When changing the oil in your semi-truck it a vital part of truck maintenance to ensure the health of your truck’s engine. That being a fact does not mean one size fits all for semi-truck maintenance. Especially when determining the ideal oil change intervals. It will depend how you use your truck. Let’s break down the different scenarios to help you determine the best oil change schedule for your rig.
Oil Change Intervals for Long-Hauls
When using your truck for primarily on Highways, your oil change intervals will be less frequent. Semi’s being used this way will often experience less engine wear compared to Semi’s used in more demanding environments. With the modern synthetic oils trucks mostly being used for long-haul can be from 35,000 miles to 50,000 miles before needing an oil service. Some Semi Truck manufacturers, such as Cummins, and Detroit Diesel, even approve extended intervals of up to 60,000 miles when using an advanced synthetic oil and perform regular oil analysis.
Oil Change Intervals for Severe Service Trucks
If your truck operates in severe service conditions—such as frequent city driving, stop-and-go traffic, or carrying heavy loads—your oil will need to be changed more often. These conditions place additional strain on your engine, causing oil to break down more quickly.
For Trucks that operate in these environments, we recommend that the oil change be between 25,000-35,000 miles. Engines that experience more stop and go or spend time in idling in traffic might need more regular maintenance to prevent problems in the future from wear and tear.
Off-Road/ Extreme Service Oil Change Intervals
Your oil change intervals would be even shorter if your truck operates in off-road or severe conditions — for example, dusty environments, high altitudes, extreme temperatures and so on. In these rough conditions, any adulteration of oil can bring contamination too quickly and mechanic overburden. Trucks in these situations should anticipate having to change their oil at 15,000-25,000 miles for proper engine protection and performance.
Particulates can also enter the oil in dusty or dirty environments and accelerate engine part wear. Similarly, higher or lower temperatures can result in oil thinning out too much or not enough for its operating window and make it less effective.
The most readily available information on drain intervals is spelled out in the form of manufacturer recommendations and oil analysis.
Most of the popular engine manufacturers like Cummins, Detroit Diesel and PACCAR have their own specific oil change criteria for each individual model. These specifications are typically available in the owner’s manual, or online. Below are some basic tips to follow while changing your oil, but keeping an eye on the condition of your engine’s lubricant is far more important than knowing when exactly it will need a change.
Regular oil analysis is one of the best ways to optimize your intervals for regular changes. The service actually reports real-time data on the condition of your oil, which lets you know when an oil change is due. Oil analysis will tell you if your changing oil too soon or if there’s an engine problem developing before it costs thousands.
Regular Oil Changes for a Smoother Ride
In conclusion, oil changes are generally the simplest and best way to preserve your semi-truck engine.
Here at TAT Express we provide the services we just discussed. Please check out our YouTube channel or give a call with any questions you might have in regards to your Semi Truck in the Dallas Texas Area. We are here to help.