Quality car care Archives -

January 29 2022

Top 10 Diesel Truck Maintenance Tips

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You will undoubtedly put plenty of miles on your diesel truck over the years, and this could lead to extensive wear and tear. As is the case with all types of quality car care, your diesel truck may benefit from a range of regular maintenance services over the years. Through maintenance efforts, you could optimize the life of your truck and its performance capabilities. What are some essential steps for proper truck maintenance?

1. Change the Oil Regularly

Oil changes Fort Wayne provide your diesel truck with essential lubrication. This lubrication could reduce the likelihood of the engine overheating. It could also prevent unnecessary wear and clear out the filth from the inner workings of the engine compartment. Oil changes Fort Wayne are typically completed in conjunction with an oil filter replacement.

2. Monitor the Coolant Level

The coolant in your diesel truck should ideally be replaced every 30,000 miles. However, leaks and other issues could cause the fluid level to decline rapidly. Because of this, an important aspect of truck maintenance Fort Wayne is to check the coolant level approximately every six months.

3. Replace the Air Filter

Your diesel truck engine requires an ample supply of clean air to function properly. When the engine’s air filter is filthy, the engine cannot get the air that it needs. This may result in increased fuel consumption, reduced power or both. It also may lead to excessive engine wear. Engine air filters may need to be replaced every 12,000 miles in diesel trucks.

4. Check the Gaskets

Periodically, your experienced mechanic should check the engine gaskets for signs of wear or damage. Blown diesel head gaskets could contribute to the loss of coolant, poor engine performance, overheating and other issues. Ideally, this important service may need to be completed each time your diesel truck is in the shop for maintenance work.

5. Use a Diesel Gas Treatment

Just as you may use a fuel additive for your car, your diesel truck may benefit from a special additive as well. Specifically, a diesel gas treatment could clean the engine’s inner workings to promote optimized performance. This could improve fuel economy, power output and more.

6. Replace the Fuel Filter

While a diesel gas additive could remove dust and debris from the engine, it is important to prevent as much debris as possible from entering the engine compartment in the first place. Your truck’s fuel filter captures debris and prevents it from reaching the engine cylinders. By doing so, this step may prevent unnecessary engine repairs and may promote the engine’s optimized longevity.

7. Service the Transmission

Your diesel truck requires a healthy supply of clean transmission fluid. This fluid should ideally be replaced every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Often, the transfer case and fluid are easy to overlook, but they are an essential aspect of property truck maintenance Fort Wayne.

8. Maintain the Tires

Your truck’s tires require regular attention as well. The tires should be rotated periodically, and the air pressure should be checked. These efforts could prevent premature wear and help the truck to function safely on the road. When the tread is low, the tires should be replaced.

9. Clean the Engine

The engine compartment of your diesel truck may require cleaning periodically. This step may require the use of a degreasing agent, a soft bristle brush and plenty of hard work. Your mechanic can make light work of this important and intensive task.

10. Check the Hoses and Belts

Belts tend to become weak and loose over time, and they may eventually break. When this happens, the truck will not be able to perform properly. The best time to identify an issue with the hoses and belts is before they have completely stopped functioning, so a regular inspection is in order.

Kruse Automotive is your source for quality car care and truck maintenance work in Fort Wayne. Our technicians at Kruse Automotive are available to address all of your diesel truck’s current maintenance needs. To schedule an appointment with our truck mechanics, call the office today.

January 15 2022

10 Basic Tips for Truck Maintenance in Fort Wayne, Indiana

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Truck maintenance in Fort Wayne is an essential responsibility regardless of the make and model that you drive. Following truck maintenance tips and recommendations on time prevents unnecessary breakdowns and keeps you and others safer on the road. If you are looking for a knowledgeable and trustworthy expert in truck maintenance in Fort Wayne look no further than Kruse Automotive

1. Change the Oil

Oil changes serve the vital purpose of ensuring that the hardworking parts in your truck’s engine are properly lubricated. When oil is old and sludgy, excessive wear and heat can take a toll on the engine and result in a serious breakdown.

2. Rotate the Tires

Your tires require your attention as well. This important aspect of truck maintenance ensures that wear on the tires is even. It promotes the longevity of your tires and can help you to maintain great traction on the road.

3. Service the Brakes

If your last brake inspection was more than a few months ago, the time to schedule an inspection is today. Brakes will often show signs that the pads are wearing out, and these signs include slower stopping times, squealing, grinding and more. However, it is easy to overlook these and other signs. A brake inspection is a surefire way to learn about your brakes’ remaining life.

4. Replace the Wiper Blades

Streaks impair the visibility of the road in front of you. As wiper blades wear out or become damaged with use, they cannot wick away moisture as easily. This is a relatively affordable, easy service to complete, and it serves the vital function of promoting full visibility for the safe operation of your truck.

