Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an improved maintenance scheduling system that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on June 11th, 2023, published on October 3rd, 2024, and assigned serial number 0330873.
The Ford Authority Take
In the past few months, The Blue Oval has published a few patents outlining ways that future Ford vehicles may one day be able to automate some of the maintenance process, via ideas including a specialized diagnostic reporting setup and an automated maintenance assistant system, to name just a couple. Now, this newly published patent keeps that trend going, this time, by presenting us with an interesting idea for an improved maintenance scheduling system that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.
As Ford points out in this patent filing, owners generally find maintenance appointments to be a bit of an inconvenience, particularly since it takes time, could lead to the discovery of other problems, and oftentimes involves dealerships trying to sell additional products or services. Also, many vehicle owners don’t have a full understanding in terms of what kinds of maintenance items are needed and which ones aren’t, which can make the process even more confusing and frustrating. Thus, that’s where this particular proposed system comes into play.
Here, Ford is proposing a system that could more accurately tailor maintenance recommendations to a specific vehicle by collecting data over time, which it would then use to deliver personalized maintenance recommendations. This is a bit more involved than the current systems we’ve seen that inform users when it’s time to change oil, based only on mileage, as it would take a host of factors into account – including the usage of the vehicle. The system could even display the cost of these maintenance items, making it a bit more transparent – and perhaps leading to less time and frustration at the dealership.
Comments
Mobile service is fine with work done in your driveway but I’m not a fan of this pickup your vehicle thing. If they left a loaner for big jobs, it would be better. But I cringe at having someone drive my vehicle 10+ miles away in our horrific traffic for routine service or smaller jobs.
FORD just wants your Money! And more of it, and More Often. If they would quit charging so much for there OIL’S and Other Products it wouldn’t be quite so bad. Here’s a Fine Example. I had a Transmission Oil Service done on my Grandsons 2017 F-150 with the 10R80 Transmission at a FORD Specialist in Campbell California. I purchased the MOTORCRAFT Transmission Filter on my own through ROCK AUTO, it was $68.00 Inc Shipping. Then I had an Issue with my 2022 F-150 10R80 Tranny, it was serviced at a Dealer in San Jose Ca and they refused to replace the Tranny Filter because of Warranty B.S. I said I wanted it done anyway and that I would Pay for the Filter. That VERY SAME FILTER AT THE DEALERSHIP was $148.00. And I don’t even know if they “Actually” Replaced the filter??? NO CLUE!!! I was Ripped Off!! Just based on the actual Price.
Especially someone who can barely read speak or write English. Thats who they hire now for cheap labor.
Sign me up? Are you kidding me? Cadillac dealer called me every week when through the app they saw 25% oil life. I changed the oil at my mechanic reset the oil life monitor and guess what, the calls seem to have stopped.