Engine oils for trucks and construction machinery

Engine oils for demanding operating conditions

Engines in trucks, construction machinery, agricultural machines and other heavy equipment are often exposed to considerably more demanding conditions than engines in ordinary passenger vehicles. Prolonged operation, high loads, dust, temperature changes, a large number of operating hours and long service intervals place high demands on engine oil for trucks and construction machinery.
The basic task of engine oil is to create an appropriate lubricating film between moving engine components, thereby reducing friction and wear. At the same time, the oil helps dissipate heat, protect against corrosion, keep the engine clean and manage products formed during combustion.
In commercial vehicles and construction machinery, correct oil selection also affects equipment reliability and reduces the risk of unplanned downtime.

How to choose engine oil for a truck?

When selecting engine oil for a truck, first check the vehicle or engine manufacturer's instructions. Viscosity alone is not sufficient information.
The main factors to consider are:

• SAE viscosity grade,
• the required API standard,
• the required ACEA specification,
• engine or vehicle manufacturer approvals,
• the engine emission standard,
• exhaust gas aftertreatment systems,
• the prescribed service interval,
• the type and intensity of vehicle use.

Two engine oils marked 10W-40 can have different performance characteristics and approvals. They are therefore not necessarily suitable for the same engines.

10W-40 engine oil for trucks and construction machinery

10W-40 engine oil is one of the most common viscosities in our range of engine oils for heavy vehicles and machinery.
It is used in many diesel engines in commercial vehicles, buses, agricultural machines, construction machinery and other equipment when the manufacturer specifies the corresponding viscosity and specification.
When selecting 10W-40, it is also important to check standards such as API CI-4, CK-4 or the corresponding ACEA E categories, depending on the specific product and engine requirement. The necessary information can be found in the service manual.
Viscosity is therefore only the first step in the selection process.

15W-40 engine oil for heavy vehicles

15W-40 engine oil is also frequently used in diesel engines in heavy vehicles and construction machinery when specified by the engine manufacturer.
Such oils are found in many applications in commercial transport, construction, agriculture and industry.
Our range includes 15W-40 oils of various quality grades, so the required API or ACEA specification and any additional approvals must be checked before use.
The age of the vehicle or machine alone is not enough to conclude that it requires 15W-40. Always follow the engine's technical requirements.

5W-30 and 10W-30 for modern engines

Our range also includes 5W-30 and 10W-30 engine oils, which are used in various modern heavy-duty diesel engines and other applications where these viscosities are specified.
Modern powertrains are designed with increasingly precise tolerances and more demanding emission-control systems. Correct oil selection is therefore important both for engine lubrication and for compatibility with the entire system.
Lower viscosity alone does not mean that an oil is better or more suitable. Use it when it is prescribed or permitted by the engine manufacturer.

What do API standards mean for truck oil?

For engine oils for heavy-duty diesel engines, API classification is one of the important criteria.
Our range includes oils in various API categories, including CF, CF-4, CG-4, CI-4, CI-4 Plus, CJ-4, CK-4 and FA-4.
Individual categories represent different performance requirements and are associated with different engine generations and designs.
Especially with modern vehicles, it is necessary to check which category is actually permitted. The fact that an API category is newer does not automatically mean that it is suitable for every older or newer engine.

ACEA E standards for heavy-duty diesel engines

In European commercial vehicles, ACEA E specifications, intended primarily for heavy-duty diesel engines, play an important role.
Our range includes engine oils in various categories, including ACEA E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9 and E11.
These categories define different performance requirements relating to engine protection, cleanliness, wear, soot control and compatibility with certain emission systems.
The selected oil must therefore meet the specification required by the engine manufacturer.

Engine oils for construction machinery

Construction machinery is often exposed to high and prolonged loads. An excavator, loader, forklift, tractor or other machine can operate for hours under high load, often in dusty, hot or cold environments.
The correct engine oil for construction machinery must be selected according to engine design, temperature conditions, type of use and required specifications.
For construction machinery, it is particularly important to monitor service intervals based on operating hours, because mileage is often not a relevant indicator of actual load for these machines.

Engine oil for tractors and agricultural machinery

Tractors and agricultural machines also operate under specific conditions. During seasonal work, the engine may run continuously for several hours under high load, often in dusty environments and at high ambient temperatures.
The engine must therefore use an oil that meets the machine manufacturer's requirements.
In addition to conventional engine oils, our range includes products intended for tractors and other agricultural machinery. With universal tractor oils, it is important to check their specific area of application and the required specifications of the machine's individual assemblies.

Engine oils and modern emission systems

Modern trucks and construction machinery use various technologies to reduce emissions. These include EGR, SCR and DPF systems, which also increase the requirements placed on the engine oil used.
Engines with advanced exhaust gas aftertreatment systems require an oil intended for such use.
Unsuitable oil can affect the service life of emission-system components, so checking the specification is particularly important in modern commercial vehicles.

