What You Need to Know in Four Easy Steps
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Buying a car or truck with a diesel engine is usually always a good bet: They’re typically more powerful, more reliable, and more efficient than their gas counterparts, and so long as you look after it properly, it’ll look after you.
But of course, that raises the question, how do you look after your diesel? If you’re unsure, this article is here to help you. Here are four of the most important elements for maintaining your diesel engine, ensuring that it serves you for many years to come.
1. The Importance of Changing Your Oil and Filters
When compared to gas cars, diesel engines tend to produce more soot, and so need to have their oil changed at a more frequent rate. It is generally recommended that you change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles. If you’re doing hundreds of miles daily or weekly in your vehicle, perhaps even more frequently.
You’ll also need to make sure that you’re using oil designed for your engine’s specifications, as poor quality formulations can clog the parts more frequently, leading to an inefficient working environment.
2. Maintaining the Parts
Part maintenance is important for any vehicle, and is a key element of a full service, but for diesel cars and trucks, it goes a little beyond that.
If it gets to the point that some of your parts need replacing, you’ll need to match any new parts with the exact model of your engine. Because diesel cars aren’t as popular as gas ones, there aren’t as many reliable third-party manufacturers available, so only go for parts designed specifically for your type.
For example, you can find Cummins parts online at decent prices, as well as those from many other manufacturers, so you don’t necessarily have to find a physical dealer.
3. Important Warning Noises
If you’re running a modern car, it should do a good job of alerting you to any faults with the engine, but it’s important to be aware that diesel engines will typically show signs and symptoms of issues even before the warning lights come on.
These include loss of power (diesel engines typically have powerful acceleration), smoke or strange noises. If you experience any of these, head to a mechanic as soon as you can.
4. Keeping the Fuel System in Good Condition
Diesel fuel is quite different in consistency to gasoline. Because it’s more viscous, there’s a greater likelihood of general gunk and dirt accumulating, so you’ll need to be more mindful of keeping everything clean.
You should be regularly replacing your fuel filter after around 10,000 miles, too, and always use high-quality diesel from brands you recognize. You could also start using diesel fuel additives. These can help prevent the aforementioned build up from occurring in the first place in some cases.
Many of the sounds described above come from engines that aren’t clean, so make sure you stay on top of it.
Wrapping Up
You should now have a better idea of some of the most important elements for keeping your diesel engine in tip top condition. Looking after it only takes a few simple steps–just make sure you also keep everything serviced and checked up on regularly.
The post Maintaining Your Diesel Engine first appeared on Clean Fleet Report.