Maverick – Chris Ness – Amsoil Independent Dealer

2025 GHMA Ford Stampede

If you are interested in Ford vehicles both old and new come join us at the 2025 Golden Horseshoe Mustang Association’s All Ford Stampede Car Show at the Flamboro Speedway on Sunday August 24th, 2025.

I’ll be in the vendor section handing out stickers, product booklets and there will be a few example products on the table. I’ll be signing up new customers – no one really wants to lug a case of 12 quarts of Z-Rod oil around a car show on a hot summer day. Get it delivered! Stop by with any questions you might have an be sure to grab some candy.

Will be bringing my 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD this year. Did an early oil change to get rid of the break-in material on Monday night after the heat broke in Southern Ontario. Also drained and filled my Power Transfer Unit (PTU) while I had the belly pan off. There was some forum suggestions to check the level as they can be slightly under filled from the factory. Glad I did. More on that in a future post.

If you make it to the show. Be sure to stop by and introduce yourself.

Ford Maverick – Second Oil Change

After 13,300 km the onboard oil life monitor suggested it was time to schedule an oil change. It said I had 18% oil life left when I changed it at ~16,300km.

Everything looked pretty much the same as the last time I was under there. No oil leaks from the filter or drain plug – CV half shafts were not leaking. Just a simple oil change on ramps and using a creeper to get the hairy cardboard belly pan off and then back on the road for another 13,000 kms.

Ford Maverick – First Oil Change

I decided to drain the factory fill early around 3,000 kms to help clear out any manufacturing contaminates and put in a high quality Signature Series ASM 0W-20 oil. I was also excited to have a look under the vehicle and see how difficult it will be to service in the future.

Update: AMSOIL has released a new oil specifically for hybrid engine applications which is API certified!

2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid

It was time to upgrade vehicles and I had been shopping around. The Ford Maverick with the hybrid engine checks most of the boxes for my use of a vehicle. I was very interested in the fuel economy numbers without going to a fully electric vehicle just yet. They are popular in Canada but I’m not ready to have to think about charging my vehicle – I can barely remember to plug in my phone at night.

Using the waste energy from braking and putting that into a battery system seems like a normal evolution for vehicle power plants. Why waste energy as heat if you can capture some of it to be used again – getting that last bit of energy out of the fuel. I much prefer a naturally aspirated engine over a turbo for my use – the electric generators act like the turbo when you stomp on the accelerator. I also love the mechanical simplification of everything being electric – water pump, AC compressor, fan, etc. No serpentine belts to change on this engine. The downside being a lot more computers and wires to run everything.

There are indeed disadvantages for towing, convenience/luxury – I miss my proximity unlock feature, unibody construction, FWD and the fact that this new-ish platform seems to have a few wrinkles to be worked out. I believe it is based on the Escape Hybrid platform – and isn’t completely new. I also appreciate that the transmission is very similar to the Toyota planetary gear CVT – not belt driven.

So far, so good. I personally prefer the more truck like appearance of the Maverick over the Hyundai Santa Cruz. It’s amazing to be able to reach over the side of the bed of a truck again to access contents. I think it was worth the wait for my order to be built.