Volvo D13 engines are made to save fuel for semi-trucks that rack up thousands of miles each week—and it’ll last for years if you stay on top of maintenance and oil changes.

Hauling heavy cargo and driving countless miles can take a toll on a semi-truck’s engine—and do plenty of damage at the pump. The Volvo D13 engine was designed to be both powerful and fuel-efficient, saving truckers money on the road. To make sure it stays in top shape, though, the D13 will need regular oil changes.

If you aren’t sure how much oil your Volvo D13 engine requires, you’re in the right spot.

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Volvo D13 engine oil capacity

The Volvo D13 is one of the most fuel-efficient semi-truck engines—but how much oil does it require?

With a 12.8-liter engine, the Volvo D13 will need 20.5 quarts of oil. Make sure to remember that your

engine’s displacement

—the 12.8-liter volume taken up by its six cylinders—is not the same as its oil capacity, which is how much oil your engine needs every oil change.

What kind of oil does a Volvo D13 need?

For the Volvo D13 engine, you can’t use just any old oil—you’re going to need 15W-40 Motor Oil. Volvo recommends the official Volvo Premium brand, of course, but most 15W-40 oils will work. What’s important is that you stick to the oil grade recommended by the manufacturer.

These numbers are much different from an average vehicle’s oil, but they stand for the same thing. The numbers signify the oil’s viscosity—or its thickness—while the “W” means winter. This particular oil grade tells us that the oil’s viscosity is 15 in freezing weather while the 40 is the viscosity when it’s hot. In short, this is a “multigrade oil” that’s functional in all temperatures.

While Volvo’s recommended oil is a conventional oil, you can use a high-quality synthetic oil for your D13 engine as long as it has the same oil grade. When in doubt, you can check the

list of approved oils

for Volvo trucks.

If you’re wondering which oil to start with, here are a few options:

Volvo Premium 15W-40 Motor Oil

Castrol EDGE 15W-40 Motor Oil

Shell Rotella T6 15W-40 Full Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Oil

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a Volvo D13 engine

Heavy duty diesel trucks will need to have their oil changed every 25,000 miles. Some trucks may be able to go longer and some will require more frequent changes, so check with your owner’s manual or local Volvo Truck dealership if you aren’t sure.

It’s also a safe idea to check your oil level regularly to make sure you’re in the clear. To check your semi’s oil level, simply remove the dipstick, wipe it off, reinsert it, then take it out to inspect the oil level, color, and viscosity. If it’s clean, it will be an amber color; the darker it gets, the dirtier it is, which indicates that it’s time for an oil change.

Here are a few more signs your oil is due for a change:

The oil appears gritty or coarse

You hear unfamiliar sounds coming from the engine

You notice new smells from the engine, like oil, smoke, or burning

Your truck is performing differently

MORE:

How to get cheap commercial truck insurance

The reality of changing your own semi-truck oil

While it’s usually safest to take your semi-truck to a professional for maintenance and repairs, seasoned drivers prefer to change their own oil. While changing your own oil could potentially save you time and money, there are quite a few disadvantages to consider:

You need to have a large working area

You’ll need specialty tools for heavy-duty trucks

Draining gallons of oil can be a big hassle… and mess

You’ll need to dispose of the gallons of old oil properly

By the time you go through all the trouble of changing your oil, buying tools, and figuring out the logistics of disposal, the time and money you’d theoretically save goes out the window. To avoid the hassle, we recommend taking your semi to your local lube shop instead.

How to find hassle-free car insurance

Oil changes for your Volvo D13 semi-truck engine may be a hassle, but finding

cheap car insurance

for your personal vehicle doesn’t have to be. When you use the

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