What to do when your diesel truck breaks down

Whether your truck has been making funny noises for a few days or simply stops without warning, there’s nothing more frustrating than having to deal with a break down. It can be especially scary if the breakdown occurs on a busy road or freeway. Although diesel engines have a reputation for being long lasting and reliable, things can still go wrong and it’s important to be prepared.
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Today, we’ll be taking a look at what you need to do in the event of a breakdown.

What you need to do after a break down

• Breaking down on the freeway/highway – If you can feel that something is wrong with your vehicle on the freeway or highway, pull over into an emergency stopping lane as soon as possible to avoid breaking down in the middle of traffic. Pull over as far left as possible and put on your emergency light. Always exit from the left side of the vehicle and stand back from traffic. Never attempt repairs in the emergency lane, even a simple tyre change, as it’s just too dangerous.
  
• Breaking down on other roads – Try to find a safe spot, such as carpark or quiet side street, to pull over if you break down on the road and put your hazard lights on. If there is nowhere safe to wait, stay in your truck until help arrives.
  
• Give details of your location – This might seem obvious but a lot of people forget to check where they are before calling for help. Take a quick look at street signs and landmarks so you can give a clear indication of where you are so you can be found easily. Your phone GPS can also be very helpful in this situation.
  
• Call a mobile mechanic – If you’ve broken down, the best thing you can do is call a mobile truck mechanic to come and take a look. Don’t attempt repairs yourself as this can be dangerous and you could cause more damage.

Prevent break downs in the future

Although there are some situations where a break down is unavoidable, one of the best ways to ensure you have no sudden issues with your diesel truck is to make sure you have regular servicing on your engine from a qualified diesel mechanic. Your mechanic will be able to pick up on any potential problems so your engine is running at its best.

You can also do a little DIY to keep your engine well maintained at home through simple steps such as checking your oil and water and replacing your filters regularly.

At Diesel West Mechanical Services, we provide mobile servicing for your diesel vehicles and machinery throughout the Perth metro area. Just some of the services we offer include regular servicing, fault repair and diagnosis, oil sampling and replacements. Our qualified diesel mechanics have extensive experience with hydraulics and fluid power so you can be confident that your diesel engine is in safe hands.

For mobile servicing for your diesel engine, contact Diesel West Mechanical Services today on 0427 501 378.