traveller09
Active Member
So this will be my first Diesel. I have a little experience with them in the Marines (Tanks, AAV, HUMVEE) but no personal vehicle experience. I have always wanted one, and this purchase is definitely a want not a need. This will be a daily driver, but since Covid we have both become virtual workers so there isn’t much weekday driving. We do plan to use this vehicle for long road trips, camping and eventually we may get a small trailer to tow.
Over the last couple of years I have poured over this forum trying to learn as much as I can about RAM’s in general and lately more specifically about diesels.
I keep reading about the added expense and effort to maintain a diesel. I really want to start off on the right foot with this truck and would appreciate your feedback from seasoned diesel owners.
1. I live in the Seattle area and we don’t have much extreme weather but what special actions if any do I need to do for really cold weather (I did order with cold weather package just to have it)? What about extreme heat (I do make road trips to my parents in Phoenix along with other road trips)?
2. Fuel additives: Should I use them? If so what is the preferred brand and frequency (every fill up?)?
3. Warm up: How long should I warm up the truck before driving it? I am assuming it isn’t that delicate that I can’t start it up and go under normal outside temperatures.
4. Idle: In general good idea or bad. For example, if I am on a road trip and we pull into a rest area and it is really hot (desert) or vice versa winter (cold and snowy), should I let it idle or not? If my wife goes into the grocery store or god forbid HomeGoods and the dog and I are sitting in the truck for a while is it ok to let it idle so we can enjoy the heat or AC? Any general rules you guys follow related to idle?
5. Fuel Brands: I am guessing the answer is no since it is diesel fuel but do you guys have a preferred brand? I ask because for my Mercedes and Porsche I only use Chevron. I have had multiple Mercedes, BMW, etc. service managers tell me to only use Chevron. I have also talked to a few Porsche mechanics that have told me “I tear apart engines every day and I can tell you who is using Chevron and who isn’t”. So I have been religious about using Chevron, and knock on wood I have never had engine/fuel problems in any vehicle, whether that has anything to do with the fuel or not I have no idea but I am not changing now.
6.Def Fluid Brand: Any preference?
7. Oil: I assume, at least while under warranty, people are using RAM recommended oil? I plan, at least for the first few, to have the dealer perform the oil change but I would like to carry some in the truck in case I ever run low.
8. Break in period: Any special instructions here?
9. Preventive Maintenance: Any day to day, week to week, monthly PM I should perform?
10. Toolkit: I am building a small toolkit for the truck. Are there any diesel unique items I should carry in the truck? Belts, fuses, etc?
11. Misc:
Feel free to add anything I am overlooking. Like I said I really want to start off on the right foot with this truck by doing all the right things. I am sure I am completely over thinking this, but I do that.
I am a novice with diesels and I sincerely appreciate your thoughts and feedback.
Thanks
Over the last couple of years I have poured over this forum trying to learn as much as I can about RAM’s in general and lately more specifically about diesels.
I keep reading about the added expense and effort to maintain a diesel. I really want to start off on the right foot with this truck and would appreciate your feedback from seasoned diesel owners.
1. I live in the Seattle area and we don’t have much extreme weather but what special actions if any do I need to do for really cold weather (I did order with cold weather package just to have it)? What about extreme heat (I do make road trips to my parents in Phoenix along with other road trips)?
2. Fuel additives: Should I use them? If so what is the preferred brand and frequency (every fill up?)?
3. Warm up: How long should I warm up the truck before driving it? I am assuming it isn’t that delicate that I can’t start it up and go under normal outside temperatures.
4. Idle: In general good idea or bad. For example, if I am on a road trip and we pull into a rest area and it is really hot (desert) or vice versa winter (cold and snowy), should I let it idle or not? If my wife goes into the grocery store or god forbid HomeGoods and the dog and I are sitting in the truck for a while is it ok to let it idle so we can enjoy the heat or AC? Any general rules you guys follow related to idle?
5. Fuel Brands: I am guessing the answer is no since it is diesel fuel but do you guys have a preferred brand? I ask because for my Mercedes and Porsche I only use Chevron. I have had multiple Mercedes, BMW, etc. service managers tell me to only use Chevron. I have also talked to a few Porsche mechanics that have told me “I tear apart engines every day and I can tell you who is using Chevron and who isn’t”. So I have been religious about using Chevron, and knock on wood I have never had engine/fuel problems in any vehicle, whether that has anything to do with the fuel or not I have no idea but I am not changing now.
6.Def Fluid Brand: Any preference?
7. Oil: I assume, at least while under warranty, people are using RAM recommended oil? I plan, at least for the first few, to have the dealer perform the oil change but I would like to carry some in the truck in case I ever run low.
8. Break in period: Any special instructions here?
9. Preventive Maintenance: Any day to day, week to week, monthly PM I should perform?
10. Toolkit: I am building a small toolkit for the truck. Are there any diesel unique items I should carry in the truck? Belts, fuses, etc?
11. Misc:
Feel free to add anything I am overlooking. Like I said I really want to start off on the right foot with this truck by doing all the right things. I am sure I am completely over thinking this, but I do that.
I am a novice with diesels and I sincerely appreciate your thoughts and feedback.
Thanks