Diesel newb here. I have had an 06 PSD for about a month now. Of course studying the 6.0L on this forum has scared the ***** out of me...to say the least. Guess I should've done more research BEFORE buying the truck. Anyways, I was wondering what I should add to my normal driving habits to help make this truck last as long as possible (just under 60K now). I will be driving mainly freeway to work and back, no load, around 65-70 mph. I tow about 6-8K lbs about 10 times a year over estimated 3000 miles. Figure I'll be putting 10-12K miles per year. I ask because I've read the 6.0 needs to be run hard every once in awhile. Is it as easy as me opening it up on the freeway once a week? Daily travel is only about 20 miles each way to work. Thanks for input.

Off subject question: I noticed coolant level low, can I mix Zerex with what's in there now? Assuming its Gold.

 

Do not mix anything with the Gold.

 

We were all newbies at some point; but with that said...don't be scared of the motor from a maintenance standpoint. Unless it's got some serous issues (puking or oil in the coolant, sobering oil everywhere, low fuel pressure)...you'll be alright. Just keep up with the PM and use the right filters & fuilds.I do this to my truck once a month.. But every other week after you've got the engine good & warmed up (at the end of your 20 mile commute home wouldn't be a bad idea) romp down on the skinny pedal a couple of times to clear the carbon out of the exhaust. The first time or two you may notice allot of black smoke out the back...it should clear up after the 2nd or 3rd time. Usually takes me 2-3 to clear it up...mostly (it's a diesel, it'll never be clear). To me, the biggest thing is let the engine get up to operating temp before you work it harder than just easy rolling down the road.I put Ford Gold into mine...I get it at my local Bumper-to-Bumper affiliated "mom & pop" parts house. It's been a while since I priced it...but seems like it was $2-$3 cheaper a gallon. Some guys on here will say ditch the Ford Gold and go with an Extended Life Coolant (ELC)..and I agree there's a valid point with that line of thinking. I just run a 98% stock truck and I don't get wild with it...just do my PM on time and drive it dang near everyday. If it's good enough for Ford, it's good enough for me. I just do my PM sooner than FoMoCo recommends....

Oil every 5k miles
Fuel filters every 10k miles
Transmission filter (external) & fluid every 30k miles
Coolant near 50k miles...I believe is the recommended time frame

 

Don't rely on the factory gauges for temps or oil pressure. They only indicate none-ok-too high. There's no substitute for seeing the real numbers to know how YOUR truck operates and when something is starting to go wrong. Not a pegged meter after it's too late. (wow I coulda said that better hope it makes at least some sense)

 

Is it below the minimum line? About how far below?

Mine runs about a half inch below minimum.

The minimum is the new full mark.

Wasn't sure if you knew or not. Or if your truck has the little sticker or not.

 

I didn't know that. With cold truck, I can't see coolant in reservoir. I keep forgetting to check it when it's warm. I plan to do all the maintenance even though the guy I bought it from said he did. I've just been reading about all the crap I should do in addition to flushing the system, and wondering how much is really necessary.

Also, when I have gotten on the gas, running boost up to 20 or so, I never get smoke...at all. Good or bad?

 

Check it when it's cold, that way there's room for expansion when the engine gets warm. If you over-fill it the truck will puke some of it out of the degas (overflow bottle) when it gets good & warm. I seem to think there was a TSB out there at one time where FMC was putting a sticker on the side of the degas to mark where the correct fill line is at. I just put a mark with a Sharpie (yeah, I'm cheap/lazy). I wouldn't say the rest of these PM items are overkill, but they head off minor issues before they get ugly. I just look at it this way...driving a 6.0L powered truck is like living with a supermodel, yeah there's some extra work involved...but man alive the rewards are worth it.I usually push the pedal through the floorboard when I work it that hard (when up to operating temp). It pisses off the Hybird folks...but they'll get over it. The smoke isn't really bad, but there should be some.