Changing the oil on your semi truck is an essential part of any maintenance program. The oil is the primary lubricant for all moving parts and is what allows for smooth operation and extended engine life. For this reason, it’s important to change the oil on your semi truck regularly. Changing oil will also help you identify potential problems with your engine before they become major issues. A dirty or neglected oil pan, for example, can cause your engine to get lazy and run rough after sitting for hours. Changing the oil also ensures that there are no contaminants or other substances mixed with the oil that could cause problems. Below are some helpful tips for changing oil on your truck:
Know your truck's oil capacity
Before you head to your local auto parts store with your oil change kit, make sure you know the capacity of your truck’s oil pan. Many trucks are equipped with a dipstick and a manual sight gauge so you can check the level of oil in the engine without having to remove the pan. You can also find this information online by accessing your truck’s service manual. You can use this information to determine how often you need to change the oil.
Check your engine oil level
As you’re prepping to change your oil, make sure to check the engine oil level. This will ensure that you have enough oil to do the job correctly. If the level is low, you might want to consider adding a bit more oil to help it flow more freely throughout the engine. You can check the level by using a dipstick that’s been inserted into the oil fill cap, or by using a manual sight gauge that’s connected to the dipstick. Both of these methods are quick and easy.
Don’t forget to change your filter
While most people focus on replacing the oil, it’s also important to change the filter for your truck’s oil filter. You’ll want to change your oil filter on a regular basis to prevent contaminants from entering your engine. These contaminants can cause premature wear and tear on your engine’s other components. It’s also a good idea to change the oil filter in your semi truck more frequently than you would in a car to prevent large amounts of debris from entering the engine.
Change the oil filter of your engine’s cylinder heads
If you’re not sure how to change the oil filter in your semi truck’s cylinder heads, it’s best to leave it in place for now. Oil filters are very sensitive and can be easily damaged if they’re removed and replaced incorrectly. The best way to change this filter is to loosen the bolts holding it in place and then remove it from the head.
Check the oil filter for blockage
Before putting your oil back in, it’s a good idea to check to see if there are any oil particles blocking the filter. If there are, you’ll need to remove those particles before you can put the oil back in. There are many ways to remove these particles, depending on the type of debris they are. For example, you can use a screen with a handle to break up the debris or you can use oil solvent.
Bottom line
A dirty or neglected oil pan, for example, can cause your engine to get lazy and run rough after sitting for hours. Changing the oil is an essential part of any maintenance program. The oil is the primary lubricant for all moving parts and is what allows for smooth operation and extended engine life. For this reason, it’s important to change the oil on your semi truck regularly. Changing the oil will also help you identify potential problems with your engine before they become major issues.