There are many reasons that set a diesel truck apart from a gasoline one, including their performance, the noise, fuel, fuel efficiency and the changing of oil. Oil is an important part of a diesel truck as it keeps all of the parts lubricated and working well. Diesel truck oil changes are quite different to that of standard oil changes, and this guide will review that, so you understand just how often you need to change your diesel oil. It is also worth noting that changing your oil should not be done at home, unless you are a diesel specialist.
While we can give you an average figure of every 4,500 miles to change your oil, there are many factors that come into play that affect how often you may need to change it. These factors include:
- The terrain on which you drive
- The climates in which you drive
- Use of truck, such as heavy hauling or towing
- The type of oil you use
If you only use your diesel truck for quick run arounds and do not use high speeds very often, you will need to change your oil more frequently. You may wonder why this is, but the oil found within your diesel engine is more likely to get contaminated when the engine is not being used at high speeds, generating more heat. In most cases, the manufacturer guide provided with your vehicle will advise how often you should change the oil. For example, Ford suggests for a 2018 model of one of their trucks that in normal conditions, like short runs around town, that you should change your oil between 7,500-10,000 miles, so approximately once a year; for moderate towing, 5,000-7,000 miles, or every six months; and for heavy towing every 3,000-5,000 miles, or every three months.
If you are unsure of if your diesel truck needs an oil change, here are some signs that it may be time:
- Check engine or oil change light turns on
- Noises coming from the engine
- Oil that is dark, dirty and gunky
- The odor of oil in your truck
- Smoke coming from the exhaust
- If you have recently driven many miles when you don’t typically use your truck for this purpose
During a diesel oil change, the type of oil and frequency of changes is the only things that sets it apart from a standard gas engine oil change. It is so important that high quality oil is used to keep your diesel engine running to its highest performance. At wefixdieseltrucks.com we can guarantee a professional service which includes 12 quarts of oil and a 45 point courtesy check for $99. Diesel oil changes are more pricey than standard gasoline changes as premium oil does cost more.
The reason why it is important to bring your truck into a specialist for an oil change is that there is more involved than simply pouring in some oil. Your diesel specialist will understand the steps required and the kinds of materials needed, as well as the high-quality oil that should be used. They will also be able to ensure that the discarded oil and old oil filter are disposed of adequately. There is also a large amount of risk if you tried doing it from home. Trained professionals will be able to identify if there is a leak or anything else that is out of the ordinary as they are changing your oil, thus helping to prevent long-term damage to your diesel engine.
Regular maintenance of your diesel truck is key to ensuring that it is running properly. Scheduling your truck in for maintenance every so often is a good idea so that any issues can be identified early and may require a simple replacement, rather than a complete re-build of an engine.
