An oil change is a great starter task for anyone learning about car maintenance, but picking the right oil to is just as important as technique.

Oil is a crucial part of every internal combustion engine. Diesel and gasoline engines work differently, so is diesel engine oil any different from regular oil?

Vegetable oil or other fats can be used in the creation of diesel engine-safe biofuel through the process of transesterification: a reaction with methanol where caustic soda is used as a catalyst.

For diesel semi-trucks, a more conservative baseline recommendation is to change the oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, especially if the vehicles are used for normal highway driving.