Cummins Outlines Best Practices for Maintaining Natural Gas Commercial Engines

Natural gas engines offer significant advantages over diesel: lower operating costs, reduced emissions, and a maintenance-free exhaust system that eliminates filter changes. However, they are less forgiving when maintenance intervals are missed, particularly oil drains. Cummins recommends tracking engine hours instead of miles to ensure timely service, especially for vocational and transit applications with high idle time.

Service facilities for natural gas vehicles require specific safety measures like ventilation and methane detection. Experienced mechanics need only supplemental training, as natural gas engine maintenance closely resembles traditional vehicle maintenance. The joint venture between Cummins and Rush Enterprises provides a network of over 250 locations with certified technicians and comprehensive parts inventory across the US and Canada.