Oil change and filter interval

I generally go about 12-15,000 between changes. Use the valvoline that is cummins certified and fleetguard filters. Runs about $250-ish, all told. That's here in the NE and getting it by the 5 gallon pails. I swear by getting the oil analyzed by a lab. I use Blackstone labs and they do a good job. If you have any questions just call them up and you can talk to the person that did the test. I have had a lot of information given to me by these conversations. I go through about a gallon between oil changes, with around 482,000 on the motor and around 13,000 hours. I don't idle, except to warm up and cool down, as per the manual. I have always said it's a lot cheaper to do an oil change than a motor change. isx-15 600 hp. 2013 Pete 389

 

I don't run synthetic or synthetic blend in mine. Mobil Delvac does have a straight 10w30 conventional oil made for Diesel engines. I haven't found anyone that carries it on hand around home, but my local farm store orders it for me when I need it. Only thing is I have to buy a layer of cases (on a pallet) at a time. Which I have no problem doing. Extended drains just don't sit well with me, so I still change at 15,000-18,000 miles.

 

Thanks for the info. I didn't know they made a 10w30 conventional. I'll look into it.

 

If you don't mind me asking what year and make is your rig? I was under the impression that idling the newer emissions trucks at all is very bad for them long term, but your DPF lasted up to 750k. Do you do frequent parked regenerations? Have you needed to replace the 7th injector?

I am leasing a 2017 Cascadia DD13 and I try to never ever idle to make it last the next 10 years, but it is below zero right now and I can't run the risk of it not starting again in the morning. your post puts a different perspective on emissions system longevity. Thanks much

 

2011 Cascadia with the DD15. I idle mine a lot. I don't have an apu & I'm going to be comfortable. Run it on fast idle as that helps. I never do parked regens cause the truck does them on its own while I'm driving & I've never replaced an injector. I know one of them has been replaced before I bought the truck but I don't know which one.

 

I called a couple dealers to find out the type of oil for my truck (2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD15). They both said their computers say 15w40. One of their mechanics overheard our conversation when I told them my Detroit engine manual says 10w30. So he said that sometime in the 2010s, Detroit switched from 15w40 to 10w30. The manual says it’s the “preferred oil for optimal fuel economy in all DD platform engines.”

It’s true that 15w40 is cheaper, but if 10w30 gives you better mpgs, it might just pay for itself and especially if it can make your engine last longer.

 

Gonna take a lot of fuel savings to pay for it and I don't believe the MPG difference is that much. I also don't believe the motor will last longer. I'm not an expert on oil anymore, been out of the oil game too long but back when synthetics first came out they weren't much better and you couldn't mix them with conventional oil. Most 10w30 is a synthetic blend so I'm not sure there's any benefit except to the oil company.

 

I do mine at 12 k. Before I replaced my engine I did some experimenting.

Oil sample showed I could easily do 18K. At 28k the oil was flagged for low base and high oxidation.

 

15000 miles.

You could take it to 25000 but its not ideal. 15000.

Make sure you keep enough oil and coolant in that tractor to replace a total loss of both. You never know when you need to have it.

 

Who keeps 10-11 gallons of oil and 12-14 gallons of coolant with them? Where in the hell would you even keep it, on the bed?