Group 177 General
Safety Advice
Never operate a diesel engine in an area where hy- Always chock the wheels before working under the
drocarbon vapors (gasoline for example) are present vehicle to prevent it from rolling. Failure to do so can
or are suspected to be present. Hydrocarbon vapors result in unexpected vehicle movement and serious
can enter the air intake and make the engine over- personal injury or death could occur.
speed, causing severe damage and/or explosion or
fire. Serious personal injury or death can occur.
When entering and exiting the cab, use caution. Al- If using a jack and/or jack stands, choose proper
ways have a firm hand hold and/or stable foot position fault-free equipment. Failure to do so can result in
before transferring weight to that position. Do not equipment failures and personal injury or death may
carry anything when entering or exiting. Make sure occur.
the soles of your shoes and the cab steps are free
from dirt, grease, oil or moisture before using the
steps. Failure to do so can result in a fall, and serious
personal injury or death may occur. Note: During the Preventive Maintenance inspection,
check the condition of warning labels on the vehicle. If a
label is damaged or defaced to the point where the mes-
sage cannot be read, note on the inspection form to
have it replaced.
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Group 177 Specifications
Specifications
Engine
General of the combustion by-products that contaminate the oil.
These contaminates will make the change intervals the
For further information concerning component specifica- same as for regular oil. However, in extreme driving con-
tions see service information in Group 1, “Oil and Filter ditions, a synthetic oil may be the only choice for the
Change Intervals for Volvo Components,” Publication application.
Number 175–001, and any appropriate vendor literature.
In a modern diesel engine it is very important to have Note: It is not recommended to mix synthetic oils with
regular oil changes. The demands of pulling high loads, petroleum-based oils.
pulling at high elevations, extreme high or low tempera-
tures and longer service intervals, make the choice of Coolant
correct oil a hard task. The Volvo dealer, the engine The engine coolant protects the cooling system from
manufacturer or the oil manufacturer has the expertise to freezing or boil over problems. It also protects against
analyze driving conditions and to recommend what oil corrosion and cylinder liner pitting. Coolant requirements
gives the best protection and economy. are based on the additive levels present in the cooling
system. To be able to run the cooling system as long as
Oil 2 years between coolant changes, there must be a re-
plenishment of additives as they are used up. Testing
The engine oil has the task of lubricating, sealing, cool- should be done regularly to be sure the additive levels
ing and cleaning the engine. Filtering the intake air and are within recommended levels.
using a low sulfur fuel helps the oil protect the engine
parts. With better engine designs and improved oils, the Never run the engine with only water in the cooling
service intervals have steadily increased. The interval system. Always use a mixture of clean water and a rec-
choice depends on the engine manufacturer specifica- ommended antifreeze. The mixture should never be less
tions. Make sure the correct oil type and also the correct than 40% antifreeze and 60% clean water or more than
viscosity are chosen for the mileage interval driven. 60% antifreeze and 40% clean water.
Periodic oil testing is recommended. The test results
give a continuous picture of the health of the engine and Note: For further information on Long life coolant refer to
can warn well in advance of a problem developing. Service Bulletin 260–002, “Texaco Extended Life
Coolant.”
The intervals will not cover all applications. In on/off
highway driving, severe off highway, continuous stop-
and-go city driving and extremely high mileage, the oil
change interval and preventive maintenance schedule CAUTION
need to be customized for the best protection and econ-
omy. The intervals listed in these specifications are Long life coolant is colored red for identification pur-
guidelines that should be used in establishing a correct poses, so as not to mistake it for conventional, green
maintenance program. coolant. Long life coolant will test as out of additives
(SCA), but SCA should not be added.
CAUTION
Adding unknown additives may put the engine at risk
of failure. There are many aftermarket oil additives Fuel
that claim improved performance if added to the en-
The sulfur content in low-sulfur fuel has been regulated
gine oil. Each oil type recommended already contains
to a maximum of 0.05% per weight for No.2–D diesel
additives that have been tested by a collaboration with
fuel. For fuels that have a sulfur content of 0.5% by
engine and oil manufacturers.
weight and above, most engine manufacturers are re-
quiring that oil is changed at shorter intervals. Sulfur
Synthetic oil is offered as an alternative to the traditional creates highly acidic pollutants in the oil that break down
petroleum based oil for the engines. The ability of syn- the additives at a higher rate. If fuel with a higher sulfur
thetic oil to protect the engine is better than regular oil content is used, the engine manufacturers recommend
but its life is the same as for regular oil. This is because that the oil change intervals be reduced.
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Group 177 Specifications
VOLVO ENGINES
Note: It is not recommended to mix synthetic oils with
petroleum based oils.
For further information concerning component specifica-
tions see service information in Group 1, “Oil and Filter
Change Intervals for Volvo Components,” publication
number 175–001, and appropriate vendor literature.
Maximum change intervals are 40,000 km (25,000 miles)
if using oil that meets the Volvo Drain Specification
(VDS). If the oil does not meet the requirements accord-
ing to VDS, change intervals should be 24,000 km
(15,000 miles). Contact Volvo or a Volvo authorized
dealer to obtain a list of approved VDS oils.
Shorter oil change intervals maybe required if the engine
is operating in a dusty environment or if frequent stops
and starts are made (see oil change interval below).
Supplemental coolant additives are recommended for all
Volvo cooling systems. Antifreeze alone does not provide
sufficient corrosion protection for heavy duty diesel en-
gines.
If the fuel has a sulfur content exceeding 0.5% by
weight, halve the indicated maximum mileage intervals.
Oil filters should always be changed when changing oil.
CUMMINS ENGINES
For further information concerning component specifica-
tions see service information in Group 1, “Oil and Filter
Change Intervals for Volvo Components,” publication
number 175–001, and appropriate vendor literature.
If engine is operating in ambient temperatures consis-
tently below - 20 C (0 F) or above 40 C (100 F),
perform maintenance at shorter intervals. Shorter inter-
vals are also required if the engine is operating in a dusty
environment or if frequent stops and starts are made.
Oil filters should always be changed when changing oil.
Supplemental coolant additives are recommended for all
Cummins cooling systems. Antifreeze alone does not
provide sufficient corrosion protection for heavy duty
diesel engines.
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