How To Prepare Your Diesel Truck for Long-Distance Travel
Long-distance travel is tough on any vehicle, but diesel trucks require special care and attention. Whether you‘re planning a cross-country road trip or hauling heavy loads over an extended distance, prepping your diesel truck will make the trip enjoyable. Here’s everything you need to know about how to prepare your diesel truck for long-distance travel.
Inspect Your Engine and Fluid Levels
Before your trip, inspect your truck’s engine. Check for leaks, weird noises, and visible damage. Replace and/or top off the fluids, including fuel, coolant, engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Diesel engines produce a lot of heat and even more on long trips. Pay special attention to coolant levels in order to prevent overheating, especially when driving in hot climates.
Check the Tires
Put plenty of TLC into the tires because they directly affect fuel efficiency and safety. Inspect tire tread depth, and watch for uneven wear or damage. And don’t forget your spare! Inflate all tires to the recommended pressure listed in your vehicle’s manual. Tire maintenance enhances both handling and fuel economy and keeps you safe on rough, slick, or icy roads.
Check Your Battery and Electrical Systems
Long-distance travel demands reliable power, especially for modern diesel trucks that have the latest technology. Test the battery to ensure a full charge and to see if it’s capable of holding that charge. Clean off corrosion from the terminals, and secure the connections. If your truck’s battery appears to be near the end of its life, replace it before your trip. If you’re driving during periods of cold weather, be sure you’re versed in jump-starting a diesel truck engine.
Pack Emergency Essentials
Equip your truck with an emergency kit containing jumper cables, a flashlight, a first aid kit, basic tools, and reflective warning triangles. Packing extra diesel fuel filters and a fuel additive is a smart move, especially if you’re traveling in cold climates.
Inspect Brakes and Suspension
Braking while hauling heavy loads can strain your truck’s brakes. Inspect the brake pads, rotors, and fluid levels, and replace anything that doesn’t look up to snuff before you leave. Also, note weird vibrations or noises coming from the suspension system. They might be alerting you to a problem that you should deal with at home rather than on the road.
Plan for Refueling and Stops
While diesel trucks get better mileage than gas-powered vehicles, you’ll eventually run out of fuel. Diesel can be slightly harder to come by than gas in some places, so plan your route in advance. Identify fuel stops along the way, and look for stations that carry high-quality diesel to avoid performance issues.
Knowing how to prepare your diesel truck for long-distance travel gives you a chance to have a smooth and trouble-free long-distance adventure!