fine, but not worth the additional money.

 

[Rongold]

Thanks very much, Corsart, for the insightful answer. I did buy the motorcraft oil filter from Amazon but it was too big to be spun in, and much shorter. The owner manual lists FL500S Oil Filter. Every reference check lists FL500S as the correct filter for 2009 Lincoln MKS. But it Simply does not fit.
Instead I bought Mobil 1 long life filter which surprisingly did fit. Motorcraft FL500S Oil Filter, Oil Filters & Accessories - Amazon Canada

2009 was a transition year for oil filters. Cars built up until 4/27/09 take the FL-400S, and cars built after take the FL-500S. The 400 filter has 3/4" threads and the 500 filter has metric 22mm threads. You must have an owner's manual for a car built later in the year than your car is---possibly a replacement manual.