Keeping your semi truck running smoothly is a crucial part of a trucking job. If your vehicle isn’t performing at its best, it can create several obstacles when you hit the road. The engine is an integral component of your semi truck and deserves special attention.
Here are a few tips to keep it running smoothly so you can avoid costly heavy duty truck repair:
Change the engine oil regularly
Properly scheduled oil changes are crucial in keeping your semi truck engine running correctly. Commercial vehicles are driven a lot and cover long distances, so it’s imperative to keep track of engine oil to protect the engine and maximize its useful life.
The engine oil should be replaced every 20,000 to 30,000 miles, depending on the engine design, age, and condition. Always choose high-quality oil to protect your engine and ensure optimal performance.
Replace the air filter frequently
The air filter plays a critical role in preventing dust, dirt, and pollutants and others from getting into your semi truck engine. Over time, it accumulates environmental contaminants and becomes clogged, which can affect the performance of your truck.
The filter should be replaced every 10,000 to 12,000 miles. A new filter will improve the flow weaken performance as the engine can draw fuel more efficiently. The fuel pump will not require to work harder, and your semi truck will run smoothly.
Monitor the exhaust system
The exhaust system of your semi truck is responsible for three important functions. It muffles the voice, removes harmful pollutants, and safely gets hot exhaust gas out from the engine, which allows your vehicle’s engine to breathe and function effectively.
It’s crucial to monitor the performance of the exhaust system of your semi truck. A well-maintained and functional system provides an efficient path for exhaust gases to escape and protect your vehicle’s engine from damage.
Keep the engine clean
Over time, the engine can accumulate dirt, gunk, and grime, which makes it work harder and will affect its performance and road life. You must clean the engine regularly to get rid of deposits in the fuel-borne areas.
Keeping the engine clean can also help identify minor issues in your engine, which can exacerbate into bigger problems. You can wipe the engine regularly and perform steam cleaning occasionally to keep it nice and clean.
Engine Control Unit repair and reprogramming
Engine Control Unit (ECU) serves as the brain and is responsible for controlling essential functions of your semi truck. A faulty ECM affects components like the transmission and other onboard electric modules and puts the entire control unit at risk.
Therefore, it’s crucial to carry out a diagnostic test to identify problems and address them timely. Most often, the ECU will require repairs and reprogramming, which will allow it to function effectively and help keep your semi truck engine running smoothly.
Partner up with a ECU service provider that you can trust to identify and fix potential problems in the ECU of your semi truck before they intensify and lead to other problems, so you can save money and enjoy peace of mind.
Looking for Heavy Duty Truck Repair? Get in touch with Fleet Advocate today, give us a call at (855)295-8350