Oil changes...

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by DC CAB, Jul 27, 2014.

  1. DC CAB

    DC CAB Medium Load Member

    Tried doing a search and came up with nothing so I'll ask now. What is the popular consensus on when to do oil changes in your truck, mileage wise? Would you be looking at 20k, 25k or even more miles between changes? What would be recommended?

    If this has been covered and I missed it, I apologize. Thanks, in advance.
     
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  3. purpleprime

    purpleprime Medium Load Member

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    Oil change intervals vary based on engine I have a dd15 and its every 50,000 miles seems like a lot but that is the manufacturer's recommended interval
     
  4. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    In the 40 years of being a licenced mechanic I can tell you that doing oil changes in everything is the key to a long life of the component. The longer the interval between oil changes the shorter the life of the engine especially.
    A very smart guy once told me that "an oil change is the cheapest overhaul you will not need" . If you figure the cost of an overhaul compared to an oil change, their are people that are willing to go by testing of the oil that does not get out the less than 30 micron particles that act like lapping compound. I am a firm believer in adding a gallon of ATF dex 3 to the engine about 1/2 hour, driving time, before you are going to drop the oil.
    Just a thought!
     
  5. DC CAB

    DC CAB Medium Load Member

    We're running Detroit 60. Friend was told to do 40k. I do mine at every 25k. Am I doing it too often or is he not doing it often enough? He just crossd over 600k and I am at 500k.
     
  6. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    Wow, has oil or engines changed that much? Back in the 80's and 90's, with my BC Cummins engines, if I got 10K miles or a month, I changed the oil. Did I give Shell Oil more money than I had too?
     
  7. Elvenhome21

    Elvenhome21 Heavy Load Member

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    Sheboygan, WI
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    IMO filter changes need to be done more often then oil changes when doing long intervals. I wouldnt want to go more the 15k without a filter change, good quality oil i could see running 25k+ but then I would do a oil sample every filter change just to see whats going on inside the engine for wear.
    The other MAJOR part of oil change interval is type of driving. P&D, LTL, Idle over night, I would be changing oil way more frequently then if it was long linehaul with limited idling. If the truck was doing 4000 mi a week with no idling I wouldnt have any issue running 30-40k between changes. Unless your cooking the oil in the mountains constantly, then id shorten the drains quite a bit.
     
  8. rickybobby

    rickybobby Road Train Member

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    greensboro, nc
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    Every 12k miles here. Cat C13
     
    Joetro Thanks this.
  9. Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    bismarck, nd
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    i run between 5k-7500 between drains, but i do a lot of low speed driving in dusty conditions. witch is typically around every 4 weeks. i did recently change fuel filter changes to every other oil change but in a otr application i think 20k would be pretty safe i think regardless of operating conditions id want to drop the oil at least every two months. you can sample and see how you're oil is looking at your drain intervals and go from there on what you feel comfortable with. but id lean towards changing oil earlier than you think your really need to. as stated earlier oil changes are cheaper than a in frame.
     
  10. Boardhauler

    Boardhauler Road Train Member

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    Ballin' in it for Shakey
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    Do regular analysis, change it when the numbers tell you to. Modern electronic engines create far less fuel dilution than the old mechanical versions. Oil is better too. Like "semi" I used to change mine every 10K, more often if off highway. My last change on my DD15 was @ 30K & the report came back so clean I'll probably stretch this one out to 35K.
     
  11. orangepicker

    orangepicker Road Train Member

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    florida
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    use recycle oil it cheaper and just as good
     
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