Ford's claim:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs5HusCGBAoThe website seems to agree with the manual:
http://owner.ford.com/how-tos/vehicle-features/dashboard-instrument-cluster/intelligent-oil-life-monitor.htmlThe Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system analyzes your vehicle's data to determine the recommended time to change your oil. This video shows how the system works.
NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Your vehicle is equipped with an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) that determines when you should change your engine oil based on how your vehicle is used. By considering several important factors in its calculations, the IOLM helps ensure that your engine can perform at its best while also helping you avoid unnecessary oil changes.
With the help of the IOLM, you don't have to remember to change your oil on a preset mileage-based schedule. Your vehicle will let you know when it's time for an oil change by displaying a message in the information display.
The following table provides examples of vehicle use and how each scenario can affect oil change intervals. In practice, actual oil change intervals will depend on several different factors, but severe usage will generally require more frequent changes. Also, if it's been more than a year since your last oil change, the IOLM will display a reminder message regardless of your mileage.
When to expect the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message
Vehicle use Interval
Normal
•Normal commuting with highway driving
•No loading or towing, or moderate loads and towing
•Flat to moderately hilly roads
•No extended idling
7,500-10,000 miles (12,000-16,000 km)
Severe
•Extended hot or cold operation
•Moderate to heavy loads and towing
•Mountainous or off-road conditions
•Extended idling
5,000-7,499 miles (8,000-11,999 km)
Extreme
•Extreme hot or cold operation
•Maximum loads and towing
3,000-4,999 miles (4,800-7,999 km)