Diesel vehicles make up about 3% of all vehicles sold in the United States. If you own a big body pickup truck or would like to, diesel versions are some of the best trucks to own.
Understanding how to maintain these trucks will help you become a better and more informed owner. We’re happy to steer you in the right direction.
Here are some tips that you should know about getting the most out of your diesel truck.
1. Commit to Thorough Maintenance Records
Consistent records help you provide the best possible diesel truck care. Having thorough records for your maintenance and repair will give you a foundation to build on.
It’ll let you know when you need fluid checks or maintenance for specific parts. Create a digital archive of all your maintenance appointment records. This will help you keep track of how much you’ve spent on your vehicle repairs each year, and what maintenance schedule it needs.
2. Take Care of the Oil
Caring for your diesel truck requires you to maintain the oil. Pop the hood and check your oil at the end of every week. Checking the oil lets you know whether the fluid is getting too dirty and whether a change is required.
Oil changes should be done every year or so to make sure that the diesel engine is still performing well. Here are some of the benefits of getting the oil changed:
- The diesel engine will run more efficiently
- It lowers the emissions that the truck creates
- Your engine will have fewer additives and deposits
- Oil changes improve your fuel economy
- Your engine will have more longevity
Always make sure that you’re using the oil that is suited for your truck’s diesel engine.
3. Get Work Done on the Transmission
Transmission work is almost as important as taking care of the diesel engine. Diesel pickup trucks often come with manual transmissions. This means inspecting the clutch and getting the transmission inspected.
An automatic transmission requires diligent examination and repair work because they come with more than 100 different parts.
To get the best from your diesel truck’s transmission, you should check the transmission fluid and get it changed when necessary. Check and repair the vehicle’s radiator, since it helps to keep your transmission fluid cool.
Be vigilant about getting transmission repairs rather than letting them go unchecked.
4. Tune the Engine
Diesel trucks need regular tune-ups to get the best performance. An engine tune-up involves having the sparked plugs changed, and inspecting or changing the wires.
When you get your engine tuned, you will:
- Help your truck create more power
- Improve your truck’s torque
- Give your truck the best fuel economy
- Prevents your engine from overheating
- Makes your engine last longer
Take the time to tune the engine if you’ve recently driven it for several miles or intend to. It’ll protect all of the engine’s parts while also making sure it’s exerting the right amount of force.
Tuning up your engine will even make your heating and cooling system work better. You’ll get your money’s worth from your truck and will be less likely to put it into the shop for expensive engine work.
5. Handle Your Exhaust Emissions
Take the time to handle any work that you need for the exhaust or emissions. Look after the fuel injectors, change the engine filter after oil changes, and repair the muffler and exhaust.
A truck that gets low emissions will be easier to maintain, will pass smog inspections, and create less environmental pollution.
6. Repair Your Brakes
Handle the care of your brakes to the best of your ability. Pickup trucks weigh 2 to 3 tons, so your brakes need to always be able to stop the load and bring it to a reasonable speed.
Properly caring for your brakes will protect your safety and the way your pickup truck operates. Put your truck in the shop so that you can get the brake pads changed and flush brake fluid that is starting to burn out.
Get your brakes inspected and maintained at least once a year whether you think the truck needs it or not.
7. Change and Care for Your Tires
Your truck won’t get far without high-quality tires. Take the time to measure the tread of the vehicle, inflate the tires, and patch up any holes that can create leaks.
Change the tires as soon as you notice that the tread has worn thin. Maintaining your tires will help you keep your truck safe and improve the steering, handling, and overall control of the truck.
8. Inspect Your Vehicle Yearly
The most important thing you can do for your diesel truck is to make sure that you’re sticking to a strict inspection schedule. When your truck is inspected at least once a year, you won’t worry about missing any major red flags.
Getting preventative inspections will make the truck cheaper to own, which will help you get a better return on investment (ROI) from the original vehicle purchase. This is especially important if your diesel truck is a work vehicle for farmland, construction, oil fields, and any similar line of work.
Take Care of Your Diesel Truck
Taking care of your diesel truck will let you get the best performance out of it for years. These tips will keep your truck running effectively and inexpensively.
Let Diesel Performance Specialist help you with all of your diesel truck needs. Reach out to us on our contact form or give us a call at (916)652-9457.
