The importance of periodically changing the engine oil in campers
For many people, the holiday starts the moment they close the door behind them at home. The feeling of freedom, a pleasant temperature, the sun and a relaxed atmosphere come to meet you! At least, when you have provided the camper or your car with sufficient maintenance. Nothing is more annoying than breaking down on the side of the road on the way to your holiday destination. In this article you can read more about the maintenance of campers, or more specifically: the importance of periodically changing the engine oil in a vehicle.
Changing the engine oil is just one of the steps in maintaining your vehicle. Also check the condition of your windscreen wipers, the interior filter and, for example, the air conditioning. You can perform some of the maintenance on campers yourself relatively easily, with the instructions that you can find online. For example, take a look at a platform such as AUTODOC, where you can find numerous step-by-step plans and instruction videos.
Change your engine oil before your next road trip
It is recommended to change the engine oil of your camper before a longer road trip, to reduce the chance of problems with the engine. Especially, if the oil change has been a while ago. In general, the engine oil should be changed every 15.000 kilometers.
Not only does fresh engine oil reduce the risk of breakdowns on the road; it also benefits your fuel consumption. You use less fuel with a well-lubricated engine. Fresh engine oil ensures that the various moving parts of the engine continue to operate smoothly, which reduces wear on these parts. In addition, the engine can become contaminated, whereby the engine oil ensures that it is cleaned. This extends the life of the engine and thus helps to prevent high maintenance costs.
Please take into account the specifications of your vehicle
When choosing the right engine oil, it is important to consider the specifications of your vehicle. For some vehicles, such as a Volkswagen Polo, you can specify information about motor oil on auto-onderdelen24.nl. This information will help you select the optimum oil for your engine, based on the manufacturer's recommended viscosity and requirements. Correctly matching the engine oil to your vehicle will contribute to better performance and longer engine life.
Comparing the viscosity grade of motor oil
Also look at the viscosity class of the engine oil, indicated by an SAE number on the bottle or jerry can. It says something about the intended application of the engine oil. A low W-value, for example, makes the engine oil very suitable for cold, winter conditions. The advantage of a low W-value is that the oil quickly reaches the engine parts to be lubricated, which limits wear on the engine parts. With engine oil with a higher W-value, this takes longer, which means that the engine will wear out faster in cold conditions.
The second number of the viscosity class says something about the relationship between the functioning of the engine oil and the length of the journeys. A high value makes the engine oil suitable for shorter distances, while a low value is ideal for long journeys.
The table below shows examples of applications when using the different types of engine oil.
Viscosity class | Application |
0W-20 | Suitable for long distances, even in winter conditions. |
0W-30 | Suitable for medium distances, even in winter conditions. |
5W-30 | Suitable for medium distances, in spring. |
5W-40 | Suitable for short to medium distances, in spring. |
10W-30 | Suitable for medium distances, in summer. |
10W-40 | Suitable for short to medium distances, in summer. |
Tip: for the recommended viscosity of the engine oil, check the instruction booklet of your camper. Often it is prescribed, which engine oil is most suitable.
Benefits of Changing Engine Oil Regularly
Earlier in this article, some of the benefits of periodically replacing the engine oil were mentioned. For example, good lubrication ensures smooth operation of the engine's moving parts, which means less wear and tear. This extends the life of an engine and helps prevent unnecessarily high maintenance costs.
A clean, well-maintained engine also ensures lower fuel consumption. In this way, you will quickly earn back a new can of engine oil. Even more important is the fact that you can go on the road with the camper with peace of mind.