When driving a semi truck cross-country and trying to meet all your delivery deadlines, you should carry some extra items with you. That way, if you have issues in the middle of nowhere and are miles from the closest town, you can sometimes take care of the problem yourself.
Truck drivers traveling along Interstate 80 through southern Wyoming put serious miles and heavy loads on their equipment. Preventive maintenance is one of the best ways to avoid costly breakdowns and major engine failures while on the road. At Wyoming Diesel Service in Rawlins, WY, we regularly help drivers diagnose engine problems and perform repairs that keep trucks moving.
We suggest you carry the following: extra oil, coolant, washer fluid, DEF fluid, a fuel filter, and a fuel filter wrench. When changing your fuel filters, be sure to follow your engine manufacturer’s instructions and install the new fuel filters properly.
In addition, as a professional driver you need to keep a lookout for engine overheating, oil leaks, and coolant leaks, and keep up with general preventive maintenance. Keeping your engine maintained will help you make that delivery on time and help prevent breakdowns.
Make some time in your busy schedule and perform these basic tasks, as they will ultimately save you time and money and keep you out of the repair shop. But keep in mind that if you use Wyoming Diesel Service for your preventive maintenance needs, we will perform a free 59-point inspection to make sure your vehicle is ready for the miles ahead.
1. Keep Your Truck & Engine Clean
Whether you are driving across town or across the country, dust, road grime, and soot can make your truck rather messy. Keeping your truck clean allows you or your service technician to notice any issues before they become major problems.
For example, on a clean vehicle you can spot new oil leaks, broken hoses, coolant leaks, and other developing issues. In addition, dirty engine components such as radiators and intercoolers can affect engine cooling and performance, so it is important to keep them clean.
2. Keep an Eye on Your Fluids
Engine oil is essential for keeping your diesel engine running smoothly. Oil lubricates moving parts and reduces friction inside the engine. Over time oil becomes contaminated and must be replaced regularly.
You should also keep an eye on engine coolant because it is just as important as engine oil. Proper coolant levels and chemical balance help prevent engine overheating, coolant freezing, and engine-damaging electrolysis inside cylinder liners.
Lastly, windshield washer fluid is important for maintaining visibility. Dirty windshields are dangerous and can easily be cleaned with washer fluid when driving in wet or snowy conditions.
3. Change Filters Regularly
Just as your truck needs to stay clean, your fluids also need to remain clean. Filters are an important part of diesel preventive maintenance.
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Fuel filters need to be replaced periodically to maintain clean fuel flow to the engine. Dirty filters restrict fuel delivery and can cause poor performance or prevent the engine from running.
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Oil filters remove contaminants that can cause engine wear. Every time you change your engine oil, you should also replace the oil filter.
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Air filters ensure your engine is receiving clean air. A clogged air filter restricts airflow and can reduce engine performance and fuel efficiency.
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Diesel particulate filters (DPF) are also important to maintain. You can read more about them in the exhaust system section below.
4. Change Your Oil Regularly
To keep your motor running smoothly, replace your oil consistently. Oil change intervals depend on many factors such as engine workload, idle time, number of cold starts, and operating environment.
If you notice oil leaks or reduced engine performance, our technicians can inspect the issue and perform general truck repair services to help keep your truck operating properly.
Always use the proper oil recommended by your engine manufacturer. If you are unsure which oil to use, refer to your engine manual or consult a diesel repair professional.
5. Your Exhaust System
Your truck’s exhaust system is vital to the overall health of your vehicle. Modern diesel trucks use diesel particulate filters (DPF) and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems to meet emissions standards.
You should pay attention to your DPF regeneration cycle. Regen occurs when particles trapped in the filter burn off at high temperatures. If regeneration begins happening more frequently, a service technician should inspect the truck to determine the cause.
Your DEF tank should also remain full, as running out can cause fault codes and reduced engine performance. Exhaust system issues can sometimes require light and medium duty diesel repair to restore normal operation.
6. Check Your Radiator
A truck’s radiator keeps the engine cool by transferring heat away from the engine. Diesel engines generate a lot of heat, and a compromised radiator can lead to overheating and severe engine damage.
