NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Volvo has extended recommended maintenance intervals on oil changes and diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleanings.

The extended intervals apply to all model year 2011 and newer Volvo trucks with Volvo D11, D13 or D16 engines. Volvo claims the new maintenance intervals will save customers thousands of dollars over the life of the truck.

The drain intervals on engine oil and filters have been stretched out 10,000 miles in long-haul, regional haul and heavy-haul applications. The new intervals are 45,000 miles for long-haul, 35,000 miles for regional haul and 25,000 miles for heavy-haul. Owners must use oil that meets Volvo’s VDS-4 standard and if idle-time is greater than 30%, drain intervals should not be extended, Volvo warns.

DPFs, which previously had to be cleaned or replaced after 250,000 miles, can now go 400,000 miles between servicings. This extension follows more than a year of testing and analysis, Volvo claims.

“We are always looking for opportunities to reduce our customers’ operating costs, and these new recommended maintenance intervals can significantly help their bottom line,” said John Moore, Volvo Trucks product marketing manager, powertrain. “Now that we have some experience with and data from EPA10-compliant trucks, we have confirmed our assumption that the reduction in particulate matter means longer-lasting engine oil and less ash in DPFs. In addition to saving money, longer intervals mean trucks are more productive because they spend less time in the shop.”

The new oil drain intervals could eliminate between four and 16 oil changes over a 600,000-mile life, saving customers hundreds of dollars. The longer DPF maintenance intervals could allow many customers to service the filter just once, rather than twice, over the life of a truck.