Diesel trucks come in all shapes, sizes, and brands, though Cummins brand trucks have a special contingent of fans. They’re popular for their size, strength, and performance, bringing plenty of power, torque, and other positive aspects. Just like any vehicle, Cummins trucks require periodic inspections and maintenance to keep on keeping on. How often should you get your Cummins truck inspected? Here are a few good rules of thumb.

How Different Are Diesels from Gas-Powered Engines?

The short answer is very different. The ignition process is dissimilar, for one thing. While gasoline-powered trucks ignite gas with spark plugs, diesel engines use compression to ignite diesel fuel. As for consistency, diesel is slightly oilier than gasoline, which is more refined. As a result, diesel engines can face a greater buildup of debris generated by combustion. Unless you drive your diesel vehicle often, debris can continue to accumulate and put greater strain on the engine.

It’s wise to be consistent and frequent in your inspections. As a side note, for any brand of truck, be sure to find a reputable and knowledgeable mechanic to perform the inspections, repairs, or maintenance.

The First Inspection

Beyond the cursory inspection for your new truck, you can wait until you’ve hit 5,000 miles. That should be enough time for the truck to have experienced most of the challenges and vagaries of the road. A 5,000-mile inspection will let the mechanic see if any issues have manifested themselves as well as potential problems to look out for in the future. Otherwise, there shouldn’t be too many things to worry about at this point!

Standard Inspections

Beyond regular maintenance, repairs, and replacements that may crop up, your Cummins truck should get regular inspections once a year, or every 15,000 miles. This will ensure your truck is running well and will ensure the most critical systems are operating beautifully. Systems of particular interest include the engine (looking for leaks, fluid levels, and damage), transmission, brakes (for obvious reasons), electrical systems (inspecting the lighting, indicators, and battery’s charge), and tires and suspension.

Heavy Use Inspections

If your truck is a working vehicle, it may need more inspections in between the ones we just mentioned. If you use it to tow and haul heavy cargo or drive it through challenging weather conditions, increase the frequency of inspections and watch out for glitches, breakdowns, and more. Do this every 10,000 miles or so. For Cummins engines, consult the owner’s manual or do a little online research about maintenance. Cummins fans will surely share their opinions and experiences with you, so get involved with other truck owners. Finally, double-check with your mechanic that you’re doing everything you can to keep your truck in good condition.

Now you know how often to get your Cummins truck inspected. For more information on 5.9 Cummins crate engines, contact us today!