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Regular oil changes are an investment in your truck’s future, preventing premature wear on your engine, enhancing fuel efficiency and increasing the overall life span of your vehicle. While we recommend leaving this crucial service to a certified diesel mechanic, it can be helpful to know how to change your own oil when you’re in a pinch.
We've provided the steps for correctly changing the oil in your commercial truck, as well as guidance on how often to change your oil and how to know when you’re due for an oil change.
How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
It’s generally recommended that heavy-duty commercial trucks need an oil change every 25,000 miles. However, the exact interval can vary depending on how you use the vehicle, with some trucks requiring an oil change as often as every 10,000 miles or as few as every 50,000 miles. How often you need to change your oil will depend on several factors, including the engine type, fuel efficiency, oil quality and the vehicle’s age. Even your driving habits, the frequency and length of routes and the climate in which the truck is operated can either shorten or prolong the recommended oil change interval.
Your owner’s manual or the vehicle’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) can provide the recommended oil change interval based on typical use. But learning how to check your oil and knowing how to identify the signs that your truck needs an oil change can help you determine when it’s time to service your vehicle.
Checking Your Truck’s Oil
Make it a habit to add an oil level check to your pre-inspection checklist before each trip. Remove the dipstick from the oil reservoir, wipe it clean and then reinsert it. When you take the dipstick back out, you’ll be able to assess the oil level by seeing where it falls between the level indicators. If it’s low, it’s time for an oil change.
The color and viscosity of the oil are also a good indicator. New oil is clean and amber in color but will accumulate dirt and debris over time. Dark oil that is thick and sludgy is a sign that you’re due for service.
Tell-tale signs that you may be low on oil and you need to check your oil levels include:
- An oil pressure warning light appears on your instrument panel or your pressure gauge is reading low
- The truck is emitting smoke from the exhaust while idling or driving
- The engine becomes louder than usual and may make ticking or knocking sounds
- Strong-smelling exhaust that smells like burning oil
Advantages of Getting a Professional Oil Change
While drivers may be tempted to change their own oil in their commercial truck, as you would in a sedan or SUV, heavy-duty vehicles present unique challenges that typically make it worthwhile to leave oil changes in the hands of a technician. Semi trucks are large and hold a lot of oil, so you’ll need appropriately sized tools, enough space underneath the vehicle to properly drain the old oil and large enough drums to collect it. You’ll also have to follow local laws for disposing of the used oil afterward.
Commercial vehicle service shops have the space, tools and materials needed to safely change the oil and have processes in place for appropriately disposing of used oil. And certified diesel mechanics not only can change your oil correctly every time but are trained to spot leaks and other looming problems that could become bigger issues down the road, saving you both uptime and money. If you’re not well-versed in servicing diesel trucks, it’s in your best interest to leave this job up to the professionals.
Steps for Correctly Changing Your Own Oil
If you feel confident in your ability to change the oil in your commercial truck and have the right equipment, we’ve outlined six steps for correctly changing your own oil below.
Before You Begin
First things first, consult your owner’s manual and check your engine’s oil capacity, oil type and filter type to make sure you’re purchasing the right amount of oil and the right type of filter. From there, gather all the tools and materials you’ll need. Here’s a quick list of things to round up that will make the job go smoothly:
- Replacement engine oil and filter as recommended by the OEM
- A large drain pan or oil drum to catch the old oil
- A wrench large enough to undo the oil drain plug
- An oil filter wrench
- Jack and jack stands to raise and support the truck, if needed
- Wheel chocks to ensure the vehicle doesn’t move
- A mechanic’s creeper for rolling under the truck, if needed
- A funnel for adding the new oil
- Gloves, protective eyewear, coveralls and clean rags
Step 1 – Warm the Engine
If you have just finished a drive, let the engine cool down for several hours. If the truck has been idle, let the truck run for several minutes to warm up the engine and oil.
Step 2 – Ensure the Vehicle Cannot Move
Once the engine is warm, turn off the truck, set the emergency brake and remove the keys. Place your wheel chocks so the tires can’t roll. This prevents the truck from moving while you’re working.
Step 3 – Drain the Oil
Pop the hood and loosen the oil filler cap. Make your way under the vehicle and ensure that your drain pan or oil drum is lined up under the oil drain. Use a regular wrench to remove the drain plug and let the oil drain completely. Once all of the oil has drained, wipe down the area around the drain and reinstall the plug using the wrench to ensure a tight seal.
Step 4 – Replace the Oil Filter
Move your drain pan or oil drum underneath the oil filter. Remove the filter cover and cover the inlets with a clean cloth. Unscrew the oil filter using an oil filter wrench and slowly lower it while keeping it upright to avoid spilling any oil that may be in the filter. Let any remaining oil drain into the drain pan.
Take the new filter and apply a thin layer of new, clean oil to the rim to ensure a proper seal. Install the new filter using the oil filter wrench, remove the cloth from the inlets and reinstall the filter cover.
Step 5 – Add the New Oil
Back under the hood, remove the oil filler cap and place your funnel in the opening. Check your manual so you know how much oil to add before slowly pouring the diesel oil into the engine, checking the dipstick every so often to check the level.
When the dipstick shows that it’s three-quarters full, start the truck and let it run for a few minutes to let the oil pressure rise. Turn the truck back off and allow any oil to drain into the container. Recheck the dipstick and keep adding oil until the dipstick shows it’s at the correct level. Replace the oil filler cap.
Step 6 – Do a Final Check and Document the Oil Change
Restart the vehicle and check the oil pressure to ensure it’s at optimal levels. Look under the vehicle for visible leaks. If all is clear, turn off the vehicle and document the oil change by recording the mileage on your odometer so you know when you’re due for your next oil change.
Oil Change Services at Rush Truck Centers
Oil changes should be a cornerstone of your truck’s maintenance schedule in order to extend the life of your truck’s engine and maintain fuel efficiency. Not changing the oil correctly or waiting too long between oil change intervals can cause wear and tear on the engine, severely impacting the truck’s performance and leading to costly repairs.
As we stated above, we recommend letting our ASE-certified technicians handle this crucial job. We have more than 140 Rush Truck Centers locations nationwide with techs qualified to work on all makes and models of heavy- and medium-duty trucks. With our Xpress PM service, our dedicated preventive maintenance teams can conduct up to an 86-point inspection and critical vehicle components and complete your oil change on the same day you bring your truck in, getting you back on the road as quickly as possible.
Request a service appointment or contact a Rush Truck Centers Xpress Service location near you today.
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