Diesel Maintenance

Warning lights tell me when to change filters. But, I always check their staus before leaving on a big trip because when I bought my new 2013 Duramax I negotiated lifetime oil changes. I'll get a free oil change before leaving so I don't have to pay for one on the road. Maintenance isn't much different than a gasser.

On my 2008 and 2015 Dmax I just do as the sensor tells me. I have GM do the change (2015 free till 24000 miles), I have to much invested in engine and th4ey are particular about warranty issues. On my 2008 the Detroit dealer would charge 59 bucks for oil, filter and wash. If a fuel filter was needed another 60 or 70 bucks. they also are knowledgeable to the engine and truck worth it IMO.

I am under a Ford ESP extended warranty so I have all my maintenance completed at Ford dealerships. I keep track and go by a modified "severe usage" maintenance schedule, I don't wait for the truck's computer to tell me to change the oil or fuel filter.

However, all this depends on how many miles you tow with your truck and possibly even what type of weights you are towing.

IMHO it is more expensive to not only purchase a diesel, but also to properly maintain it. If I didn't have to have one for towing I would stick with gas.

My baby diesel, I change the fuel filter once a year. I do have an aftermarket filter with a finer filtration. I empty the water seperator when the filter is changed. Never needed to drain it....yet...

My 2012 Cummins I replace the fuel filter every 10k miles at 59.00 dollars. Oil change every 6000 miles at 14.00 for the filter, and about 45.00 for the oil. Air filter was 26.00 and I replaced it for the first time at 19000 miles. There really isnt any other maintenance different than other vehicles. Sure the diesel takes 12 quarts compared to maybe 6 or 8 in a gasser. But you also dont have spark plugs to replace so Im not real sure where all these super expensive diesel cost rumors come from. Maybe if you paid people to do it. Prices I quoted are all me doing the maintenance. Draining the water separator is as easy as turning a knob. Takes all of one minute

Valkyriebush wrote:
Depends on the chassis. The fuel filters and water separator is changed the same time as the oil and chassis lube when mine is done. 11000 mile M1 service, 25,000 M3 (all required fluids and filters). I have it done every other season as I won't hit 11,000 miles that soon, and the M-3 by mileage. I get a 21 point inspection as well during the chassis lube. My last service and inspection, leaking wheel bearing hub and exhaust manifold gasket failure. $1100.00. Basic lube and oil $300.00 M-3 $1200.00. It does add up, but worth it. I drain the fuel water separator a little after refueling. Freightliner XC chassis

I did not realize this was in the Tow Vehicle section. Disregard.

what year of diesel truck? changes in trucks every year.

i have a 2006 chevy and have walmart change the oil when my sensor tells me to. some of the older trucks don't have a sensor.

same with fuel filter; when the sensor tells me too. I can change that myself, many service places seem not to be interested in changing a filter on a diesel..oh well. and, i've never drained the filter for water, which in my chevy is somewhat of a pain.

that's the "maintenace" you typically deal with.

that's about it....truck runs and runs and runs.

Depends on the chassis. The fuel filters and water separator is changed the same time as the oil and chassis lube when mine is done. 11000 mile M1 service, 25,000 M3 (all required fluids and filters). I have it done every other season as I won't hit 11,000 miles that soon, and the M-3 by mileage. I get a 21 point inspection as well during the chassis lube. My last service and inspection, leaking wheel bearing hub and exhaust manifold gasket failure. $1100.00. Basic lube and oil $300.00 M-3 $1200.00. It does add up, but worth it. I drain the fuel water separator a little after refueling. Freightliner XC chassis

The new trucks have monitors that tell you when you need to change the oil or fuel filters. The interval isn't any shorter than it is with gas engines. There are two fuel filters tho (at least on Fords). They recommend that you drain a small amount of fuel out of the filter (water separator) when you fuel up. It's right under the driver's seat.

These trucks take a lot of oil, about 15 Qt or Liters and the set of fuel filters (about every 15,000 mi (24000 km) is pricey--around US$50. So that is the major expense difference for routine maintenance.