Preparing Your Diesel Vehicle for Spring

Diesel Mechanics’ Tips for Avoiding Costly Auto Repair

A few months back you doubtlessly did your best to winterize your diesel vehicle—and for good reason! Winter driving conditions can be incredibly harsh on a vehicle, and it’s best to be prepared if you don’t want to accrue a large and entirely avoidable auto repair bill.

But now that spring is returning and the region is seeing temperatures as high as 10°C, have you given any thought to preparing your vehicle for the spring? This often-overlooked but equally-important task could ensure that your vehicle continues to operate as smoothly as possible all year round.

The Basics

You don’t have to be a professional diesel mechanic to know that you should take off your winter tires once it starts getting warmer. The rubber they’re made from is meant to provide traction in extremely low temperatures. But they won’t have the right grip on the roads in warmer conditions and will wear out quickly. Other standard checks such as air filters, oil filters, and fluid levels are also a given that most people will check—but it still bears repeating for anyone who might forget!

The Battery

When winter began, you (hopefully) checked your battery to see if it would last through the winter. The last thing you want on a freezing day is to be stuck and unable to start, after all. It’s just as important to check after the winter to see how well it has survived. Since it will have been operating under incredibly severe conditions, it may tend to drain more quickly in the winter, so make sure you replace it if necessary.

The Air Conditioner

Be sure to run your air conditioner early on, whether you need it or not, to see if it’s working. Trust us, you’ll be a lot happier down the line when it’s 30°C out and you don’t need to stop by the auto repair shop to fix your AC.

Transmission

Driving through snow, ice, sleet, and more is a great recipe for wearing out your transmission, especially if you’re operating a plow or towing any kind of heavy cargo. Most diesel mechanics recommend you check your transmission fluid early in the spring, and make sure that everything is working as intended.

The Rest

In truth, this is just the surface—your truck is a huge interconnected system, and winter conditions can affect everything from glow plugs and grid heaters to axle joints and hubs. Your best bet for ideal performance is to visit a qualified diesel mechanic to perform an inspection, a tune-up, and any necessary auto repairs.