Coolant Test Procedure

Coolant Test Procedure -GHG17, BRO-0002; Gen 5 DD13; Gen 5 DD15

3-Way Test Strips

Nitrite concentration is an indication of the overall coolant inhibitor concentration in SLC formulations. These coolants must be tested for nitrite concentration at the regular intervals as listed in Table "Standard Life Coolant". Detroit™ Genuine Fluid Analysis 3-Way Test Strips (or equivalent) are recommended. Use these test strips to measure nitrite and glycol concentrations. Cavitation/corrosion protection is indicated on the strip by the level of nitrite concentration. Freeze/boil-over protection is determined by glycol concentration.

Laboratory Testing

As an alternative to the test strips, a factory coolant analysis program is available through authorized Detroit™ service outlets. To verify coolant acceptability, submit a sample for coolant analysis according to the ‘Standard Life Coolant’ table.

Standard Life Coolant Maintenance Intervals

Table 1, Standard Life Coolant (also known as Conventional) Maintenance Intervals:

Service Application/

Engine Series

Efficient Long Haul1

Long Haul2

Short Haul3

Severe4

Action Required
 

Series 40, 50, 60

Not Applicable

Every30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 1 year5

Every 20,000 miles (32,000 km) or 500h, or 6 months5

Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 300h, or 3 months5

Standard Life Coolant Additive Maintenance Procedures

MBE4000, MBE900

Not Applicable

Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 1 year5

Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 500h, or 6 months5

Every 10,000 miles 16,000 km) or 300h, or 3 months5

DD13

65,000 miles (105,000 km)

55,000 miles (89,000 km) or 1 year5

40,000 miles (64,000 km), 895 hours or 1 year5

35,000 miles (56,000 km), 640 hours or 6 months5

DD15

75,000 miles (121,000 km)

60,000 miles (97,000 km) or 1 year5

45,000 miles (72,000 km), 895 hours or 1 year5

35,000 miles (56,000 km), 640 hours or 6 months5

DD16

Not Applicable

55,000 miles (89,000 km) or 1 year5

40,000 miles (64,000 km), 895 hours or 1 year5

35,000 miles (56,000 km), 640 hours or 6 months5
  1. Efficient Long Haul (over-the-road transport) service applies to vehicles that annually travel more than 60,000 miles (96,000 kilometers) and average greater than 7 miles per gallon with minimal city stop-and-go operation and minimum idle.
  2. Long Haul (over-the-road transport) service applies to vehicles that annually travel more than 60,000 miles (96,000 kilometers) and average greater than 6 miles per gallon with minimal city stop-and-go operation.
  3. Short Haul service applies to vehicles that annually travel up to 30,000 to 60,000 miles (48,000 to 96,000 km) and average between 5.1 and 5.9 miles per gallon.
  4. Severe service applies to vehicles that annually travel up to 30,000 miles (48,000 km) and average less than 5 miles per gallon or that operate under severe conditions. Severe service also applies to RV applications. Service applies to vehicles that annually travel up to 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or that operate under severe conditions. Only one of these conditions needs be met to categorize an application as Severe Service.
  5. Whichever comes first.

Table 1, Standard Life Coolant (also known as Conventional) Maintenance Intervals:

Table 2, Standard Life Coolant (also known as Conventional) Maintenance Intervals:

Service Application/

Engine Series

Efficient Long Haul1

Long Haul2

Short Haul3

Severe4

Action Required
 

DD5

Not Applicable

Every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) or 1 year5

Every 45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 3,000 hrs, or 1 year5

Every 35,000 miles (56,000 km) or 1,000 hrs, or 1 year5

Standard Life Coolant Additive Maintenance Procedures
  1. Efficient Long Haul is not applicable to the DD5 engine.
  2. Long Haul service (over-the-road transport) applies to vehicles that annually travel more than 60,000 miles (96,000 km) and average greater than 12.0 miles per gallon with minimal city stop-and-go operation. Examples of Long Haul service are: regional delivery that is mostly freeway mileage, interstate transport, and any road operation with high annual mileage.
  3. Short Haul service applies to vehicles that annually travel up to 60,000 miles (96,000 km) and average between 10.1 and 11.9 miles per gallon and operate under normal conditions. Examples of Short Haul service are: operation primarily in cities and densely populated areas, local transport with infrequent freeway travel, or a high percentage of stop-and-go travel.
  4. Severe service applies to vehicles that average below 10.0 miles per gallon or that operate under severe conditions. Examples of Severe Service are: idle time over 40%, load factor over 55%, operation on extremely poor roads or under heavy dust accumulation; constant exposure to extreme hot, cold, salt-air, or other extreme climates; frequent short-distance travel; construction-site operation; or farm operation. Only one of these conditions needs be met to categorize an application as Severe Service.
  5. Whichever comes first.

Table 2, Standard Life Coolant (also known as Conventional) Maintenance Intervals:

Table 3, Standard Life Coolant (also known as Conventional) Maintenance Intervals:

Service Application/

Engine Series

Efficient Long Haul1

Long Haul2

Short Haul3

Severe4

Action Required
 

DD8

Not Applicable

Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 2,000 hrs or 1 year5

Every 55,000 miles (88,000 km) or 1,800 hrs, or 1 year5

Every 45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 1,500 hrs, or 1 year5

Standard Life Coolant Additive Maintenance Procedures
  1. Efficient Long Haul is not applicable to the DD8 engine.
  2. Long Haul service (over-the-road transport) applies to vehicles that annually travel more than 60,000 miles (96,000 km) and average greater than 8.5 miles per gallon with minimal city stop-and-go operation. Examples of Long Haul service are: regional delivery that is mostly freeway mileage, interstate transport, and any road operation with high annual mileage.
  3. Short Haul service applies to vehicles that annually travel up to 60,000 miles (96,000 km) and average between 6.5 and 8.5 miles per gallon and operate under normal conditions. Examples of Short Haul service are: operation primarily in cities and densely populated areas, local transport with infrequent freeway travel, or a high percentage of stop-and-go travel.
  4. Severe service applies to vehicles that average below 10.0 miles per gallon or that operate under severe conditions. Examples of Severe Service are: idle time over 40%, load factor over 55%, operation on extremely poor roads or under heavy dust accumulation; constant exposure to extreme hot, cold, salt-air, or other extreme climates; frequent short-distance travel; construction-site operation; or farm operation. Only one of these conditions needs be met to categorize an application as Severe Service.
  5. Whichever comes first.

Table 3, Standard Life Coolant (also known as Conventional) Maintenance Intervals:

Table 4, Standard Life Coolant (also known as Conventional) Drain Intervals:

Engine Series

SLC

Series 60, 50, 40

300,000 miles (482,800 km) or 2 years

MBE4000, MBE900

DD5, DD8, DD13, DD15, DD16

    Table 4, Standard Life Coolant (also known as Conventional) Drain Intervals:

    Note:
    EA4,EA6,EA5,EB5,EC3,EC4,EB6
    Parent topic: Coolant Maintenance Intervals
    Document Number: 0000008061
    Manual Publication Date: 2024-01-05
    Topic Publication Date: 2026-02-25