Posted 2006-08-30 5:03 AM (#47616) Subject: My first Diesel
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
Howdy all I just bought my first F250 with a diesel in it. I'm sooooo impressed with the difference in towing. The tow command system is just wonderfull. What a difference. I have only towed my 16ft BP but can't wait to get my hitch installed so I can hook onto my 2H SL Exiss with LQ.....Any advice from the veterens out there?
Posted 2006-08-30 9:29 AM (#47627 - in reply to #47616) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
I keep mine in tow/haul mode whenever I am towing. It will not effect the RPMs that much as well nor the fuel mileage. I'm sure you will enjoy it as time goes on.
Posted 2006-08-30 9:42 AM (#47629 - in reply to #47616) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Pretty much the same advice you'd get for any car.
Watch the tire pressure, rotate the tires so they last.
These trucks are heavy and the tires don't last forever. With heavy towing, I'm lucky to get 28,000 to 30,000 miles per set of tires.
Change your oil every 5000 and follow the schedule for filters, tranny flushes etc.
The oil change places tell you change the oil every 3000. I think the manual says 7500 or 6000 miles for light duty. I sent a few oil samples into Blackstone labs and my oil seems to be doing great at 5000 miles. So thats when I change mine. If you run in a reallly dirty environment or have lots of idle time, you may want to change at 3000.
Other than that, just remember to lower your tailgate when you hook/unhook your GN
Posted 2006-08-30 6:32 PM (#47653 - in reply to #47616) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
Thanks everyone. I always did keep good maintenance on my gas engines. I will maintain this one no different. I know that the maint. will be a bit more. But in the long run I won't regret buying it....I was already shocked to find out how much more oil capicity it has over a gas engine....And 2 batteries! I think my eyes bugged out the first time I looked under the hood. I still want to dress it up a bit. I had horse graphics on the other one and everyone gave me comments on. I will post a pic when it's dressed up. Happy Trails
Posted 2006-08-30 7:09 PM (#47654 - in reply to #47616) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Veteran
Posts: 192 Location: Kentucky
I have one more thing. Don't put unleaded gas in it. I did it years ago when I was just using a diesel for a weekend. Thank goodness I thought about it just before I drove away from the pump. Also turn it off at bank or drive through windows. They can't hear you over the engine.
Posted 2006-08-31 10:16 AM (#47680 - in reply to #47616) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: La Crosse, WI - God's Country
I NEVER put mine in tow/haul! That's SO 1990.
Just kidding.
Most drivers let the RPM's and the demands on the engine dictate what gear they're in. For example, if I had 4.11's and was driving on flat/slightly downhill interstate, I doubt I could get over 65MPH - some trucks don't have that issue. I use tow/haul for the hills and when I'm keeping it under 60.
Just one driver's opinion. Nothing more than that.
Posted 2006-09-01 8:11 AM (#47712 - in reply to #47680) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I push the tow haul button everytime I hook up a trailer.
The newer tranny's really work well with loads. I can come down 7% grades and never touch my brakes.
With my 2000 truck I was turning the rotors every 35,000 miles because they were warping from the heat. I never had any brake maintanence on my 2003 truck in 90,000 miles and I expect the same out of my 2006 truck. The tranyy and engine are doing the braking now.
Posted 2006-09-01 11:37 AM (#47722 - in reply to #47616) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Member
Posts: 29
Ive been running DELO 400 engine oil in my diesel. Anyone have prefrences on oil brands? 5000 miles seems to be about right. On the new Chevy's they have an engine oil life indicator, and I never let mine drop below 30%.
Is it extreemly bad to switch oil brands? I'm about to hit 30,000 miles on mine, and the truck is ready for transmission fluid flush etc. Wanna take it into the shop for oil/tranny, but i've always changed the oil my self, and I'm sure the guys at GM will wanna use their 'own' oil brand.
Posted 2006-09-02 5:56 PM (#47755 - in reply to #47616) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
Thanks again for all the advice. I do like that tow/haul mode. I'm trying to listen and get use to the diesel sounds, Going from gas to diesel has been fun so far...Just can't wait to get my hitch in it so I can tow my big trailer....Yes I know all about replacing rotors and brakes. What is the average around town mileage with the 6.0. This last tank 29gal I pulled 14mpg. Is that a norm? I did pull my 16ft stock trailer about 25 miles out of that tank.
Posted 2006-09-03 9:13 PM (#47815 - in reply to #47722) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671 Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
Delo is a great oil I have used it for years.I used the synthetic delo 5w40 in my last diesel,after it was broke in and gained about 2 mpg.When my new Ford is broke in I will switch to synthetic again.
There is a synthetic transmission oil put out by Allison but alot of Gm dealers won't put it in so you have to go to allison for it.
Diesels are fun,you could always take oil in with you for the service.
Posted 2006-09-05 7:05 AM (#47864 - in reply to #47616) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Veteran
Posts: 192 Location: Kentucky
I went to Big South Fork in Tennessee over Labor Day and borrowed my husband's Ford diesel to pull my trailer. I tried the haul mode on the mountainous roads and going down the motor would race. It worried me and I didn't use it again. Someone said it was because I used the brakes also, any advice? Other then that, the truck pulled great!!!
Posted 2006-09-05 5:59 PM (#47910 - in reply to #47864) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
One thing no one mentioned is if you are on the road pulling a substantial load and need to stop at a rest area, leave it running at least 5 min before you shut it down. This gives the Turbo time to cool. If you come in and shut it down imediatly you can fry the turbo and they aren't cheap. a friend of mine did this and it wasn't cheap. I just keep an extra ignition key with me and lock it up and leave it running. good luck you will love it.
Posted 2006-09-09 10:48 PM (#48206 - in reply to #47616) Subject: RE: My first Diesel
Veteran
Posts: 192 Location: Kentucky
I had borrowed my husband's Ford Diesel over Labor Day to pull a heavier trailer that I just purchased.I think my '95 250 Ford is too small to pull the trailer. Now , I am looking for an older Diesel for me to buy to pull it with. Is there a difference between a Dodge and Ford Diesel? I saw a Dodge today in the lot in town.
My first Diesel
I just bought my first F250 with a diesel in it.
I'm sooooo impressed with the difference in towing. The tow command system is just wonderfull. What a difference. I have only towed my 16ft BP but can't wait to get my hitch installed so I can hook onto my 2H SL Exiss with LQ.....Any advice from the veterens out there? 
the first time I looked under the hood. I still want to dress it up a bit. I had horse graphics on the other one and everyone gave me comments on. I will post a pic when it's dressed up. Happy Trails
nutin but 