Tips for Keeping Your Diesel Engine Transfer Trucks Moving
Your goal as a trucking company owner is to keep as many trucks as possible on the road at all times. Doing any less would result in a loss of income. However, a diesel engine truck is a touchy thing and requires extra maintenance- especially when the temperatures get warm. To keep making deliveries and ensure the only downtimes is the scheduled one, proactive diesel engine maintenance is non-negotiable.
• Stay Cool – Monitor the coolant level. Coolant will become acidic if not changed out. If it becomes acidic it can rot out other parts of the engine. AMSOIL dealer Lifetime Oil has coolant, as well as many other products formulated for big rigs and other commercial equipment.
• Keep it Clean – Want to add years to a diesel engine’s road life? Take time to clean it up. As your drivers go from place to place, dirt and dust will collect on the engine. This is debris accumulation is worse if you live in a colder region! Use a moist sponge to wipe it down, then use a degreaser to safely dissolve any build-up.
• Change the Oil – The fastest way to harm a diesel engine is to ignore the oil light and not change the oil! Your drivers put a lot of miles on their trucks. Check the oil level at the end of each day and top off as necessary. Then, schedule oil changes as per manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Filter Updates – Diesel engines are more high-maintenance than their gas counterparts. As such, you will need to change the filter often to keep unwanted elements from entering the engine. Do this by replacing filters frequently. A dirty engine will lose power and quit much sooner than one kept clean. Replace fuel filters every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. The oil filter between 75,000 and 100,000 miles, and the air filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.
• Use the Diesel Fuel – You can use diesel in a gas engine, but not the reverse. It might be tempting to save a few cents by using gas engine fuel, but the problems it will cause will outweigh the savings. Diesel engines must have diesel fuel. Failing to do so will cause significant damage to the engine and the emission system.
• Run a Diagnostic Test – After every long haul, take a few minutes to hook the truck up to a diagnostic test and check all the engine components. Then make any needed changes or replacements. You don’t want to lose money due to unplanned downtime.
Your fleet drivers and the places of business they go, count on you. Do your part to keep those diesel trucks on the road. Intentional maintenance is a great place to start. Contact Lifetime Oil now to be sure you have the products you need.
