Any professional will say that when choosing engine oil for trucks, you should first of all rely on the manufacturer's recommendations. However, the choice will be more correct if, along with these recommendations, you also take into account the climatic conditions in which the vehicle is operated, the age of the truck, and the condition of its power unit.
How to choose the right engine oil for commercial vehicles
Choosing engine oil for a truck primarily depends on its age and technical condition at a given moment. After all, the older the vehicle, the more often it requires oil top-ups, and also needs additives that increase the engine's service life. The factor of climatic operating conditions of commercial vehicles is also important. Therefore, if you decide to buy a Mercedes minibus, do not forget about timely replacement, and when choosing a used car - even more so.
Therefore, based on the composition of the base oil, manufacturers divide engine oils into:·
- synthetic,
- mineral,
- semi-synthetic
And according to climatic operating conditions into:
- summer - these oils remain thick at high temperatures, creating the necessary oil film. This reduces the friction force between engine parts, prevents overheating and premature wear of the power unit;
- winter - these are oils with reduced viscosity and better fluidity. At low temperatures they remain sufficiently liquid, provide the necessary lubrication, facilitate engine starting, and prevent its "oil starvation";
- all-season - such oils slightly change their viscosity depending on temperature conditions. All-season oil, usually synthetic or semi-synthetic, does not need to be changed twice a year.
Engine oil for trucks aged from 1 to 5 years
If your vehicle is still under warranty, use only the oil specified by the manufacturer. A car older than 5 years requires more frequent engine oil top-ups. If its technical condition is good, it is better to use synthetics. This way you will protect the engine from excessive wear and low temperatures, increase the service life of the power unit and gearbox, and extend oil change intervals.
If the truck is in unsatisfactory condition, choose semi-synthetics.
Engine oil for trucks older than 10 years
Old cars require frequent engine oil changes. In this case, using expensive synthetics makes no sense. If the vehicle is in satisfactory condition and operated in a gentle mode, choose semi-synthetics with good anti-corrosion and anti-oxidation characteristics. For trucks and commercial vehicles that have "seen a lot", mineral engine oil is also suitable. Almost every manufacturer has a separate line for commercial vehicles with high mileage - for example, Nanoprotec has 15W-40 TRUCK Mineral.
