There are plenty of polished “how-to” videos out there that look like they were filmed on a movie set.
That’s not what this is.
In this post – and in the video we filmed – you’re seeing a real 2019 Freightliner Cascadia 125 Evolution getting an oil change in a working environment, with tools that actually get used and floors that actually see grease.
We teamed up with Logan from Root’s Fleet Service and shot the whole thing: drain plug, filters, refill, and final checks. If you’ve ever wondered “Could I realistically do this myself, or should I just pay a shop?” – this is for you.
At 5 Star Truck Sales here in Michigan, we spend most of our time helping drivers and fleets get into reliable trucks. But we also see what happens after the sale, when maintenance is either done right… or not done at all.
We filmed this oil change because:
A lot of owner-operators want to do their own PM but don’t know what they’re getting into.
Some fleet owners are trying to decide if DIY servicing makes sense in-house.
And some people just want to know if the shop bill they’re paying is reasonable.
If you run a Cascadia (or you’re thinking of buying one), seeing a complete oil change from start to finish will give you a much better feel than a spec sheet ever will.
The video starts with the basics most people skip:
Parking the truck on level ground
Setting the parking brake and chocking the wheels
Popping the hood and doing a quick visual check for leaks or anything “off”
Making sure the engine is warm enough that the oil will actually flow out, not sludge out
None of this is glamorous, but it sets the tone: an oil change is not just “pull the plug and dump oil.” It’s part safety check, part quick inspection, and part routine.
Next, Logan slides under the truck and pulls the drain plug.
A couple things you’ll notice in the video:
The drain pan placement isn’t random. On a Cascadia, that oil comes out fast, and it doesn’t always fall straight down.
He lets it drain fully, not just until it stops gushing. Those last slow drips are still dirty oil.
While it drains, we talk through what to look for – fuel smell, metal, coolant in the oil – the stuff nobody wants to see but everyone should check for.
This is where you start to understand the difference between “oil change” as a line item and “oil change” as a real maintenance step.
Filters look simple, but they’re one of the easiest places to mess up.
On camera, Logan:
Pulls the old filters and checks that the old rubber seals came off with them
Wipes the mounting surfaces clean so the new filters can seat correctly
Pre-fills and oils the seals on the new filters (where recommended) so they don’t run dry on start-up
Tightens them by feel and spec, not “gorilla tight”
This is one of those sections in the video that’s worth rewatching if you plan to do your own oil changes. A double-gasket or overtightened filter is the kind of mistake that doesn’t show up until you’re on the highway and see the oil pressure drop.
Once everything under the truck is buttoned up, we move to refilling.
Instead of just saying “fill it up,” we show:
Adding oil in stages instead of dumping the full amount in one shot
Letting it settle and then checking the dipstick
Bringing it up to the correct level without overfilling
This is where having a Cascadia with a big-capacity engine feels very different from changing oil on a pickup at home. You’re dealing with a lot of volume, and a casual guess can leave you a gallon high or low.
The last part of the video is what we do right after the fill:
Start the truck and watch the oil pressure come up on the dash
Walk back underneath and check for leaks at the drain plug and filters
Shut it down and re-check the oil level after the oil has circulated
This only takes a few minutes, but it’s where we catch issues in the bay instead of on the side of the interstate.
This is the question we get all the time.
After watching the video, you’ll probably fall into one of three groups:
“Yep, I can do that.”
You’ve got a safe place to work, basic tools, and you’re comfortable crawling under the truck. For you, DIY can save a real chunk of money over the course of a year.
“I could do it, but I’d rather pay someone.”
Totally fair. If you’d rather stay focused on driving, hiring a good shop or mobile service is often worth it. You’re paying for both the labor and the second set of eyes on your truck.
“Nope. Hard pass.”
Also fine. Not everyone wants to juggle drain pans, heavy filters, and 11+ gallons of oil. In that case, at least you’ll walk into a shop with a better understanding of what they’re doing and what you’re paying for.
The goal of the video isn’t to turn everyone into a mechanic. It’s to give you a realistic picture of the process so you can decide what makes the most sense for your situation.
A few real-world takeaways from our side at 5 Star Truck Sales:
Time adds up. By the time you set up, drain, swap filters, refill, and clean up, it’s more than “a quick 10-minute job,” especially the first few times.
The truck tells a story. Every time we pop a drain plug or spin off a filter, we see little clues – how the truck was driven, whether someone’s been chasing a leak, if anything looks neglected.
Good maintenance shows in resale. Trucks that have clear, consistent maintenance habits are easier to sell and usually bring better money. Buyers can feel the difference.
That’s a big part of why we care about this stuff as a dealership. A well-maintained Cascadia is easier for us to stand behind – and easier for you to own.
Steven Benner of 5 Star Truck Sales in Michigan, has been reconditioning, and selling used semi trucks for years, with a focus on making sure every truck is serviced and ready to go to work for owner-operators and fleets.
If this kind of deep-dive video is helpful, here’s what you can do next:
👉 Watch the full oil change video on our YouTube channel:
How To Do an Oil Change on a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia 125 Evolution
👉 Browse our semi trucks for sale – including serviced Freightliner Cascadia’s – on our website.
👉 Have questions about maintenance, buying your first truck, or what to look for in a used Cascadia? Give us a call or send us a message – we’re happy to talk through it, no pressure.
Whether you’re doing your own oil changes in the driveway or dropping the truck off at a shop, the goal is the same:
Keep the truck making money, not sitting on the hook.