What is Lincoln Intelligent Oil Life Monitor and Service Lights

Most Lincoln vehicles are equipped with an electronic computer system linked to the dashboard that tells drivers when the oil needs to be changed and/or when the engine needs to be serviced. The message "CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON" or "NEED CHANGE OIL" will appear on the instrument panel, accompanied by a percentage indicator to notify the driver of the life of the oil. If a driver neglects a service light such as "OIL CHANGE SOON" or "OIL CHANGE REQUIRED", he or she risks damaging the engine, or worse, being stranded on the side of the road or causing an accident.

For these reasons, performing all the scheduled and recommended maintenance on your Lincoln vehicle is essential to keep it running properly so you can avoid the many untimely, inconvenient, and possibly costly repairs that result from negligence. Thankfully, the days of a standardized manual maintenance schedule are coming to an end. Smart technologies like Lincoln's Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) automatically monitors your vehicle's oil life with an advanced algorithm-driven on-board computer system that alerts owners when it's time for an oil change so they can resolve the issue quickly. and no hassle. All the owner has to do is make an appointment with a trusted mechanic, take the car in for service, and the mechanic will take care of the rest; it is so simple.

How the Lincoln IOLM System Works and What to Expect

The Lincoln IOLM system is not just an oil quality sensor, but a software algorithm that takes into account various engine operating conditions to determine the need for an oil change. Certain driving habits can affect oil life as well as driving conditions such as temperature and terrain. Lighter to moderate driving conditions and temperatures will require less frequent oil changes and maintenance, while more severe driving conditions will require more frequent oil changes and maintenance. Read the table below to find out how the IOLM system can determine oil life:

The Lincoln IOLM meter is located on the dashboard information display and counts down from 100% oil life to 0% as you continue driving. At some point, the computer will trigger a reminder: "CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON" or "OIL CHANGE NEEDED". After about 15% of the oil life, the computer will remind you "OIL CHANGE NEEDED", giving you enough time to plan ahead for your vehicle's service. It's important not to put off servicing your vehicle, especially when the gauge shows 0% oil life. If you wait and the maintenance is overdue, you run the risk of seriously damaging the engine, which can leave you stranded or worse.

The following table shows what the information on the dashboard means when the engine oil reaches a certain usage level:

Engine oil life depends not only on the factors listed above, but also on your vehicle model, year of manufacture, and the recommended type of oil. For more information on which oil is recommended for your vehicle, see your owner's manual and feel free to seek advice from one of our experienced technicians.

When the OIL CHANGE SOON or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED light comes on and you make an appointment to service your vehicle, Lincoln recommends a series of checks to help keep your vehicle in good working order. These checks can help prevent untimely and costly engine damage, depending on your driving habits and conditions. Lincoln has very specific scheduled maintenance schedules for your vehicle for a specific model and year. Click here and enter your year, make and model to find out which service package suits your car now, or refer to your owner's manual.

After completing an oil change and service, you may need to reset the IOLM system in your Lincoln. Some service people neglect this, which can lead to premature and unnecessary operation of the service indicator. There are many different ways to reset this indicator, depending on your model and year. See your owner's manual for instructions on how to do this for your Lincoln.

While engine oil percentage is calculated according to an algorithm that takes into account driving style and other specific driving conditions, other maintenance information is based on standard time tables, such as old maintenance schedules found in the owner's manual or found click here and enter the vehicle information. This does not mean that Lincoln drivers should ignore such warnings. Proper maintenance will greatly extend the life of your vehicle, ensuring its reliability, driving safety, and manufacturer's warranty, as well as providing greater resale value.

Such maintenance work must always be carried out by a qualified person. If you have any doubts about what Lincoln Oil Life Monitoring System means or what services your vehicle may need, feel free to seek advice from our experienced technicians.

If your Lincoln's oil life monitoring system indicates that your vehicle is ready for service, have it checked by a certified mechanic such as AvtoTachki. Click here, select your vehicle and service or package, and book an appointment with us today. One of our certified mechanics will come to your home or office to service your vehicle.