Our running collection of honest, no-fluff advice we give every diesel owner who walks through our door.
diesel truck maintenance tips
Diesel trucks often give warning signs before major failure—changes in power, fuel economy, exhaust smoke, fluid levels, or changes in starting behavior should be investigated.
DO NOT IGNORE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT! Have your vehicle diagnosed as soon as possible. It could save you thousands of dollars!
Diagnose the system, not just the code. Do not let someone diagnose your vehicle over the phone without seeing the vehicle in person.
Don't request quotes before the truck is properly diagnosed. It is critical to assess mechanical components & the entire system and sometimes related systems when completing a diagnosis.
Routine maintenance is not optional on a diesel; oil changes, fuel filters, coolant service, and air filters directly affect performance, reliability, and repair costs.
A diesel truck that is maintained properly before it breaks is almost always less expensive than one repaired after failure.
We recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles & fuel filter changes every other oil change. The operating conditions in Arizona should be considered "severe" due to the extreme heat & heavy dust/dirt.
Fuel quality matters—contaminated fuel, water in the fuel system, or delayed fuel filter replacement can cause expensive injector and fuel system damage.
OEM fuel filters are typically the highest quality & cheapest insurance you can buy for your fuel system.
Coolant condition is critical; neglected coolant can contribute to EGR cooler, oil cooler, head gasket, and overheating problems.
Do not let your vehicle go without being driven for weeks/months. We recommend driving it at least once per week to keep the hoses lubricated & contaminants from settling in the fluids.
Diesel-powered trucks are built to work hard, but frequent city driving and stop-and-go traffic can be tough on emissions systems, fuel systems, and overall engine performance.
Modern diesel emission systems need heat and proper drive cycles to work correctly; repeated short trips can contribute to DPF, EGR, and regeneration issues.
If you drive a RAM, turn the exhaust brake on every time you drive it. It will likely save your turbo from catastrophic failure.
OEM parts are often the most reliable choice, select aftermarket parts sometimes meet or exceed factory performance when properly chosen. We see problems caused by aftermarket modifications.
