Anyone who owns a diesel pickup truck knows that diesel engines require different methods of upkeep than gasoline ones do. In general, diesel engines are less expensive to maintain, but they still need regular checkups to make sure they’re running the best that they can. Today’s article is going to walk you through what you need to do to maintain your diesel pickup’s engine so that it can last as long as possible.
General Maintenance Tips for Your Truck
Caring for a diesel pickup truck may seem like a lot of work, but in the end, it’s worth it. Here is a list of some of the most important things you need to be doing to make sure your truck runs well for a long time.
Clean the engine
A dirty engine is at risk of underperformance. When it comes to the hauling and towing that many people use diesel pickups for, a dirty engine is a big no-no. Allowing grime to build up on your engine can cause clogs and damage to various parts of the engine. Regular cleaning helps avoid these problems before they even begin.
Keep an eye on fluids like oil and coolant
Like a gasoline vehicle, diesel engines rely on various fluids to keep things running smoothly. It’s essential to check the levels of each of these on a regular basis and change them out when necessary.
Coolant, especially, can become acidic over time, which can cause corrosion and damage to your engine, so you need to monitor the acidity and change it out when appropriate. When it comes to oil, how often it needs to be changed will depend largely on what kind of driving you do with the truck. If you use it for a lot of hard-driving and towing, you should get it changed every 3,000 miles or so. If you’re easier on it, you can probably stretch that out to every 5,000 miles.
