We have had several Fords and decided to get a 2019 F350 Diesel crew cab to tow our fifth wheel. The maintenance manual indicates the oil change interval is every 5000 miles but we got a notice via the onboard oil monitoring system that an oil change was needed after only 3000 miles. The truck is used to tow the fifth wheel, this isn’t an around town car or commuter vehicle. Just curious if anyone else is experiencing the same type of interval notice? The thing is designed to tow and came basically ready to go. Wondering why the published information isn’t jiving with the onboard monitoring system.

 

So the programming looks at more then just mileage to determine when the oil should be changed.
I did not find a list of inputs on the Ford site, I would assume the following to be inputs.
Frequency, length, and general speed of trips. How often towing and if its bumper pull or fifth wheel.

Now if this is the first oil change it may be programmed to be at a shorter internal, this is just a guess though.

 

Even with the tighter specs that today's engines are manufactured, "Run in" is not necessary, but some manufacturers have found it beneficial to change the original oil a little earlier because sometimes casting chips/pieces break loose and could cause problems up the road. Hence the earlier oil change. Worth the extra effort and usually insures greater longevity and reliability.