How to Change Semi-Truck Oil

Recently updated on February 22nd, 2024

When examining how to change truck oil, it’s essential to know that when working with a semi-truck it is best to have a professional do the job. Learning how to change oil in a semi-truck can take quite a bit of practice, as you are dealing with large parts and a significant amount of oil. Semi-trucks require many gallons of oil, and draining and re-filling the oil pan can be challenging.

It’s also essential to know how often to change the oil in your semi-truck, how to check truck oil to see if it needs requires a change, and how to increase the longevity of your oil so you can keep driving longer between maintenance stops.

Determining When to Change Your Oil

Semi-trucks can usually go approximately 25,000 miles between each oil change, though some may require maintenance as often as every 10,000 miles. Depending on how often and how far you drive for your routes, this can mean that you need oil changes rather frequently, or you may last for quite a while between maintenance visits. The key is knowing how to check truck oil, knowing what to look for that signals it’s time for service, and how to get the most of your miles and improve the longevity of your truck’s lubricant.

How to Check Truck Oil

Know what to look for in your semi-truck’s oil to properly identify when you need routine service–often just looking at the oil itself can let you know it’s time for a change. It’s important to check the oil levels in your semi-truck regularly. To do so, check the dipstick in your oil reservoir by removing it, wiping it down, reinserting the dipstick, and taking it out once more to evaluate the oil level. If there isn’t enough oil in your truck it’s time for an oil change.

Additionally, you want to look at the quality of your semi-truck’s oil each time you check it. Look at the color and the viscosity. Oil that’s good to keep driving with will be clean looking, and amber in color. The darker your oil gets the more dirt and debris it is accumulating, which can negatively impact and even damage your engine.

Other elements to consider include how loud your engine is and whether your truck is emitting smoke from the exhaust, either while idling or driving. If your engine becomes louder than usual it can be a sign that your oil needs changing. As oil lubricates all the parts in your engine, preventing friction and helping them to work together properly, when it becomes too dirty or your truck is running low you may hear a difference. Additionally, visible strong-smelling exhaust can also signal that the oil in your truck is dirty and needs replacement.

How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Semi-Truck Oil

The best way to ensure you get the most miles per oil change is to use the highest quality lubricant and filters each time. Make sure that you read your truck’s manual and use the correct type of oil and filter when looking at how to change oil in a semi-truck. Semi-trucks require different types of oil and filters than a regular car or heavy-duty pick-up truck.

How to Change Truck Oil

If you are looking to change semi-truck oil yourself, there are a few essential tips to know. While it’s always best to have maintenance completed by a professional at a facility with Quality Assurance measures in place, some drivers do prefer to change their own. You will need a large drum to drain the old oil as well as a safe space to store and dispose of it later. This alone makes going to semi-truck oil change locations near you worth it, as adhering to local laws regarding oil disposal is imperative.

First, you will near to make sure you have room to open your engine and drain the oil, as well as having the proper floor jacks, the right sized wrenches, and more, ready beforehand. Next, you want to leave your truck running for several minutes to get the oil warm, but not too long or else the engine will start to get hot and there is the potential of burning yourself. After you do this, make sure your emergency brake is set to avoid any accidents.

The rest of the instructions regarding how to change oil in a semi-truck are much like a car, except everything is much bigger. The oil filters can get quite heavy and can be challenging to remove. You will place the empty drum to collect the old oil beneath the oil pan, take our the screw in the drain and wait for all the oil to run out. Then, replace the screw, prime your new filter with oil and insert, and refill based on manufacturer specifications.

Cons of Changing Oil Yourself

The biggest challenges that drivers face when learning how to change truck oil in their semis is a) space and b) size. You need the proper size tools to work on a heavy-duty truck, which not everyone has on hand. These can be costly to purchase. You also need to ensure that you have plenty of space to begin working on your semi-truck.

Working with such large quantities of oil and parts can be a hassle. Additionally, as your semi-truck is how you make your living you want to ensure that everything is completed properly and that there are no issues before you get your truck on the road again.

The Advantages of Professional Oil Changes

When you come into LubeZone Truck Lube Center, you can rest assured that a team of experts will work on your vehicle and complete your semi-truck oil change. We take care of properly disposing of your old oil and have a two-fold quality assurance program so you can rest easy knowing everything on your truck is in working order before you leave the facility.

You spend plenty of hours on the road working hard. You deserve a chance to rest and relax while we take care of the oil service on your truck for you. When you come to LubeZone Truck Lube Center you can rest in our lounge while we work on your truck, shop our chrome shops at select locations, or play billiards. You do the driving–let us take care of the rest.