Helpful Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Diesel Engine
There are plenty of things to keep an eye on in an effort to keep your engine in good condition. Annual inspections, replacement parts, and general upgrades are all normal to keep things running. However, the summer months can be especially rough on heavy equipment because of the heat. Here are some helpful summer maintenance tips for your diesel engine.
Oil Levels
Keeping an eye on your oil is always important, but it’s especially crucial in the summertime. The extreme heat often causes oil to heat up and become less viscous. The engine uses the lower-viscosity oil faster, and if your oil levels get too low, it can cause some significant damage to the important moving parts of your machine. Keep an eye on your oil levels and top them off or get a full oil change as necessary. If you hear a peculiar ticking sound from your engine, it could be a sign of a worn-out diesel engine that needs some additional fluids.
Air Filters
One helpful summer maintenance tip for your diesel engine is to clean out the air filter at the start of the summer. You always want to check that your air conditioner is working at the beginning of the summer, and you can go ahead and clean out your air filter at this time. The more grime and debris that goes into your filter, the harder your engine must work to get air through it.
Coolant Levels
Overheating engines are always a concern, but they’re a much larger worry when you’re driving a truck or using heavy equipment in above-average heat and sunlight. We recommend flushing the old coolant from your system, putting in new coolant, and doing a thorough inspection to ensure you don’t have any cracks or leaks in your system. Also, remember not to mix two different types of coolant together, as this may create a gel-like substance that can seriously damage your engine.
Wiper Blades
While your windshield wiper blades aren’t a direct component of your engine, it’s always a good idea to check on them and make necessary replacements during the summer. Summer brings heavy rains to many regions that can be pretty difficult to navigate. You want to take precautions and ensure you can drive safely in a surprise storm and keep your window clear.