If you ask ten diesel technicians whether oil changes should be based on engine hours or mileage, you’ll probably get ten different answers.
The truth is, both measurements have value—but they don’t tell the whole story on their own.
For heavy-duty diesel trucks, the way an engine is used often matters more than how many miles are on the odometer. A truck that spends hours idling, operating a PTO, or crawling through traffic may accumulate just a few miles while putting significant wear on the engine and its oil. Meanwhile, a long-haul truck cruising steadily down the interstate may accumulate hundreds of miles under relatively ideal operating conditions.
So which should you trust—engine hours or miles?
The answer depends on how your truck works.
For many heavy-duty diesel trucks, engine hours provide a more accurate picture of engine wear than mileage alone. However, the best maintenance schedule considers engine hours, mileage, operating conditions, the engine manufacturer’s recommendations, and—when possible—oil analysis.
Continue reading Should Diesel Engine Oil Changes Be Based on Hours or Miles?
