Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/978209
36 | Overdrive | May 2018 W ith engine oil and filter changes running upward of $300 at some shops, extending drain intervals can save hundreds of dollars a year and thousands over the life of your truck. To ensure you don't literally grind your operation to a halt, first ensure that cur- rent engine manufacturer recommenda- tions are being met, says Shawn Whitacre, senior staff engineer at Chevron. Owner-operators and small fleets tend to be more conservative with existing drain intervals, often not realizing the original equipment manufacturer recom- mends intervals longer than what they're practicing. "In a lot of cases, they can comfort- ably, and with OEM endorsement, extend drain intervals without any spe- cial action," Whitacre says. Other important considerations are the truck's application and idle times. "Sometimes an engine may not be accumulating miles or hours but is still aging the oil to some extent," Whitacre says. Owners should work with their OEM and oil supplier when identifying a new mileage target, especially if the engine remains under warranty, says Stede Granger, OEM technical services man- ager for Shell Lubricants. "Most OEMs do agree there is room to extend an oil drain, but they want it done correctly, which includes looking at the oil analysis," he says. How to extend drain intervals Consider engine model, oil analysis, PM, application BY JASON CANNON If you don't do your homework before extending your oil drain interval, you could damage the engine and void the warranty. 365trucking.com