Semi Truck Oil Change Interval: How Often Should you Change Oil in a Semi-truck?

If you’re the owner of a semi-truck, then you know that oil changes are a necessary part of vehicle maintenance.

But how often should you change the oil in your semi-truck? That’s a question that many drivers are asking these days. Let’s not dribble around.

Here is the simple answer:

You should change the oil in your semi-truck every 25,000 miles without fail.

Well, that’s not all to know about your semi-truck and oil change interval.

This blog post will discuss the recommended oil change interval for semi-trucks, what type of oil to use, and the consequences of not changing your oil often enough.

By the end of this post, you will know everything there is to know about keeping your semi-truck engine healthy and running smoothly for years to come.

So let’s get started!

Why Did The Semi-Truck Need Oil?

The engine of the semi-truck needs oil for many reasons. The following are the reasons.

To Lubricate Your Engine Parts

As your engine runs, the moving parts inside create friction.

Friction produces heat and can damage or even melt engine parts. Oil helps to lubricate these parts, reducing the amount of friction and protecting them from damage.

To Keep Your Engine Cool

Another important function of oil is to keep your engine cool. As your engine runs for hours, it is evident that heat will be generated.

As oil circulates through the engine, it carries away heat. This helps to keep engine temperatures at a safe level and prevents overheating.

To Clean Your Engine

Over time, your engine will accumulate dirt and other debris. Oil helps clean these contaminants out of your engine, keeping it running smoothly.

To Seal Your Engine Parts

Oil also helps to seal and protect your engine parts. It does this by forming a film on metal surfaces, which prevents these surfaces from coming into direct contact.

This helps to reduce wear and tear on engine parts and extends the life of your engine. Now that you know why oil is so essential for your engine let’s look at how often you should change it.

What Interval Can You Change Your Semi-Truck Oil?

As we said earlier, the recommended oil change interval for semi-trucks is every 25,000 miles.

However, this is just a general guideline. The frequency with which you need to change your oil will depend on several factors, including:

The Age and Condition of Your Truck

You can usually go longer between oil changes if you have a newer truck. On the other hand, if your truck is older or in a poor state, you may need to change your oil more often.

How You Drive Your Truck

Another factor that will affect your oil change interval is how you drive your truck. If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving or haul heavy loads, you will need to change your oil more often than someone who operates on the highway.

The Type of Oil You Use

The type of oil you use in your truck will also affect how often you need to change it. For example, synthetic oil can last up to twice as long as conventional oil.

So if you use synthetic oil in your truck, you can usually go longer between changes.

What Is A Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is a type of motor oil that is designed to last longer and protect your engine better than conventional oil.

Synthetic oil is made from artificial chemicals rather than crude oil, and it can withstand higher temperatures and pressures than conventional oil.

This makes it ideal for use in high-performance engines, like those found in semi-trucks.

What Is A Conventional Oil?

Conventional oil is the most common type of motor oil. It is made from crude oil and has a shorter lifespan than synthetic oil.

However, it is also cheaper than synthetic oil, often used in less-expensive vehicles.

The Climate You Drive-In

Another factor affecting your oil change interval is the climate you drive in. If you live in hot, humid weather, your oil will break down more quickly than in cooler weather.

This is because heat and humidity can cause the oil to degrade more quickly. So if you live in a hot climate, you may need to change your oil more often than someone who lives in cooler weather.

As you can see, several factors can affect how often you need to change your truck’s oil.

Signs That You Need To Change Your Semi-Truck Oil.

If you’re not sure whether or not it’s time to change your truck’s oil, there are a few signs you can look for.

Strange Sounds

If you start to hear strange sounds coming from your engine, it could signify that your oil needs to be changed.

These sounds may include knocking, ticking, or pinging. If you hear any of these noises, it’s best to have your truck checked out by a mechanic.

Increased Engine Temperature

Another sign that you need to change your oil is if you notice that your engine temperature is running higher than usual. If your truck’s engine overheats, it could cause severe damage.

So if you notice that the temperature gauge is rising, it’s best to pull over and call a tow truck.

Lower Oil Level

Another sign that you need to change your oil is if you notice that the oil level in your truck is low. You can check the oil level by opening the hood and looking at the dipstick.

If the oil level is below the entire line, it’s time to add more oil. But if it’s below the minimum line, it’s time to change your oil.

Excessive Smoke From The Exhaust Pipe

If you notice excessive smoke coming from your truck’s exhaust pipe, it could signify that the oil needs to be changed.

Black smoke usually indicates that the oil is burning, leading to severe engine damage. So if you see black smoke coming from your exhaust, it’s best to pull over and call a tow truck.

These are just a few signs that you need to change your truck’s oil. If you’re not sure whether or not it’s time for an oil change, it’s always best to consult with a mechanic. They will be able to help you determine the best course of action for your particular situation.

Shaking When Idle

Another sign that you need to change your oil is if your truck starts shaking when it’s idle. The vibration is coming from the engine, which could signify that the oil is dirty or low, leading to engine damage.

So if you notice your truck shaking when it’s idle, it’s best to have it checked out by a mechanic. Remember, it’s essential to change your oil regularly to keep your truck running smoothly and efficiently.

What Are The Dangers Of Not Changing Your Semi Truck Oil?

If you don’t change your truck’s oil regularly, it can lead to several problems.

Tear Of Engine

One of the main dangers of not changing your oil is that it can get dirty. And when the oil gets dirty, it can’t do its job correctly.

It won’t be able to lubricate the engine properly, leading to increased wear and tear on the engine. Eventually, this can lead to engine damage.

Over Heating

Another danger of not changing your oil is that the oil level can get too low. If the oil level gets too low, it can cause the engine to overheat. And when the engine overheats, it can cause severe damage.

Engine Knock

Another danger of not changing your oil is that it can cause engine knock. Engine knock is a knocking noise from the engine caused by the pistons hitting the valves.

If you hear an engine knock, it’s essential to have your truck checked out by a mechanic right away.

Steps To Change Your Semi Truck Oil.

If it’s time to change your truck’s oil, there are a few things you need to do.

First, you need to find the right oil for your truck. I will recommend Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Oil. You can find this information in your owner’s manual.

Next, you need to gather the supplies you’ll need. This includes an oil filter, a wrench, and a drain pan.

You’ll also need a funnel if you’re going to add oil to the engine. Once you have everything you need, it’s time to get started.

• First, park your truck on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Next, look for the oil drain plug and remove it.
• The oil will start draining into the pan, so place the pan under.
• Lets the oil out, change the drain plug and tighten it with a wrench.
• Next, you’ll need to remove the old oil filter.
• To do this, find the oil filter and unscrew it.
• Once the old filter is off, screw on the new one.
• Be sure to hand-tighten the new filter and then use the wrench to give it an extra quarter turn.
• Next, you’ll need to add oil to the engine.
• To do this, find the oil fill cap and remove it.
• Then, use the funnel to pour oil into the engine.
• Be sure to add enough oil so that the level is between the “full” and “low” marks on the dipstick.
• Once you’ve added enough oil, replace the fill cap and screw it on tight.

Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Then turn it off and check the dipstick to ensure the oil level is where it should be. You’ve successfully changed your truck’s oil.

Parting Words

Changing your semi-truck oil is essential for keeping it running smoothly. Be sure to change your oil regularly, and if you have any questions, be sure to consult with a mechanic.

They’ll be able to help you determine the best course of action for your particular situation.

Read about how much weight a semi-truck can carry for more information on your semi-truck. This will give you a better understanding of your truck and its capabilities.