If you’ve recently purchased a new diesel truck, you may be curious about its maintenance schedule. After all, a diesel truck is very different from other kinds of vehicles.
If you’re feeling uncertain about how often you should take your diesel truck to a mechanic for service, here are a few helpful guidelines.
The Difference
To understand what your diesel truck needs, you first need to understand why it’s different from other types of vehicles.
First, the manner of starting the engine is different. Where gasoline engines are started by a spark, a diesel truck is ignited through a process of compression.
Another important difference lies in the type of fuel the engine uses. Diesel tends to leave a build-up of debris in the engine, where gasoline is much cleaner. Because of this debris, most mechanics will recommend that you drive the truck for long distances to get it out the engine’s system.
When To Change The Oil
It’s true that diesel trucks hold more oil than other vehicles. This leads to a popular misconception that they can go a long time between oil changes. But that’s not actually true. Because diesel trucks often sit idle for many hours in a workday, debris in the engine can really build up. If this is the case with your own diesel truck, it’s a good idea to get an oil change either every 200 hours of operation or every 3500 miles, depending on which comes first.
Other Essential Maintenance Services
Besides changing the oil, there are several other services which your diesel truck requires on a regular basis, including:
● Lubricating the chassis every 3000 miles or 90 days
● A diagnostic check every 10,000 miles
● Tire rotation every 10,000 miles
● Brake fluid flush every 20,000 miles or two years
● Changing air filters every 20,000 miles
By following these simple guidelines, you can keep your diesel truck in top shape. Call a certified mechanic at All In the Wrist Auto today to find out how we can help.
