Volvo Trucks North America will offer a new factory-fill engine oil for its D11, D13, and D16 engines, meeting new Volvo VDS-4.5 engine specifications and also exceeding the new API specification CK-4. Volvo models running the new VDS-4.5 will enjoy longer drain intervals, saving money and increasing uptime.

The VDS-4.5 spec underwent careful analysis and testing to ensure changes met stringent reliability and performance standards, says Volvo. It’s the same viscosity (10W30) as today’s factory fill but it will have enhanced oxidation and aeration control. VDS-4.5 lubes are backwards-compatible, useable in older engines meeting earlier emissions standards.

The new recommended drain intervals add extra miles to the previous life of an oil change for each of the three duty cycles – long haul, regional haul, and heavy haul – as defined by fuel consumption. Those intervals are now 55,000 miles for long haul, 40,000 miles for regional, and 30,000 miles for heavy.

Assuming a 600,000-mile vehicle life in over-the-road applications, the new engine oil intervals will allow truck owners to skip between four and 16 oil drains, depending on duty cycle, compared with the prior maintenance schedule, says Volvo. That represents hundreds of dollars saved per year, even for the lightest duty cycles.

For owners who decide to use the current Volvo VDS-4 API CJ-4 oil, current lower mileage drain intervals will remain. If engine idle time is greater than 30%, says Volvo operators should use the next shorter drain interval.

Volvo VDS-4.5 will be available beginning in October.