Tips for owning a diesel and/or participating in a diesel forum.
(1) Turbo warmup and cooldowns...do it. Allow engine to idle for a bit on a cold start and drive gently until engine warms up and then drive normally. Turbo cooldown duration depend on type of driving. Street driving 30 seconds, just off highway 1 minute. Towing: 4-5 minutes.
(2) On diesels equipped with a VNT turbo you need to exercise the full range of the VNT actuator or it could soot up. Don't be afraid to step on it several times a week.
(3) Short trips= bad
(4) Diesels do not have a gas pedal. Mention a gas pedal on a diesel forum and you'll get a lot of flack. Its a go pedal or accelerator.
(5) If you have any problem with a diesel engine change fuel filter first! NO if ands or buts. Carry spare filter and spare DEF at all times.
(6) Try to use a block heater in cold weather.
(7) Don't shut off engine during a DPF regen. Know what a DPF regen is and signs/symptoms when it is regnerating.
(8) Use high volume diesel fuel stations.
(9) Don't ever run out of fuel, ever!
(10) Use a lubricity additive or a splash of biodiesel (B5) to improve fuel lubricity to prolong high pressure fuel pump lifespan.
(11) Be patient, It took me typically 20-25,000 miles to reach peak in fuel economy.
(12) Don't be afraid to work the engine hard. If possible, get an EGT gauge and ensure you don't exceed EGT limitations when towing in high altitude areas.
(13) Don't post online any illegal modifications or tune. If you brag about an EGR delete or DPF delete tune from XYZ corporation, some limp wristed forum lurker may put your tuner company out of business and you may get busted when that company's records are seized by the gubment.
(14) If you brew your own biodiesel and use it in your diesel, keep that info to yourself. Several online braggarts have gotten busted for not paying road tax on biodiesel that was made from waste vegetable oil...big fines.
(15) NEVER admit to having a tune on our engine to anyone online EVER!
(16) DO your own maintenance.
(17) Get to know your engine's normal sounds. You should be able to pick unusual engine noises that may indicate problems from the normal "diesel clatter"
(18) An anti-gel additive should be considered in cold weather...use one that boosts fuel lubricity.
(19) Never allow anyone other than yourself to refuel the truck. If you lend your truck out, make sure you insist that it is not refueled as a courtesy.
(20) Pay specific attention to the oil spec and know them. A body shop did me a "favor" and did a courtesy oil change with wrong spec oil that could have harmed the DPF over the course of its use. My wife's diesel Grand Cherokee requires use of a 10/quart ESP Mercedes Spec'd oil...don't trust that a non-dealership will use the correct oil....they never do.
(21) Check turbos for "play" at least once a year...know normal turbo sounds.
(22) KNOW WHAT A RUNAWAY IS AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT! Example: if a turbo blows a seal, the engine oil used to lubricate it can be sucked into the intake from the turbo and your engine will run on it (they call them oil burners for a reason). Engine speed/power is determined by fuel (no throttle body in intake to limit air intake) and if a turbo blows, you got unlimited fuel similar to full go pedal application and that can get you in a bind. If you are driving and have a runaway engine, put engine in nuetral and let it overrev and blow when it runs out of oil. If you can, throw a rag into intake to starve engine of air before it blows. Google diesel runaway. Note: Avoid tailgating propane delivery trucks in hot weather. The propane delivery truck tank is designed to vent in hot weather and tehre have been reports of transient runaways from propane being sucked into the intake of diesel in back of it. Video of a diesel run away.
Turning the "ignition" key off will not stop a runaway.