Our trucking company values the safety of our staff above everything else, and to ensure their continued safety; we stress how important it is for them to take proper care of their vehicles. Among other things, we stress the importance of ensuring their trucks’ oil levels are well-maintained. At Decatur Trailer Sales & Service, Inc., we recommend changing the oil of each semi-truck every 25,000 miles. Follow these steps and advice to care for your semi-truck properly.
Why is it Important to do a Regular Oil Change?
The most significant reason to regularly change your oil is, of course, personal safety. If you drive a semi-truck, you want a powerful machine to continue functioning properly. You don’t want your truck to seize up, malfunction, or break down on the road, as any of those occurrences could lead to a potentially dangerous situation. Old oil will break down over time and cause it to lose its viscosity and ability to lubricate the engine’s cylinder walls. If you change your semi-truck’s oil regularly, you will help maintain its lifespan, ensuring your vehicle’s longevity and safety on the job. If you ever find yourself in a dangerous or inconvenient situation, we hope you’ll contact us at Decatur Trailer Sales & Service, Inc.
How Can You Tell it is Time to Change the Oil?
Many factors contribute to a semi-truck’s performance, including the age, model, driving conditions, and driving style of the truck driver. Thankfully, today we have the technology to alert us when an oil change is necessary. Your vehicle’s system will calculate mileage, engine temperatures, idle time, trip time, engine loads, and the starts and stops of the ignition. Then, it can establish an oil change requirement based on those factors. If you’d rather do it manually, the most accurate way is to use the dipstick, which has markings that show both minimum and maximum oil levels. Simply insert it into the oil tank and withdraw. If the oil level is between the two lines, you’re good to go. If it’s below the lowest line, add more oil. When you need preventative semi-truck maintenance to keep your vehicle running smoothly, we provide oil changes and much more!
What are the Main Factors to Determine the Frequency of Oil Changes?
The main factor in determining how frequently you need to change your oil is the type of oil you’re using: conventional or synthetic. Conventional engine oil is more affordable, though it needs to be changed more frequently. Synthetic oil is proven excellent in colder temperatures, which is important, so it maintains its viscosity for a longer period. You can decide which oil is best for your needs. Another important factor is the type of semi-truck engine you have: diesel or turbocharged. They each have specifications on how often the oil needs to be changed—diesel engines tend to require more frequent oil changes. Extreme temperatures – whether intense heat or intense cold – will also affect your oil and potentially cause it to wear out more quickly.
How Do I Extend the Oil Change Interval for My Truck?
One of the most commonly used and successful methods to reduce the number of oil changes your truck needs is adding additives to the oil to boost its viscosity and base number. Additives can prolong the life of the lubricant, though they cannot prevent aging and degradation, unfortunately. Additives have three basic roles: to enhance existing base oil properties, to suppress undesirable base oil properties, and to impart new properties to base oils. However, please exercise caution. Adding too many additives can mess with the lubricant’s formulation balance. You could also try a method known as the “bleed-and-feed” partial oil change, which is used when changing the oil is too risky or inconvenient. You drain a portion of the oil volume and then quickly pour new oil into the tank, which removes some contaminants and introduces new additives.
When you need professional services for your semi-truck, please call Decatur Trailer Sales & Service, Inc. today at 217.422.7179!
