New Deisel Owner

[Featherman]

Just bought my first deisel and am wondering what info can be shared by the group to a novice. I do some city driving and am wondering if this can cause harm to the engine. This actually stopped me from buying a deisel last year.



It's an '04 3500... ... . Quad cab... ...



Looking for guidance.



Thank you.



Ron

 

[csevers]

Welcome to the TDR

In cold climates let it run and warm up a little before whaling on it. Let it idle for a while after a hard pull or long drive. Only buy good quality diesel, Read the owners manual then start reading here, there is a lot of info here. It would be a little easier to answer a specific question if you have any.



You really don't need a lot of guidance you made the biggest/right decision already... lol



Have fun

Craig

 

[johncameron]

drive it like you stole it!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Joe G.]

Whatever you do, don't baby it!!!

 

[Loren]

Ron,



There is very little you can do that will harm this engine.



Perform the maintenance listed in the manual. Don't allow the engine to idle for extended periods (I take this to mean half an hour or more). Try to find something to tow so you can break the engine in. It will not even work up a sweat pulling the empty truck around.



You'll find lots to read on these forums.



Welcome,

Loren

 

[CajunDieselMan]

WELCOME TO TDR, RON!



I own an '04 3500 SRW, my second diesel. Two things--you'll like it more and more as it ages (a relative term for diesels) and you'll never want to drive anything else but a diesel.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Don't sweat the short commute runs - just do as you would any quality engine, let it get fully up to operating temp if at all possible on those runs - diesels are used by the vast majority of European owners, in all the same circumstances we use gassers here - so no reason to be nervous about the diesel aspect. The cummins IS a large chunk of iron - so it takes longer for it to fully heat up. Welcome to Cummins quality, this group - and what is sure to be a delightful new RVing experience!