2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty Factory Maintenance Schedule

The 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty, the inaugural year of the aluminum-alloy body "Alumiduty" generation, is an absolute powerhouse. Whether you are running the trusty 6.2L Boss V8 gas engine or the monstrous 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel, keeping this heavy-duty rig on the road requires strict adherence to factory-specified maintenance. Neglecting fluids or filters on a heavy-duty truck can lead to catastrophic repair bills, particularly on the complex Power Stroke platform.

As an ASE-certified master technician, I’ve put together this factory-spec maintenance guide to keep your 2017 Ford F-350 operating at peak performance from 5,000 all the way to 150,000 miles.

Quick reference

Note: Ford uses an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM). The table below reflects typical maximum mileage intervals under normal driving conditions. Always change the oil when the IOLM prompts you, or at least once a year.

Brake Fluid Flush: Ford recommends replacing brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage.

Severe-duty schedule

Most Ford F-350s are not treated as grocery-getters. If you use your truck for heavy towing, hauling at maximum payload, extensive idling, short trips in freezing weather, or driving on dusty dirt roads, you fall under the Severe-Duty maintenance schedule.

• Oil Changes: The IOLM will likely trigger between 5,000 and 7,500 miles. Do not exceed 5,000 miles or 6 months if doing extreme towing or extensive idling (common on diesel work trucks).
• Fuel Filters (6.7L Diesel): Replace every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Clean fuel is the lifeblood of the CP4 high-pressure fuel pump.
• Transmission & Transfer Case Fluid: Replace every 60,000 miles (instead of 150,000) if you tow frequently.
• Front & Rear Axle (Differential) Fluid: Change every 60,000 miles under heavy towing conditions, or immediately if the axles have been submerged in deep water.
• Spark Plugs (6.2L Gas): Replace at 60,000 miles instead of 97,500 miles.

Known issues by mileage

The 2017 redesign brought a host of improvements, but this generation of Super Duty still has a few quirks to watch out for as the miles pile up:

• 30,000 - 60,000 Miles: "Death Wobble." A well-known solid front axle issue. If the steering wheel violently shakes after hitting a bump at highway speeds, inspect the track bar bushing, drag link, tie rod ends, and the steering damper.
• 60,000 - 80,000 Miles: Upper oil pan leaks (6.7L Power Stroke). It's a labor-intensive repair requiring the removal of the transmission to reseal properly.
• 100,000+ Miles: CP4 Fuel Pump Failure (6.7L Diesel). While Ford updated the CP4 pump, failures still occur, often due to water in the fuel or poor lubricity. A failure can send metal shards through the entire fuel system. (Pro tip: use fuel additives and change your filters religiously).
• Any Mileage: Tailgate latch freezing/unlatching. This was an active recall for 2017-2019 models where water intrudes into the actuator, causing the tailgate to drop open randomly.

Estimated cost per service

Heavy-duty truck maintenance carries heavy-duty price tags, largely due to fluid capacities.

• Oil Change (6.2L Gas): $80 - $120 (7 quarts synthetic blend).
• Oil Change (6.7L Diesel): $150 - $200 (13 quarts full synthetic/heavy-duty).
• Diesel Fuel Filters (Upper and Lower): $150 - $250.
• Transmission Fluid Service: $250 - $400.
• Coolant Flush (Diesel has two cooling systems): $200 - $350.
• Spark Plugs (6.2L Gas - 16 plugs total): $350 - $550 (Labor intensive).
• Differential/Transfer Case Service: $150 - $250 per axle/case.

What you can DIY vs shop

What you can DIY: If you have a large drain pan and basic hand tools, basic maintenance on the F-350 is very approachable. Engine oil and filter changes are straightforward, thanks to ample ground clearance. Changing both the upper and lower diesel fuel filters is also a DIY-friendly task, provided you follow the correct priming procedure (cycling the key to let the lift pump bleed air) before starting the engine. Air and cabin filters take only minutes to swap out.

What to leave to the shop: Flushing the dual cooling system on the 6.7L Power Stroke is highly complex and requires vacuum-filling to prevent air pockets that can destroy the EGR cooler or engine. Spark plug replacement on the 6.2L V8 involves 16 spark plugs (two per cylinder), some of which are buried near the firewall and prone to breaking if not extracted carefully. Finally, transmission fluid flushes (TorqShift 6-speed) and tracking down front-end "Death Wobble" geometry should be handed over to a certified professional.

Don't let deferred maintenance sideline your Super Duty. Book service on Repairius.