7 Maintenance Tips To Extend the Life of Your Diesel Truck
Keep Your Engine Running at Peak Performance
This article may contain affiliate links.
As diesel truck owners, we don’t have to tell you how wonderful these machines are. They’re the best of both worlds: powerful, efficient and rugged as hell. According to Globe Newswire, the sale of diesel pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUV) grew by 28% in 2020, even when auto sales for the year declined by 14%.
But like all vehicles, a little bit of maintenance is required to keep diesel trucks running at their peak performance. Here are seven maintenance tips that will extend the life of your diesel truck:
Change Your Engine Oil Regularly
The engine oil is a lubricant that helps it run smoothly. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global auto engine oil market size is projected to reach $44.66 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 2.88%.
Engine oil keeps the engine clean and free from dirt, grime and rust, which can damage your truck. The oil filter is located on the side of your engine block. Change it every 3,000 miles or every six months (whichever comes first).
Use the Right Oil
The oil you use to lubricate your engine is critical. When it comes to diesel engines, you must use the right type of oil.
The first thing to consider is viscosity, which refers to the thickness or thinness of an oil’s consistency. Oils with a higher viscosity will be thicker and flow more slowly than those with lower viscosity.
You should always refer to your owner’s manual or speak with a mechanic before choosing what kind of oil will work best for your truck’s needs. But in general, most modern diesel recommend either 10w-30 (thinner) or 15w-40 (thicker).
Check and Maintain All Fluids
Every time you fill up with fuel, make sure to check the oil level and top off if necessary. It’s also important to check other fluids, such as transmission fluid and coolant levels. How often should you do this?
Well, it depends on your vehicle. Some vehicles will have specific recommendations for when to change the oil (such as every 3,000 miles). Consult your owner’s manual, or ask a reputable mechanic if you’re unsure. If any of these are low or need replacing, this can be done at any local automotive repair shop.
Replace Parts for Better Performance
When you’re taking care of your truck, it’s important to make sure that all the parts are in good working order. You can buy US diesel parts online for the exact make and year of your diesel truck if any part is worn out, broken or damaged.
A damaged part will prevent your truck from operating properly and can even lead to more serious problems. When replacing these truck parts with new ones, consider doing so before they break down completely:
- Replace worn-out spark plugs and wires. This will help your diesel engine run smoothly and efficiently.
- Replace broken vacuum hoses. They often cause poor acceleration in older vehicles.
- Replace leaking oil filters as soon as possible. They can cause damage to other components if left unchecked for too long.
Flush Out Your Fuel System
Flush out your fuel system. The best way to do this is by using a diesel fuel additive called “Sta-Bil” that you can buy at any auto parts store. It’s not expensive, and it will help clean out the sludge in the fuel tank and injectors over time.
If you don’t have any stabilizer on hand, then just put a few gallons of fresh diesel fuel into your truck before starting it up. That should be enough to get rid of most of the gunk buildup from sitting around idling for long periods.
Perform this maintenance regularly, like every three months or so, depending on how much driving you do each week/month (more frequently if you drive more).
Pay Attention to Your Turbocharger
Use a turbocharger pressure tester to check for leaks. If you have an internal leak, it will show up almost immediately in the form of smoke coming from under your hood. An external leak is more difficult to spot and might not be obvious at all. Look for oil on the exhaust manifold, which is another sign that something’s wrong with your turbocharger.
You should also inspect the exhaust manifold and wastegate actuator regularly to make sure they aren’t cracked or damaged. If either of these parts is damaged, they could cause additional problems with your vehicle and require replacement as soon as possible (and possibly even prevent operation altogether).
Replace Your Glow Plugs When Needed
If you’re driving a diesel truck, you should be keeping an eye on the glow plugs. These are used to start the engine and are located in the exhaust system. Glow plugs can wear down over time and need to be replaced occasionally. As per Straits Research, the global glow plug market size was worth $4.16 billion in 2021. It could reach $5.82 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 3.8%.
But it’s not recommended that you change the glow plug yourself unless you have a great deal of experience working with diesel engines (or if your truck is old enough that parts are no longer available). If this is the case, seek out help from a certified mechanic who can ensure safety for both your vehicle and its passengers.
The best thing to do when replacing glow plugs is to have them checked by a professional mechanic. This ensures that they’re properly installed, which may save money down the road by avoiding future repairs or replacements.
Conclusion
Taking care of your diesel truck is important. It’s not just about keeping it running, but also about protecting the environment because diesel trucks produce up to 10 times more particulate matter than gasoline vehicles.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your truck runs well, keeps pollutants out of the air and saves money on fuel costs.
Some diesels to consider:
Road Test: 2021 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel
Flash Drive: 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Duramax Diesel
Road Test: 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
