With advances in oil and automotive technology, the frequency of engine oil has drastically changed. While there is no hard and fast rule, there are some guidelines you can follow for commercial vehicle oil changes. At SRB Equipment, we are often asked, “when should we change the oil in a commercial vehicle?”. Our truck routine maintenance experts are here to answer your questions.
Below, we cover everything you need to know about oil change frequencies in commercial trucks. If your vehicle needs an oil change, visit the trailer repair shop immediately to get your vehicle cared for.
General Oil Change Intervals
The average for an oil change is to be done at around 25,000 miles for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and approximately 5,000 miles for light-duty. Advances in diesel engine technology can even push certain vehicles past the 50,000-mile mark, drastically cutting down on annual oil change needs.
What Determines Oil Change Frequency?
Your Driving Style
The driving style could be one of the main factors that impact the frequency of oil changes in commercial trucks. Many truck owners follow the wrong oil change schedule because they assume they typically drive in normal conditions.
- Normal Conditions
Normal conditions are based on ideal driving conditions – driving short distances, never over the speed limit, level roads, no load, etc. in normal conditions, your owner’s manual will probably recommend an oil change every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. - Severe Conditions–
Your owner’s manual recommends an oil change about every 25,000 miles in extreme driving conditions. The average driver, more often than not, falls within this category—routinely navigating steep inclines, driving in hot weather, stop-and-go traffic, dusty environments, towing a trailer, and other challenging driving situations.
Your Choice of Oil Quality
Good quality engine oil not only increases fuel efficiency and engine strength but can also increase the oil change time. Top-rated oil helps you to run more without changing the oil so Avoid low-grade oil at all costs because it might cause more harm than good. Moreover, cheap oil gets unusually thick in freezing weather.
Weather Circumstances
The weather in Canada demands the high strength of a vehicle. During the cold winter months, most people need to ensure their oil filters and oil are working at their peak level. If not done regularly, the weather may affect your vehicle’s performance.
At 30 F, the overall consistency of your engine oil can get similar to honey which can be challenging to pass through the filter and keep the engine running ideally in cold weather. Oil changes need to be taken care of during the beginning of any typical cold weather to ensure that your oil is not too thin or thick.
The Idling Effect
Long idle times on trucks will result in more frequent oil changes than on other trucks. Additionally, idling can also decrease fuel efficiency. Many drivers who must suffer long periods of idling will instead utilize their engine’s run time as a guide.
How to Know When to Change Your commercial vehicle Oil
Knowing when to change your oil is essential for a truck driver or fleet owner. While your owner’s manual will guide you the best, there are other signs to look out for.
You can check the oil using the dipstick. If the dipstick shows low engine oil levels, it’s time to find a truck maintenance service near you. Additionally, the latest truck models come with oil sensor alerts that inform you in advance when your truck’s oil is about to end.
Ensuring that your commercial truck receives oil changes at the proper intervals helps maintain your vehicle’s health. It can help avoid wear and tear on engine components that may lead to unexpected breakdowns. Always remember truck routine maintenance is an investment in your truck’s future.
Why Regular Oil Changes Are Important
The longer you drive your commercial vehicle, the more issues your truck engine will face. The following points could face the truck driver if they do not change their commercial vehicle engine oil regularly:
- Corrosion of vital components
- Damage to your truck engine
- Costly repairs
- Unexpected breakdowns
- Decreases in fuel economy
Final Thought
Truck routine maintenance helps your truck improve fuel economy and ensures that each part works together for a healthy engine that keeps running. For truck maintenance service, you can contact SRB Equipment. A trailer repair shop in Edmonton that offers complete truck repair solutions from engine repair to regular maintenance at affordable rates. Contact us now!