Oil Changes for Diesel Pickups

Bring a Super Duty, a Ram 2500 or a Silverado HD into the bay and three things change at once: the oil, the volume and the conversation about schedule. Diesel oil carries soot-handling additives that gas-engine oil does not, the pan holds more than twice the five quarts the standard service covers, and most diesel pickups in Northern Nevada tow. Here is how we handle each of those.

The right oil category

The American Petroleum Institute rates heavy-duty diesel oils in its C categories. CK-4 is the current broad category and is written to cover older diesel engines too. FA-4 is a lower-viscosity category meant only for certain newer on-highway engines, and API's motor oil guide notes it is not interchangeable with CK-4 in every engine. Some makers add their own standard on top: Ford Authority reported Ford's WSS-M2C171-F1 specification for the 6.7L Power Stroke, and GMC's owner support pages point Duramax owners to a diesel-rated oil.

Grade follows the manual, often 15W-40, with lighter cold-start grades listed for some engines. Minden averages 75 nights a year at 20 F or colder (NOAA 1991-2020 normals), which is when that cold-start column on the chart matters.

Capacity and the filter

Because every big diesel holds more than the five quarts included in a full-service oil change, the technician tells you how many extra quarts your engine needs before starting. Diesel oil filters are large and some are cartridge style in a top-mounted housing; we replace the element and its seals and check the housing cap for a clean seat.

When it is due on a towing diesel

Most diesel pickups use an oil-life monitor, and towing, idling and dust all shorten it. Ford's scheduled maintenance guide lists towing, extended idling and dusty conditions under special operating conditions. A truck pulling a fifth wheel over Donner Summit on I-80, or idling at a job site in Spanish Springs with the heater running, is doing exactly that. Follow the monitor, or the severe column if your truck has none.

Diesel pickups in our bay

1. Pull in at any of the four service centers; Longley Lane and US 395 see the most diesels.
2. Tell us the engine and whether you tow, and we confirm the spec and quart count.
3. Oil and filter are changed and chassis fittings greased where the truck has them.
4. The maintenance check covers the differentials, transfer case and coolant level on request. If the monitor is close to zero before a towing weekend, come in first.