2023 FORD Bronco Sport Maintenance Guidelines
Introduction
Welcome to the in-depth maintenance instructions for your 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. In the sections that follow, we’ll provide you the vital information and tips you need to make sure your Bronco Sport keeps delivering top performance, dependability, and enjoyment for years to come. Maintaining the capabilities and features that make your Bronco Sport a fantastic vehicle for both on-road and off-road excursions requires careful maintenance. Whether you’re an experienced Bronco fan or new to the model, this manual will arm you with the information and techniques required to maintain your car in top condition.
We’ve got you covered, whether you need basic care or specialized treatment. Learn how to get the most out of your ownership experience by delving into the world of 2023 Ford Bronco Sport maintenance.
Scheduled Maintenance
GENERAL MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?
Carefully following the maintenance schedule helps protect against major repair expenses resulting from neglect or inadequate maintenance and may help to increase the value of your vehicle when you sell or trade it. Keep all receipts for completed maintenance with your vehicle.
We have established regular maintenance intervals for your vehicle based upon rigorous testing. It is important that you have your vehicle serviced at the proper times. These intervals serve two purposes; one is to maintain the reliability of your vehicle and the second is to keep your cost of owning your vehicle down.
It is your responsibility to have all scheduled maintenance performed and to make sure that the materials used meet the specifications identified in this owner’s manual. See Capacities and Specifications .
Failure to perform scheduled maintenance invalidates warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of maintenance.
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at Your Dealership?
Factory-Trained Technicians
Service technicians participate in extensive factory-sponsored certification training to help them become experts on the operation of your vehicle. Ask your dealership about the training and certification their technicians have received.
Genuine Ford and Motorcraft® Replacement Parts
Dealerships stock Ford, Motorcraft and Ford-authorized branded re-manufactured replacement parts. These parts meet or exceed our specifications. Parts installed at your dealership carry a nationwide 24-month or unlimited mile (kilometer) parts and labor limited warranty.
If you do not use our authorized parts, they may not meet our specifications and depending on the part, it could affect emissions compliance.
Convenience
Many dealerships have extended evening and Saturday hours to make your service visit more convenient and they offer one stop shopping. They can perform any services that are required on your vehicle, from general maintenance to collision repairs.
Note: Not all dealers have extended hours or body shops. Please contact your dealer for details.
Protecting Your Investment
Maintenance is an investment that pays dividends in the form of improved reliability, durability and resale value. To maintain the proper performance of your vehicle and its emission control systems, make sure you have scheduled maintenance performed at the designated intervals.
Your vehicle has an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system, a message appears in the information display at the proper oil change interval. This interval may be up to one year or 10,000 mi (16,000 km), hybrid vehicles may exceed 10,000 mi (16,000 km). Your vehicle can be driven in such a way that dilutes and increases the level of oil by short trips that do not allow the engine to get to operating temperature, extended idling, and low speed driving for long periods of time.
When the oil change message appears in the information display, it is time for an oil change. Make sure you perform the oil change within two weeks or 500 mi (800 km) of the message appearing. Make sure you reset the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after each oil change. See Oil Change Indicator Reset.
If your information display resets prematurely or becomes inoperative, you should perform the oil change interval at six months or 5,000 mi (8,000 km) from your last oil change. Never exceed one year or 10,000 mi (16,000 km) between oil change intervals,
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built with multiple, complex, performance systems. Every manufacturer develops these systems using different specifications and performance features. That is why it is important to rely upon your dealership to properly diagnose and repair your vehicle.
We have recommended maintenance intervals for various parts and component systems based upon engineering testing. We rely upon this testing to determine the most appropriate mileage for replacement of oils and fluids to protect your vehicle at the lowest overall cost to you and recommends against maintenance schedules that deviate from the scheduled maintenance information. We strongly recommend the use of only genuine Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized re-manufactured replacement parts engineered for your vehicle.
Additives and Chemicals
This owner’s manual and our Workshop Manual list the recommended additives and chemicals for your vehicle. We do not recommend using chemicals or additives not approved by us as part of your vehicle’s normal maintenance. Please consult your warranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid needs to be changed. However, a qualified expert, such as the factory-trained technicians at your dealership, should inspect discolored fluids that also show signs of overheating or foreign material contamination immediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle’s oils and fluids at the specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system or using a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basic maintenance checks and inspections every month or at six-month intervals.
