Newbie to the wonderful world of diesels

I just purchased my first diesel powered truck and I'm seeking any tips or dos/don'ts. Such as-How long do I need to let the truck idle to cool down the turbo before shutting down? Any other helpful info would be appreciated. Specs: 2014 Laramie Longhorn 4X4 crew cab, 88k miles, 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel, 6-speed automatic transmission.

Do enjoy your truck

Don’t drive in 4x4 unless you need it. It’s more wear and tear then you need.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Um ... maybe explain that tip a little more..

Ratket said:

Um ... maybe explain that tip a little more..

Click to expand...

Look at it this way. The more you use it the faster it will break. When transfer case is engaged then you will have all the gear will be working. Same goes with your front differential as well. Yes it is spinning while driving but you will not have that extra power going to it which will cause wear and tear.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Plus you will get better fuel mileage


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

someone with more diesel experience should chime
In shortly,
Don’t ever let it run out of fuel-
Try and carry some deff fluid with you at all times if it’s not available at ur pumps.
Check to see if the water pump recall has been performed along with all other recalls. Is it lvled or lifted? Is it deleted? Show us some pics and Gratz.

Also you can use the 4x4 just like any other 4x4 vehicle, just remember now you have the torque to destroy driveline parts lol

If your out of warranty I wouldn't wait too long to delete it. You'll gain a lot of power depending on the tune you go with and your fuel mileage will go up exponentially. Not to mention most breakdowns on newer diesels are because of the emissions garbage.

Learn to change the oil and filters yourself. Can save you as much as $200+ bucks vs. the dealer. Good tip on not letting it run out of fuel, I'd even go as far to say don't let it run even very low on fuel. This may actually not be as a big of a deal with modern diesels, but I'd still just make sure to fill it up soon enough.

From a Non-Diesel owner POV please don't give in to the Black Plume crap. Seriously everyone around you wont be impressed and even hate you. I like to not breathe in a cloud of smoke lol. Otherwise congrats! I wish I had one but still love my Hemi .

Congrats! I found on my 04 3500, the ball joints were the weak spot. Replaced every 60000 miles. So keep an on yours..

I was a diesel owner for 20 years. let me second a few of the previous comments..
Diesels are efficient and good for the environment--don't ruin them by blowing black smoke everywhere. It really annoys people. It is also unburnt fuel--fuel you paid for--paid taxes on--and then wasted by dumping it into the atmosphere. ( blowing black smoke is only acceptable for certain BMW-drivers......who richly deserve it)
Change you own oil and filters--buy filters on line
NEVER run out of fuel--re-priming a diesel is much more of a deal than with a gas engine--you don't want to learn any more about it.
Learn what you need to know about coolant----at least with Ford Diesels--ignorance by early owners led to cavitation issues--I have not heard that Cummins has any such problems, but be aware if you need to check anything besides the freeze -point of the coolant.
Watch you exhaust gas temperatures. Anything you do that produces more power will raise EGT--and they can approach the melting point of the aluminum in the pistons. As long as you do not modify the fuel system you are probably OK...
Enjoy being able to tow almost anything you see.

pilgrim6 said:

NEVER run out of fuel--re-priming a diesel is much more of a deal than with a gas engine--you don't want to learn any more about it.

Click to expand...

Diesels aren’t like that anymore. With the 6.7 Cummins, after changing the fuel filters or running out of fuel, all you do is cycle the key to the on position a few times before starting, and it fires right up.

Jimmy07 said:

Diesels aren’t like that anymore. With the 6.7 Cummins, after changing the fuel filters or running out of fuel, all you do is cycle the key to the on position a few times before starting, and it fires right up.

Click to expand...

No worries about over-heating the starter?

pilgrim6 said:

No worries about over-heating the starter?

Click to expand...

No, you’re not engaging the starter. By cycle to on, I mean the position right before you would crank the engine. This activates the lift pump for 10-15 seconds. Repeat 4-5 times, THEN start it right up

Ratket said:

Also you can use the 4x4 just like any other 4x4 vehicle, just remember now you have the torque to destroy driveline parts lol

Click to expand...

Another way of saying what I was trying to say.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for all of the valuable tips. One question I have is, Ratket and tidefan1967 both posted comments about "has it been deleted" What do you mean?

That means have you thought about removing/deleting the DPF and EGR pollution garbage. If you live in an area without a state inspection its possible to remove the DPF and the EGR and save a lot of money on fuel and pick up some extra power in the process. As your diesel gets more miles on it you will eventually have some major problems with the pollution systems and have to spend major dollars on repairs. A properly tuned adult driven diesel truck does not have to be a "coal roller" unless you want to be. 99% of the problems that people have with diesels are due to problems with the emissions systems. I would at least look into some emissions friendly tunes at the very least although I don't know too much about them. I pretty much quit the diesel scene completely because its not worth the hassle anymore and gassers require little maintenance in that department.

I never had a Cummins 6.7l but i the last 30 years i almost ever owned and drove where diesel 4x4 cars and trucks.
Basically there are not a lot of differences to a gas engine or most of the hints are valid also for gas engines:
- Diesel engines hate high RPM, you have more than plenty torque so use your automatic transmission to handle shift points
- If it can get below freezing point you need winterdiesel or add winter diesel additive to avoid that the diesel becomes gel
- Some diesel engine cleaning additives "may" be benificial, i use a bottle every 6 month after "winterizing"
- Diesel engines pollute the engine oil much more than gas engines, a frequent oil and filter change using quality products
- You may buy bulk quality truck engine engine oil like and change it more frequently instead of wasting money using boutique oil
- Use the correct glow plug preheat time before you crank the engine and make sure all plugs are working
- Diesel engines need longer time to heat up thru the colder combustion,
- Against the oldfashioned believe; ideling to warm up the engine is wrong and lead to more wear.
Crank, wait a minute and drive with low rpm a few blocks till the coolant reaches operating temperature
- I never deleted anything on my engines neither pimped it to get more power. You have plenty of power, just use your truck as a truck and not as a sport car (who it never will be)
- If you wanna keep you truck as long as possible just leav it as he is, the Cummins 6.7l is a excellent, sturdy engine.
- never use 4x4 on dry or wet, paved roads, use 4x4H or 4x4L only on unpaved surface and also only if necessary.
- If it's raining inserting 4x4 on a paved road is not necessary, moderate your speed is more beneficial
- Insert 4x4 BEFORE you get stuck, once stopped you may have problems to get in motion again.
- Take your truck every now and then on a unpaved road and insert 4x4 high and low to use it for a few miles to have all things turning and working
Chris

Thanks Chris (CostaRam) I like your sage advice.
"2011 RAM 1500 Sport 5.7l HEMI 35tm (mint)" soon to be rusting away ;-)