Have you and your friends been out in your truck, enjoying the end of spring and gearing up for summer? Chances are, you’ve put some wear and tear on your vehicle while you’ve been out. If you’re the owner of a diesel truck, you probably want to keep it running for as long as possible. Luckily, extending the life of your vehicle doesn’t have to be hard.
Believe it or not, diesel engines require less maintenance than gasoline-powered ones. But that doesn’t mean you’re off scot-free! Certain things still need to be taken care of regularly if you want to prevent performance issues.
While it may seem inconvenient, maintenance goes a long way, so don’t miss out on the advantages of performing it! If you want to keep your engine running with the fewest issues along the way, you only need to keep a few things in mind.
Here are five simple but important truck maintenance tips that will keep your diesel running smoothly.
1. Clean Regularly
If you’ve been out enjoying your vehicle, you’ve likely got some gunk to clean up. Just remember, a clean engine is a happy engine, and a happy engine is what you want to have.
Your truck’s components can be damaged by lingering dirt and grime, so make sure you clean the engine on occasion. Performance and road life can both be affected when gunk is allowed to build up.
Your fuel also needs to be clean. Clean diesel fuel promotes both good fuel economy and high performance.
Keeping an engine clean can be a chore, but it’s worth your time and effort. The more often you clean, the longer you’ll have to enjoy your vehicle.
2. Fill Up on Fluids
To keep your truck running smoothly, check up on fluids regularly to ensure you don’t run out. This is one of the most important parts of maintaining your vehicle.
Engine coolant can become acidic, which may cause damage to other parts by rotting them. Regularly check the acidity of your coolant, and make sure you change it accordingly.
You should also make sure you have enough coolant. This will limit your chances of overheating.
Your oil level should be checked regularly too, as well as window washer fluid. If you like off-roading or road-tripping, you’ll definitely want a full container of window washer fluid to get rid of mud and bugs!
3. Change Filters Regularly
Filters play an important role in vehicle performance and should be monitored regularly. Set up a routine to change them on a regular basis, every 20,000 kilometres or so.
Newer diesel engines may contain two fuel filters. If your engine does, change both filters at the same time for the best results.
Air filters should also be inspected. These can be checked easily and replaced as needed.
Fuel and air filters both play a key role in keeping your engine clean and effective, so don’t forget to check and replace them often.
4. Change That Oil
To keep your engine running smoothly, change your oil regularly. This should be done every 8,000 kilometres or so.
Base your frequency on the type of work you do. Engines experiencing harder driving and towing may need an oil change before you reach 8,000 kilometres.
If you have an old truck or one that’s been driven a lot, change the filter every time you change the oil to keep things running smoothly.
Always make sure you use the right oil for your vehicle. If you’re not sure which type to use, consult your owner’s manual or have a pro perform your oil change for you.
5. Monitor and Repair Your Exhaust System
Your truck’s exhaust system is important to the health of your vehicle as well as the environment, so it needs to be checked regularly.
Don’t wait until there’s an issue. Take the time to regularly check the exhaust system so you can catch problems early.
Normal use of your vehicle will inevitably cause some damage. The harsh chemicals going through the exhaust system, debris from the road as well as corrosion can all cause damage too.
Because damage is likely, it’s essential to check your exhaust system regularly.
If the check engine light comes on, don’t wait to find out what the problem is. Get it fixed as soon as possible. There may be an issue with your exhaust system.
Check for problems with your truck’s exhaust hangers. These important components keep your exhaust system attached to your vehicle. Always replace any broken parts.
Keep an eye out for leaks on a regular basis and look out for corrosion and rust inside and outside your exhaust pipe.
Exhaust system maintenance is simple. Mostly, you just have to pay attention, but make sure you do so regularly!
Truck Maintenance: It’s Up to You
In a very real way, the life and performance of your truck largely depend on you. Constant use of the vehicle without proper maintenance can be hazardous.
Regular truck maintenance isn’t hard, but it’s absolutely worth it. The rewards definitely outweigh the cost.
Maintenance will cost you time and money, but wouldn’t you prefer to have small amounts of time and money taken up occasionally rather than run into big problems (and big expenses) down the road?
Taking the time to maintain your diesel truck can extend its life. Keep these simple tips in mind, and you’ll save yourself a lot of headache and money in the long run.
Performing maintenance on your vehicle can be daunting if you’re not used to it. Schedule an appointment with us today, and we’ll make sure your diesel vehicle is in tip-top shape. Our team is ready to help you!