Cooling system maintenance includes radiator cleaning, coolant testing, and sometimes radiator replacement. Complete coolant testing checks freeze protection and chemical balance to ensure the cooling system is functioning properly.
If your truck begins overheating or losing power, professional diesel engine diagnostics and repair can help determine the root cause before serious damage occurs.
Diesel Repair Services in Rawlins, WY
- Diesel Engine Repair & Diagnostics
- Semi Truck & General Truck Repair
- Trailer Repair & Service
- Cummins Engine Repair
- Hydraulic Hose Repair & Replacement
Need Diesel Truck Repair in Rawlins, WY?
If your truck is experiencing engine problems, overheating, fuel system issues, or loss of power, Wyoming Diesel Service can help. Our technicians provide professional diesel diagnostics and repair for commercial trucks traveling along Interstate 80 and throughout southern Wyoming.
Call us today to get your truck back on the road quickly.
I like that you pointed out how you need to keep a lookout for engine overheating, oil leaks, and coolant leaks, and keep up with general preventative maintenance. I was watching a documentary about logistics and I saw how one trucking company performs maintenance on their trucks. From what I heard, it seems there are also companies nowadays that specialize in diesel truck maintenance services, which seems pretty useful.
It was interesting when you talked about how diesel particulate filters should be maintained as part of caring for the engine. My uncle is looking for ways to improve the performance and reduce emissions for the diesel engine of his truck. I’ll have to pass along this info to see if he’s done any research about how to maintain the DPF!
Professional help and consulting online for best oil is an important asset these days.
As you mentioned, it is a good idea to keep an eye on all your truck fluids to make sure they are all as they should be, and your engine oil isn’t contaminated. I know that they suggest that you change the car engine oil every 3000 miles. Is that the same with trucks, or does the diesel make things work differently?
Yes it’s different for Diesel engines. It’s best to reference your owners manual and talk with a service technician to discuss your operating conditions to come up with a oil changer interval.
Thank you for sharing that it is advisable to have our truck repaired especially after it overheats. The other day my friend mentioned that his truck was overheating. I will remind him to send it for repair when I speak with him later.
Thank you for reminding us that we should have our fuel filters changed and replaced regularly. My husband owns a diesel truck and I haven’t seen him maintaining it regularly. I would remind him to have a diesel mechanic check his diesel engine regularly so that it can be smooth every time he drives it.
I agree with you that it’s easier to spot oil leaks when our truck and engine is clean. My husband recently told me that his diesel engine is leaking and he can’t go on his drive across the country. I will definitely ask him to look for an engine repair service for his leaking engine and keep his truck clean all the time.
My brother wants to work for a trucking company this summer so that he can make a little extra money on the side. He has never driven a semi-truck before, so I imagine that there is a slight learning curve that he will need to pay attention to. You made a great point when you explained that it is important to put the proper oil into a semi. I’ll be sure to share this information with my brother so that he doesn’t ruin the engine with a different type of oil.
We wish your brother good luck with his new driving career!
You made a great point about changing your oil regularly so that the motor runs smoothly. My husband and I are looking for a diesel mechanic that can help fix his truck that has been leaking oil for a while now. We will keep these tips in mind as we search for a professional that can help us best.
I like what you said about using a diesel service for your truck so that you can find any issues before they become major problems. My sister has been telling me about how she wants to make sure that her truck stays in good condition. I’ll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for professionals who can help her with this in the future.
I really liked that you explained that I should change the oil in my car more often. That is good for me to know because I have been considering getting a diesel fuel truck this year. Also, I should get a professional to help me take care of the truck.
Before reading this, I didn’t understand that a radiator transfers engine heat out into the air, so it’s pretty important. A few weeks ago, my boss noticed some of our trucks aren’t running well. We’ll have to look into diesel engine services.
Thanks for mentioning to keep your truck clean because it allows a technician to notice any issues before becoming major problems. My brother is thinking about taking his truck in for service next week because he was driving down the highway last week and it started making a funny sound. It seems like a good investment to keep his vehicle clean in case he takes it in so the reputable professional can see if there are any problems with it.