Did you know that some diesel engines can go almost 800 miles on a single tank of gas? Diesel trucks, as a result, are far more efficient than those powered by gasoline.
As efficient as diesel trucks are, you still need to be sure you’re getting the best truck care possible. That’s where we come in.
We’ve compiled a truck maintenance checklist for your personal use. Using this will ensure you experience as few truck problems as possible.
If you’re ready to learn what to look out for the next time you get truck maintenance, then keep reading.
Truck Maintenance Checklist
Knowing what is important when it comes to having maintenance done on your truck can be difficult. There are so many different parts it can be hard to decide what is the most important to inspect.
Fortunately, this list should help you to decide what you think is most important to focus on. By focusing on these items and adding your own, you will ensure that your truck maintenance goes smoothly.
Having maintenance go well means that these parts will last longer. That saves you from potentially having to replace parts, saving you money in the long-term.
1. Diesel Oil Change
Although diesel oil changes can wait longer than oil changes in a gasoline truck, its still crucial to keep up on them. You should be getting a diesel change no less than every ten thousand miles or one year.
In a gasoline powered truck, not getting an oil change will prematurely age an engine. However, missing oil changes in a diesel powered truck can quickly destroy your engine.
Old and dirty oil can cause unnecessary friction and heat in your diesel engine. By staying up to date on oil changes, you can ensure that your truck won’t be damaged beyond repair.
2. Air Filter
Air filters prevent particles and debris from reaching your engine that could potentially harm it. A dirty, clogged filter will allow more of this debris through to parts of the engine that should be free of dirt or grime.
Always use a new air filter instead of just cleaning and replacing the filter. Using the same filter will make it less effective over time, which is dangerous to your car.
Keep the area you live in in mind. Depending on the environment around you, you might have to change your air filter more often to keep your engine clear.
3. Tires
When it comes to truck maintenance, tires are essential. Improperly cared for tires are a major safety hazard, and tires affect the performance of the rest of your truck.
Tire pressure engine strain, fuel economy, and oil life – and that’s just for starters. Checking your tire pressure or having it checked before a trip is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
In addition have your tires checked for uneven wear, bubbling, or other things to be concerned for. Doing your due diligence on your tires both helps your truck maintenance and makes driving safer.
4. Fuel System
Making sure that your diesel tank and fuel lines are all intact and working properly is more important than you would think. A fuel line that has been severed is a major safety hazard.
In addition, maintenance makes sure that the tank and fuel lines are clean so that your diesel fuel works as best as it can.
5. Cooling System
As with changing oil, it’s important to make sure your cooling system is working as it should and that the coolant levels are where they should be. Ideally, you should be checking your coolant levels at least every few months. You should absolutely check the coolant levels before you go on a long trip of any kind.
Coolant, like oil, works to keep your engine from overheating. If you don’t have enough coolant in your diesel engine, you’ll quickly damage it by unnecessary friction and overheating.
Making sure all is well with the cooling system is an easy way to maintain your truck.
6. All Lights
Lights on your vehicle can be an easy thing to overlook, but it’s important to make sure that these are working properly. Once a month, park in front of a flat surface to check your headlights. Make sure that both your headlights are working properly and well-positioned.
After that, walk around to the back of your truck and check if the rearview lights are working. Visually inspect both turn signals and parking lights as you walk around your truck.
Once you’re done with this, have a friend stand behind your car to tell if your brake lights work.
7. Transmission Fluid
Similar to oil in your diesel engine, transmission fluid is a necessary part of keeping your engine running smoothly. It’s a lubricant that keeps all of the moving parts in the transmission of your engine working properly. This is true for both diesel engines and those powered by gasoline.
It is essential to have your transmission fluid checked when you have maintenance done on your car and changed if it needs changing. Without this, your transmission will need costly repairs.
You might even need to replace it, costing you more money than you would have needed to spend otherwise.
Reach Out to Us
Now that you’ve heard all of the things on our truck maintenance checklist, you can use ours and add your own. You can also begin on more even terms when looking for truck maintenance.
If you have more questions for us, or you’d like to come to us for truck maintenance, you should reach out to us.
You can do this by phone, by e-mail, or by filling out the form linked above. Simply ask us your questions or tell us your concerns and we’ll get back to you promptly!
