Emma Radebaugh Diesel engines provide power, torque, and hauling ability when you need it. The place you need it most is in the middle of a hunt, far from mechanics and gas stations. If you take care of your engine, it’ll take care of you on any excursion, whether you’re hunting game in the forest or bargains at the local mall. Here are four tips and tricks for improving diesel engine performance.
Schedule Maintenance
If you want to ensure your truck gives as good as it gets, make sure it’s ready to handle anything. Bring it in for an oil and filter change every 3,000–6,000 miles; check the owner’s manual to confirm that range. Top off all the fluids, from the transmission to the windshield wipers, and replace the air filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Every 20,000–150,000 miles, you should replace the fuel filter; again, the timeframe depends on the model. Overall, keeping things clean and updated guarantees the engine stays free from greasy buildup and performance-destroying debris. It also adds years to the life of the vehicle!
Upgrade the Air Intake and Exhaust
You’ll hear about all sorts of devices and doohickeys you can attach to your diesel engine that enhance performance. Some diesel engine aficionados suggest adding a cold-air intake to a turbocharged engine, for example. Where performance is concerned, you can’t go wrong by updating your air intake and exhaust systems!
Air intake systems bring more cool air into an engine, which means more oxygen combines with the fuel, creating greater and more efficient combustion. Likewise, a larger exhaust system diminishes pressure on the engine and allows the exhaust gases to escape easily. In turn, the vehicle delivers more horsepower and torque and better mileage.
Check the Tires
Don’t ignore your tires! Everything is riding on them, and they face more potential and immediate damage than the rest of the vehicle. Keep them at the pressure stated in the owner’s manual. Also, watch for wear and tear, and don’t subject them to unnecessary strain and damage, no matter where the hunt takes you. Consider upgrading to all-terrain tires so there are no surprises on dusty trails, muddy passes, or rocky stretches of road.
Don’t Push It!
Here’s the last of our four tips and tricks for improving diesel engine performance. When you have all that power in your hands, you likely want to push your truck’s limits. Sometimes, that’s necessary, but most of the time it’s not. Respect your vehicle’s limits. Trying to tow or haul too much weight strains and stresses the engine and truck’s body, shaving years off its useful life. Don’t overload the bed or other parts, either! Equalize weight distribution, and you’ll notice a difference in performance as well as fuel consumption.
