Diesel Truck Maintenance Guide

When you depend so much on your diesel truck to perform a variety of tasks—from transporting equipment and supplies to hauling away debris—there’s nothing more frustrating than an unexpected breakdown. You don’t want to waste time or money on expensive repairs due to neglect. That’s why performing regular maintenance is an essential part of truck ownership, whether you manage a fleet or you’re an independent operator responsible for your own vehicle.

Draco Isuzu Truck Center is proud to be your premier diesel truck dealer in San Diego, California. Here are our top tips for keeping your diesel truck in good working order so that it’s ready to serve you whenever you need it.

Before You Begin

The first step in any maintenance project is locating the owner’s manual for the vehicle. While we can give you a few tips that will apply broadly to most diesel trucks, the only way to know what kinds of maintenance checks your particular model requires is to consult the owner’s manual. There are usually sections on how to care for the vehicle, as well as a chart to track servicing records. It might even have some tips on specific products you should use. If you can’t locate the owner’s manual, try the manufacturer’s website for a downloadable version.

When to Service your Truck?

Fleet owners should be particularly concerned with servicing their diesel trucks. With so many vehicles to rely on and care for, you’ll want to make sure you keep the maintenance costs down to a minimum. Allowing your trucks to run without regular inspection and service can allow small problems to snowball into big, expensive breakdowns. This is where preventive maintenance helps keep your vehicles running smoothly.

Preventive maintenance uses regular checks to spot problem areas before they get too bad. This should probably include a diagnostic, even if it’s only to confirm that there’s nothing to fix. The big question then is how often to perform these basic checks. Odds are, you’ll be looking at a six-month interim service (or around 10,000 miles) and a twelve-month full service (or around 20,000 miles).

Keep It Clean

It's amazing how quickly dirt can build up inside your truck. Between the road, the garage, and smoke and diesel, you’ll have a lot of grime to clean up. While it’s certainly best to keep things clean on a mechanical level, it’s also important to present a vehicle that appears tidy and professional. After all, a clean, shiny truck will help enhance your professional image in the eyes of your clients.

Remember to clean the diesel particulate filter with pressurized air often. Waiting too long can make it difficult to clean and it might even require a replacement. Similar treatment should be applied to your diesel oxidation catalyst. Your diesel truck may also need to have the fuel injector cleaned, as this component can become clogged with sooty particulate after extended use, and will cease to function if you don’t perform proper maintenance.

Change Your Oil and Coolant

Every vehicle with an engine requires oil to run correctly, and your diesel truck is no exception. The oil should be clear and light brown in color. Any metallic flakes or dust in your oil can be indicative of a bigger problem with your engine. If your oil is too thick and sludgy, it’s time to get it changed. The coolant is another important fluid. A cool engine is a happy engine, so always keep your coolant topped off.

Check Tire Pressure & Condition

The tires on your diesel truck hold it up and carry the weight of the vehicle itself as well as everything you transport, so they take a lot of abuse over time. Check them with a tire pressure gauge before every trip so that you know they’re aired up to the proper psi levels. You’ll also want to make sure that there are no embedded objects in the treads, signs of uneven wear, or cracks in the sidewall. Always replace a worn or bad tire before you drive your truck.

We hope you found this diesel truck maintenance guide useful! If you need more help, or you’re just interested in checking out some diesel trucks for sale, get in touch with us at Draco Isuzu Truck Center in San Diego, CA. Our team of experts will answer all your questions and help you find what you’re looking for. We proudly serve all our friends in San Diego County.