Low mileage advice

[TraceDodge]

Hi Folks!

I will only be putting around 5,000 miles (or less) per year on my truck (see signature). Are there things I should do to keep my truck running well and keep things from getting gunked up?

Any advice will be received with grattitude.

[danny]

welcome to the forum and you will find several diesel fans here that will be able to help you with the diesel questions.

[1fatcat]

Originally posted by TraceDodge
Hi Folks!

I will only be putting around 5,000 miles (or less) per year on my truck (see signature). Are there things I should do to keep my truck running well and keep things from getting gunked up?

Any advice will be received with grattitude.

Why did you buy such a big work truck like that to use for 5,000 miles a year?!?!?!?

[KA9MOT]

Originally posted by 1fatcat
Why did you buy such a big work truck like that to use for 5,000 miles a year?!?!?!?

A very good question.

[vetteonr]

Maybe it's 5,000 "grunt" miles.

[KA9MOT]

A good answer.

[8winsforcar12]

Well best i can say is ask the dealership you bought it from....Myself if I were only to drive that short of distance each year i would have purchased a gas engine...Good luck and sorry i couldnt offer much help!!!!!

[TraceDodge]

They are grunt miles...to pull a heavy 5th wheel.

[abe5775]

There are a few things that can be done to help. Whenever you do use the vehicle make sure to a least get the enigine up to operating temp before shutting it down... probably 180 degrees. With a diesel this means working it and I see that they will be grunt miles so don't be afraid to grunt. (That doesn't sound right).Most fuels already have an anti gelling agent in them but an additive with algea preventative should also be used. So if you can find an additive with both these ingredients that should help. Diesels run the best when they are balls out for long periods so don't baby it. The oil should be spectrographically tested when changed. There are alot of "uglies" in diesels that can be very damaging. You can pick up a test kit at any Caterpillar shop or Cummins shop. This can tell you if the oil should be changed more often and also if there is something failing or needs attention. I do this every oil change on all of the trucks and buses I am caring for and it has saved me a couple engines in the past. Last is the fuel filters and air filters. The air filter shouldn't be a big problem but I would change the fuel filters twice a year since this will probably be sitting alot. If i think of anything else I will post it.

[8winsforcar12]

Originally posted by abe5775
There are a few things that can be done to help. Whenever you do use the vehicle make sure to a least get the enigine up to operating temp before shutting it down... probably 180 degrees. With a diesel this means working it and I see that they will be grunt miles so don't be afraid to grunt. (That doesn't sound right).Most fuels already have an anti gelling agent in them but an additive with algea preventative should also be used. So if you can find an additive with both these ingredients that should help. Diesels run the best when they are balls out for long periods so don't baby it. The oil should be spectrographically tested when changed. There are alot of "uglies" in diesels that can be very damaging. You can pick up a test kit at any Caterpillar shop or Cummins shop. This can tell you if the oil should be changed more often and also if there is something failing or needs attention. I do this every oil change on all of the trucks and buses I am caring for and it has saved me a couple engines in the past. Last is the fuel filters and air filters. The air filter shouldn't be a big problem but I would change the fuel filters twice a year since this will probably be sitting alot. If i think of anything else I will post it.

Sounds like some one did their homework