| Check Every Month |
| Engine oil level. |
| Function of all interior and exterior lights. |
| Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure. |
| Windshield washer fluid level. |
| Fuel and water separator. Drain if necessary (or if indicated by the information display). |
| Holes and slots in the tail pipe to make sure they are functional and clear of debris. |
| Check Every Six Months |
| Battery connections. Clean if necessary. |
| Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary. |
| Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength. |
| Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary. |
| Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary. |
| Parking brake for proper operation. |
| Seatbelts and seat latches for wear and function. |
| Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and seatbelt) for operation. |
| Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary. |
Multi-Point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right, it is important to have the systems on your vehicle checked regularly. This can help identify potential issues and prevent major problems. We recommend having the following multi-point inspection performed at every scheduled maintenance interval to help make sure your vehicle keeps running great.
| Multi-Point Inspection | |
| Accessory drive belt(s) | Hazard warning system operation |
| Battery performance | Horn operation |
| Engine air filter | Radiator, cooler, heater and air conditioning hoses |
| Exhaust system | Suspension components for leaks or damage |
| Exterior lamps operation | Steering and linkage |
| Fluid levels1; fill if necessary | Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure2 |
| For oil and fluid leaks | Windshield for cracks, chips or pits |
| Half-shaft dust boots | Washer spray and wiper operation |
- Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, automatic transmission and window washer.
- If your vehicle comes with a temporary mobility kit, check the tire sealant expiration Use By date on the canister. Replace as needed.
Be sure to ask your dealership service advisor or technician about the multi-point vehicle inspection. It is a comprehensive way to perform a thorough inspection of your vehicle. Your checklist gives you immediate feedback on the overall condition of your vehicle.
NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor™
Your vehicle has an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor that determines when you should change the engine oil based on how you use your vehicle. By using several important factors in its calculations, the monitor helps reduce the cost of owning your vehicle and reduces environmental waste at the same time.
This means you do not have to remember to change the oil on a mileage-based schedule. Your vehicle lets you know when an oil change is due by displaying a message in the information display.
The following table provides examples of vehicle use and its impact on oil change intervals. It is a guideline only. Actual oil change intervals depend on several factors and generally decrease with severity of use.
| When to Expect the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED Message | |
| Interval1 | Vehicle Use and Example |
| Normal | |
| 7,500–10,000 mi (12,000–16,000 km) |
Normal commuting with highway driving No, or moderate, load or towing Flat to moderately hilly roads |
| No extended idling | |
| Severe | |
| 5,000–7,500 mi (8,000–12,000 km) |
Moderate to heavy load or towing Mountainous or off-road conditions Extended idling |
| Extended hot or cold operation | |
| 3,000–5,000 mi (5,000–8,000 km) |
Extreme |
| Maximum load or towing Extreme hot or cold operation | |
| Extended engine idling | |
- Hybrid vehicles may achieve longer distances between oil changes, but do not exceed the 1 year maximum oil change interval. Remaining oil life can be accessed through the information display. See Information Displays.
Normal Maintenance Intervals
| At Every Oil Change Interval as Indicated by the Information Display1 |
| Change the engine oil and filter. |
| Rotate the tires, inspect tire wear and measure the tread depth. |
| Perform a multi-point inspection, recommended. |
| Inspect the automatic transmission fluid level, if your vehicle has a dipstick. Consult your dealer for requirements. |
| Inspect the brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings, hoses and the parking brake. |
| Inspect the engine cooling system strength and hoses. |
| Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields. |
| Inspect the front axle and U-joints. Lubricate if equipped with grease fittings. Four–wheel drive vehicles. |
| Inspect the half-shaft boots. |
| Inspect the steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tire-rod ends, driveshaft and the U- joints. Lubricate any areas with grease fittings. |
| Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag. |
- Do not exceed one year or 10,000 mi (16,000 km) between service intervals.
| Brake Fluid Maintenance1 | |
| Every 3 Years | Change the brake fluid.2 |
- Perform this maintenance item every 3 years. Do not exceed the designated time for the interval.
- Brake fluid servicing requires special equipment available at your authorized dealer.
| Other Maintenance Items 1 | |
| Every 20,000 mi (32,000 km) |
Replace the cabin air filter. |
| Every 30,000 mi (48,000 km) |
Replace the engine air filter. |
| Every 100,000 mi (160,000 km) |
Replace the spark plugs. |
| Inspect the accessory drive belt or belts. 2 | |
| Every 150,000 mi (240,000 km) |
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter. |
| Change the front axle fluid. Four-wheel drive vehicles. | |
| Change the rear axle fluid. | |
| Change the transfer case fluid. Four-wheel drive vehicles. | |
| Replace the accessory drive belt or belts. | |
| At 200,000 mi (320,000 km) |
Change the engine coolant. 3 |
- Perform these maintenance items within 3,000 mi (4,800 km) of the last engine oil and filter change. Do not exceed the designated distance for the interval.
- After initial inspection, inspect every other oil change until replaced.
- Initial replacement at 10 years or 200,000 mi (320,000 km), then every five years or 100,000 mi (160,000 km).
SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
If you operate your vehicle primarily in any of the following conditions, you need to perform extra maintenance, as indicated. If you operate your vehicle occasionally under any of these conditions, it is not necessary to perform the extra maintenance. For specific recommendations, see your dealership service advisor or technician. Perform the services shown in the following tables when specified or within 3,000 mi (4,800 km) of the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message appearing in the information display.
- Example 1: The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message comes on at 28,751 mi (46,270 km). Perform the 30,000 mi (48,000 km) automatic transmission fluid replacement.
- Example 2: The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message has not come on, but the odometer reads 30,000 mi (48,000 km) (for example, the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor was reset at 25,000 mi (40,000 km)). Perform the engine air filter replacement.
| Towing a Trailer or Using a Car-top Carrier | |
| As required | Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the information display and perform services listed in the Normal Scheduled Maintenance chart. |
| Inspect frequently, service as required | Inspect and lubricate U-joints. |
| See axle maintenance items under Exceptions. | |
| Every 60,000 mi (96,000 km) | Replace spark plugs. |
| Extensive Idling or Low-speed Driving for Long Distances, as in Heavy Commercial Use (Such as Delivery, Taxi, Patrol Car or Livery) | |
| As required | Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the information display and perform services listed in the Normal Scheduled Maintenance chart. |
| Inspect frequently, service as required | Replace engine air filter. |
| Every 60,000 mi (96,000 km) |
Replace spark plugs. |
| Operating in Dusty or Sandy Conditions (Such as Unpaved or Dusty Roads) | |
| Inspect frequently, service as required | Replace engine air filter. |
| Every 5,000 mi (8,000 km) | Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag. |
| Rotate tires, inspect tires for wear and measure tread depth. | |
| Every 5,000 mi (8,000 km) or six months | Change engine oil and filter.1 |
- Reset your Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after each engine oil and filter change.
| Off-road Operation | |
| Inspect frequently, service as required | Inspect steering linkage, ball joints and U-joints. Lubricate if equipped with grease fittings. |
| Replace engine air filter. | |
| Every 5,000 mi (8,000 km) or six months | Change engine oil and filter.1 |
| Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag. | |
| Rotate tires, inspect tires for wear and measure tread depth. | |
- Reset your Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after each engine oil and filter change.
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to the Normal Schedule.
California Fuel Filter Replacement
If you register your vehicle in California, the California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item does not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability before the completion of your vehicle’s useful life. Ford Motor Company, however, urges you to have all recommended maintenance services performed at the specified intervals and to record all vehicle service.
Hot Climate Oil Change Intervals
Vehicles operating in the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or locations with similar climates using an American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified for Gasoline Engines (Certification mark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normal oil change interval is 3,000 mi (4,800 km).
If the available API SM or SN oils are not available, then the oil change interval is 1,800 mi (2,900 km).
Engine Air Filter Replacement
The life of the engine air filter is dependent on exposure to dusty and dirty conditions. Vehicles operated in these conditions require frequent inspection and replacement of the engine air filter.
FAQs
Ford advises doing so every 7,500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
The Bronco Sport normally needs synthetic engine oil with a viscosity rating of 5W-20.
To guarantee even wear, rotate the tires every 7,500 miles or as instructed in your owner’s handbook.
Every 30,000 miles or whenever there is a reduction in airflow, check and replace the engine air filter.
No, premium fuel is not necessary. Ford advises using standard unleaded fuel with an octane value of 87 or higher, though, for best performance.
For clean and fresh interior air, replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 to 30,000 miles, or as needed.
Consistently check the brake fluid’s condition and level. Regardless of mileage, Ford advises replenishing the brake fluid every three years.
The frequency of transmission fluid changes varies depending on the type of driving. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual, but generally speaking, 60,000 to 100,000 miles are advised.
To maintain effective combustion, check spark plugs every 30,000 miles and replace as necessary.
Ford advises flushing and replacing the coolant every 100,000 miles or every 10 years.
As directed in your owner’s handbook, regularly check the power steering fluid level and fill it off as necessary.
The 2023 Bronco Sport comes with a lifetime fuel filter, thus under typical operating conditions, it won’t need to be changed on a regular basis.
Make sure the vehicle is in good mechanical condition, the tires are filled properly, and all fluids are at the correct levels before embarking on any off-road excursions.
You can perform a lot of basic maintenance procedures at home, like air filter replacement and oil changes. For instructions, consult your owner’s handbook.
Refer to your owner’s handbook for instructions on how to reset the maintenance reminder. Usually, it entails going to the settings menu of the car.
Useful Links
View Full PDF: 2023 FORD Bronco Sport| Auto User Guide
Download Manual: Ford Vehicle Owner Manuals | Ford