5. Change the Filters

From the AC system’s air filter to the oil filter and more, the filters in your vehicle will become filthy with regular use. When they are dirty, they are less effective at filtering out particles. As a result, the functionality and efficiency of various systems will be impaired. During your truck’s next maintenance service, ensure that the filters are inspected and replaced as needed.

6. Inspect the Suspension System

This is one aspect of quality car care that is easy to overlook. However, the condition of the suspension system can impact wear on other parts, and it plays a role in safety behind the wheel. Generally, the shocks, struts and springs throughout the truck should all be replaced at the same time when the need arises.

7. Replace the Spark Plugs

Your truck’s spark plugs play a crucial role in the functionality of the engine. Generally, you should check the spark plugs at the first sign of engine trouble. Because spark plugs will wear out at the end of their useful life, it makes sense to replace them as they age and before they fully wear out.

8. Change the Coolant

Did you know that your truck’s coolant impacts the water pump, the radiator and the heating and cooling system? The quality of engine coolant will decline over time. Simply changing the coolant on a regular basis as part of your truck maintenance efforts will help you to avoid under-the-hood corrosion and to stay comfortable in the cabin.

9. Clean the Battery Terminals

Over time, corrosion around the battery terminals will develop. It looks like a flaky, white or bluish substance in most cases. As the corrosion builds, the substance impacts the connection between the battery and the truck. Eventually, the battery will no longer be able to provide power to the truck. The best way to address this problem is to check the battery terminals for corrosion twice per year.

10. Replace Worn Hoses and Belts

Belts and hoses under your truck’s hood play crucial roles in operations. They also impact wear on other vital parts and can lead to serious repair issues if they are not replaced as needed. During your next truck maintenance service, request an inspection of the radiator hose, the serpentine belt, the timing belt, the radiator hose and other vital components.

The mechanics at Kruse Automotive are available to tackle everything from oil changes Fort Wayne to tire replacements, hose replacements and more. By bringing your truck into the service shop at regular intervals, you can conveniently stay on top of its maintenance needs. This can prevent a breakdown and help you to avoid expensive repair issues. Schedule your truck’s next service by calling Kruse Automotive today.

December 4 2021

What Kind of Oil Should You Use for an Oil Change in Fort Wayne IN

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One of the most important steps in quality car and truck maintenance in Fort Wayne is to schedule a regular oil change. The purpose of motor oil is to lubricate the vehicle’s hardworking mechanical parts. Friction and heat are created when the engine runs, and these forces could ultimately cause serious damage.

With four main types of engine oil to choose from, you may understandably be baffled by what oil to pick. The reality is that the type of motor oil used could directly impact everything from the car’s performance to its longevity and more. With this in mind, what type of motor oil should you choose?

Conventional Oil

Conventional motor oil is generally the most affordable option, and it has almost universal purposes. It is among the most common types of engine oil used in local service centers today. Why would you choose this oil over the other options? This could be the best option for your engine if your vehicle has a simple engine design and if the odometer reading shows low to mid-level mileage. Generally, conventional oil is best for late-model, light-duty vehicles. With this in mind, conventional oil may be so popular among local drivers because many vehicles on the road may meet these criteria. Nonetheless, conventional oil may not be the best option for all drivers.

Full Synthetic Oil

While drivers may understandably want to keep the cost of oil change in Fort Wayne as low as possible, they also may want to enjoy optimal performance from their engine. Full synthetic oil can cost twice as much as conventional oil or more. The oil may offer superior lubrication properties, enhance fuel economy, and optimize horsepower for the higher price. Notably, it may be the best option for high-performance vehicles, such as sports cars. It is a smart option for powerful trucks that do hauling and towing. Because of its properties, full synthetic oil may hold up better in extremely hot and cold temperatures. Even older engines may benefit from full synthetic oil because it may reduce the likelihood of thick build-up in the engine.

Synthetic Blend Oil

You may see that conventional and full synthetic oil each have their unique set of advantages. Synthetic blend motor oil may strike a happy balance between the two options. While it may be more expensive than conventional oil, its price may be significantly lower than full synthetic oil. Its synthetic properties may stem from special additives that are resistant to oxidation and perform well in cold temperatures. Some drivers could choose a synthetic blend oil when they are transitioning from conventional oil for a newer car to full synthetic oil as their engine ages.

High Mileage Oil

If your car has more than 75,000 miles, a high mileage oil may be right for it. This special type of oil specifically combats many of the engine troubles of older vehicles. For example, it may reduce the likelihood of oil leaks. It could also reduce oil consumption by the engine. Through its use, the production of smoke and emissions could also be reduced.

Kruse Automotive is a preferred source for quality car care in Fort Wayne. Their techs may be available to start working on your car soon. Schedule your vehicle’s next service by calling their office directly for oil change in Fort Wayne and all other automotive needs.

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