{"id":921,"date":"2016-04-26T15:56:11","date_gmt":"2016-04-26T15:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/quicktransportsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=921"},"modified":"2017-02-07T23:12:53","modified_gmt":"2017-02-07T23:12:53","slug":"is-there-merit-to-an-extended-oil-drain-interval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quicktransportsolutions.com\/blog\/is-there-merit-to-an-extended-oil-drain-interval\/","title":{"rendered":"Is There Merit To An Extended Oil Drain Interval?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As fleets continue to be driven by the need to lower costs and reduce maintenance<\/a> expenses, the extended service diesel oil filter is getting another look. The fact is, oi filters play a crucial role in the life and health of your engine and use of premium heavy duty engine oil. But whether or not you decide to run longer service intervals requires great consideration.<\/p>\n

Today we will take a look at the merits of a longer service interval and different types of oil filters available. We\u2019ll answer whether or not there\u2019s any merit to extending oil drain intervals, their cost\/benefit equation and potential risks. First, let\u2019s take a deeper look at what extended oil drain intervals are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Extended Oil Drain Service Interval<\/strong><\/p>\n

First, you may be asking what an extended drain oil filter is. First, it\u2019s important to discuss what a longer drain interval entails. While a lot of fleets have the old-school mentality of changing their oil filter every 10,000 or 15,000 miles, the rules of the modern day road no longer require such frequent oil changing.<\/p>\n

Today, many a fleet walks the balancing act of a 40,000 \u2013 50,000-mile drain. Remember, this doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t be getting your hands dirty. It\u2019s still vitally important to make sure you are lubing chassis components and performance regular inspections and oil analysis checks.<\/p>\n

When running in an extended drain scenario, oil filters are hugely important. Longer drains mean you\u2019ll need a more robust filter. Some filters are specifically designed to enable greater drain intervals.<\/p>\n

This is why it\u2019s especially important that you focus on where you are getting the oil filter directly from an OEM<\/a> or reputable aftermarket manufacturer. If you have an engine break down and the manufacturer determines it was the result of poor or unapproved filtration, they could deny warranty coverage.<\/p>\n

For instance, if you are buying a high efficiency filter, does it have enough capacity? If you don\u2019t have the containment holding ability you need for each drain interval, you will run into problems.<\/p>\n

Think of it this way: If you want to double the time between your service interval, you\u2019ll have to double the capacity of contaminants your filter will collect. Traditional cellulose filters may not work. Instead, filters with a synthetic mesh may be your best bet.<\/p>\n

How Does It Work?<\/strong><\/p>\n

While many suppliers point to the removal of soot and other contaminants as the primary factor in how well a filter performs, particulate matter isn\u2019t the only piece of the puzzle. Consider that removing a smaller solid piece of particulate bears little bearing on the oil oxidation or depletion rate. While containment control is important for engine wear, it doesn\u2019t bear as much on oil life.<\/p>\n

Complex synthetic engine oils are formulated with a precise balance of chemicals that act to neutralize acids and prevent oxidation. When you let your oil go for too long, these additives can start to break down and lose their effectiveness.<\/p>\n

Once this happens, not only will the oil lose its ability to protect, cool and clean the engine, but it may also clog up your filter. Never overuse the oil to a point where the additive package forms an unruly sludge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Filter Types<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally, you want to closely evaluate the type of filter you are using. There are essentially four different filter types for you to consider:<\/p>\n