What is TBN in engine oil?

In oils for heavy-duty diesel engines, we often also encounter the value TBN – Total Base Number.
TBN is related to the oil's alkaline reserve and its ability to neutralise acidic products that can form during engine operation.
Our range includes engine oils with different TBN values, as requirements vary according to the oil formulation and intended application.
A higher TBN does not automatically mean a better engine oil. It is important that the overall oil formulation and specification match the specific engine and operating regime.

How often should oil be changed in a truck or construction machine?

The engine-oil change interval is specified by the engine or vehicle manufacturer. For trucks, mileage, time and operating conditions may be taken into account, while for construction machinery intervals are often based on operating hours.
Oil service life is affected by engine load, temperature, fuel quality, idle time, dusty environments, short operating cycles and many other factors.
There is therefore no universal change interval for all commercial vehicles and machines.

Engine oils for fleets and professional users

For companies with several trucks or construction machines, correct organisation of lubrication provides additional value.
Using suitable engine oils for a fleet enables maintenance standardisation, easier stock planning and a reduced risk of using the wrong lubricant.
It is important to check whether one oil can be used in several different engines or vehicles. Such consolidation makes sense only if the selected product meets all required specifications of the individual manufacturers.

Addinol, NSL, CAT, Shell, Mobil, Fuchs and Total engine oils

At M&M Intercom, we offer a wide selection of engine oils for trucks and construction machinery from various manufacturers, including Addinol, NSL, CAT, Fuchs, INA Maziva, Mobil, Shell and Total.
Different viscosities and specifications are available for different generations of heavy-duty diesel engines.
The range includes products for individual commercial vehicles as well as solutions for service workshops, transport companies, construction companies, agriculture and large fleets.

Packaging from 1 to 1000 litres

Professional users require significantly larger quantities of lubricants than individual users, so we offer engine oils in a wide range of package sizes.
Available package sizes include 1 l, 4 l, 5 l, 10 l, 20 l, 57 l, 60 l, 200 l, 205 l, 208 l and 1000 l.
Smaller packages are suitable for individual machines, topping up or specific applications. For workshops, transport companies and larger fleets, larger containers, drums or 1000-litre packaging are generally more economical.

How to choose the right oil for a truck or construction machine?

First check the engine's technical documentation. It provides the required SAE viscosity, API or ACEA standard and any specific manufacturer approvals.
Then also consider the machine's type of use, operating environment, service interval and emission system.
At M&M Intercom, we provide expert advice when selecting engine oil for trucks and construction machinery. The goal is not merely to choose the correct viscosity, but a lubricant that meets the full set of requirements of the specific engine and operating regime.

 

Frequently asked questions about engine oils for trucks and construction machinery

1. Which engine oil is suitable for a truck?
A suitable oil is one that meets the requirements of the engine or vehicle manufacturer. Check the SAE viscosity, API or ACEA specification and any additional manufacturer approvals.
2. What is the difference between 10W-40 and 15W-40 oil?
These are different SAE viscosity grades. 10W-40 has different low-temperature properties from 15W-40. Selection must be based on the engine manufacturer's recommendations, not merely on ambient temperature or vehicle age.
3. Which oil is used for construction machinery?
It depends on the engine and type of machine. Construction, agricultural and other working machines use different engine oils, so the required viscosity and API, ACEA and manufacturer specifications must be checked.
4. What does API CK-4 mean?
API CK-4 is one of the performance categories for engine oils for heavy-duty diesel engines. Before use, check whether the manufacturer of the specific engine requires or permits oil in this category.
5. What do ACEA E6, E7, E8, E9 and E11 mean?
These are different European engine-oil performance categories intended for heavy-duty diesel engines. Individual categories have different requirements for engine protection and compatibility with emission systems, so they are not automatically interchangeable.
6. What is TBN in engine oil?
TBN, or Total Base Number, indicates the base reserve of an engine oil and is related to its ability to neutralise acidic products. The TBN value is only one of the oil's parameters and should not be used as the sole measure of quality.
7. Can the same engine oil be used in a truck and a construction machine?
Yes, but only if the selected oil meets the required specifications of both engines. The manufacturers' instructions and approvals must be checked before use.
8. How often is engine oil changed in a construction machine?
The interval is usually specified by the manufacturer and, for construction machinery, is often expressed in operating hours. The actual interval is also affected by load, temperature, dusty environments and type of use.
9. What engine oil do I need for a tractor?
This depends on the tractor model, engine and manufacturer requirements. Check whether you need a dedicated engine oil or a universal tractor lubricant and which specifications the product must meet.
10. Where can I buy engine oil for trucks and construction machinery?
At M&M Intercom, we offer a wide selection of engine oils for trucks, construction machinery, construction and agricultural equipment. Various viscosities, specifications and package sizes are available, from smaller containers to 1000-litre solutions for professional users and fleets.