I put about 5k/yr on my 454 suburban and expect to do about the same with the new diesel. Of couse it will be fun to drive the new truck so it could increase somewhat. Is there any issue with letting it sit for a month at a time? I know squat about diesel fuel except that we run the red stuff in standby generators that exercise weekly and have had no fuel problems. Is there an additive I need to add, especially in winter months (it'll be in my shop), to prevent ill effects? Anything else I need to be aware of?

Thanks

A couple of things. 1. If you're going to let it set for a while, be sure to take it out and run it for a while at normal operating temps to evaporate any condensation in the oil or exhaust before you park it. 2. I always run Stanadyne perfomance formula, especially in the winter to help with water separation in the fuel. Also, I would not recommend running the red fuel in your truck, not that it is not good, but it's against the law, and you run the risk of getting caught and fined for doing so. Tips for good fuel are to fill up at a place that sells a LOT of diesel fuel, pereferably a truck stop, if one is near by, so that you can rest assured that it is fresh fuel, and hasn't been sitting in the ground taking on condensation and other nasty stuff. Change your fuel filter more often than the 10k interval that GM recommends...I do mine at 7500. Other than that, get a cool drink and do some reading here on the Diesel Place...more information here than you could ever care to have!

Good luck and happy trucking!

Is Stanadyne just an additve? What's it do? Readily available? Expensive? Do you use it at every fillup or just in the winter? Is it similar to StayBil for gas engines?

I wasn't thinking of using the red; it's just the only diesel I have any experience with.

Good tips on where to fill up. I've already read the 'how-to' on changing the fuel filter. Looks straightforward enough. Better than pulling fender for sure.

Thanks.

with sitting fuel use treatment with biocide to keep down bugs, may want to consider battery maintainer (trickle charger) as radio and computers use power all the time, or you can run engine weekly. more important as batteries get older. agree with Bartman also don't like those trip surprises. enjoy

Keep tank full to help prevent moisture condensation.

I run a Cetane boose, that also inhibits Microbal growth in the fuel.... I haven't been driving my D max but maybe every two weeks...
I try yo keep it pretty full on fuel...

The company truck goes away next week, so the Dmax will be the daily driver...

Can not emphasize Battery State/Condition enough.

High compression engine, glow plugs, intake heater, for each Start Cycle. Without a Deep Cycle Battery there is not all that much left over for the computers.

Old rule of thumb: 10 miles driven to charge battery after one start cycle; and the start cycles are accumlative discharge wihtout a complete Recharge, thats without glow plugs/intake heater.

MHO.

Good Luck.

Idahofox

Right on. Full fuel tank for sure and battery up to par. I'm used to maintaining my muscle car in the winter months but needed to know specifics on diesel. Good stuff as usual. And I'm certainly not up to speed on all the computer controls involved in the new stuff so that's good info. Heck, I'm used to bailing wire and a metric crescent wrench will fix anything.

One week to go and I should have my truck. Getting pumped. Gonna plug in the Sirius and drive the Big Hole and Salmon Rivers coming home. I might drown a Panther Martin on the way home and bring home some cold water Brookies to tease me for what's to come in camp in two weeks. It don't get much better than that.

Have fun Gary

Idahofox