Your Ram, Chevy, or Ford diesel pickup is a big truck. All that weight takes some strong stopping power and takes its toll on your brake pads - especially if you ever pull a trailer or carry heavy loads. Whenever you need a brake job, Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA has your back.

Like anything else on your vehicle, keeping various systems clean and in good shape is essential to long life and reliability. Your fuel system is especially important - parts are expensive, problems can be difficult to diagnose, and it doesn’t take much contamination to cause a huge issue. It’s much easier to keep your fuel system clean than it is to clean a dirty or problematic system. Performing regular fuel treatment can prove very beneficial to the life of your vehicle.

Coolant leaks can be a pain - they’re elusive and have a lot of damage potential. Fortunately, at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, our technicians know exactly how to diagnose and repair a coolant leak, no matter where it is. Knowing more about where these coolant leaks appear and why they're a problem will help you to recognize a problem and get it repaired before it does further damage.

If you own or operate a fleet or commercial truck, you’re probably pretty familiar with diesel vehicles. But why are diesel engines predominantly used in commercial vehicles, and where did they start?

When you think about diesel engines, you probably think about large trucks and machinery, and maybe a few oddball cars over the years.  But how long has diesel really been around, and why is it used the way it is today? Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA has the answers you need to become more in-tune with your diesel truck and engine. 

No matter what type of fleet vehicles or commercial trucks you maintain, the fuel system on your diesel is an integral part of keeping you on the road. Gas systems are pretty simple - there’s basically just a pump that pushes gasoline to the injectors. Diesels are a bit more complicated.

At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we understand that no matter how well something is maintained, everything breaks eventually. Fortunately, our team of expert mechanics can repair just about anything, saving your business a lot of money in the process.

Is your engine knocking or ticking? Here’s some information on engine noises, what they mean, and what to do about it, from Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA.

Whenever your engine starts making a noise it shouldn’t be making, it’s always a cause for concern. If you’re hearing a rhythmic ticking or knocking sound, definitely have it checked into immediately. Here are some causes of engine ticks and knocks, and what to do about them.

We know how important a good exhaust setup is on a diesel truck. Whether you’re powered by a Cummins, a Duramax, a Powerstroke, or something else, your exhaust plays a major role in performance, engine sound, and even aesthetics. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, our professional mechanics have the equipment, knowledge, and ability necessary to get your exhaust in shape.

If you drive a Dodge, Chevy, or Ford diesel pickup, you know the amount of hard work your truck puts in. You may also be aware that diesels run a little dirtier than your average gas burner. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, our goal is to keep your Duramax, Cummins, or Powerstroke truck on the road for many miles to come. A huge part of that is keeping your oil maintained.

Diesel engines are known for their durability, but even the best engine has to be replaced every once in a while. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we want you to be aware of signs that your engine is about to call it quits.

You’re Chevrolet, Ford, or Ram diesel pickup is a heavy-duty machine, designed to tackle all kinds of situations. The ball joints that connect your suspension to the rest of the truck are under a tremendous amount of strain, both on and off-road - it’s important to keep an eye on them, and make sure they’re in proper working order. Here’s how to gauge the condition of your ball joints, from the professionals at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA.

Keeping your fuel system maintained will prevent premature parts failure and poor running conditions. Here at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel we have tips on the important aspects of diesel fuel system maintenance, to keep your diesel fleet trucks running smoothly - longer.

Air.Air in the system causes all kinds of issues, from hard starting, poor running conditions, or an engine that won’t run at all. If too much air gets in the system, the fuel pump won’t be able to deliver fuel, and the engine will stall, die, or fail to start.  Air enters the system via a leak or a bad seal - a deteriorated o-ring, worn component, faulty hose, or otherwise. Here we inspect your lines and connections to ensure they are in good shape and track down any leaks we notice air in the system.

You have determined your Cummins, Duramax, or Powerstroke engine needs to be replaced. You might be on the fence about whether you should replace the engine in your diesel, or just get a new truck. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we’re here to help.

We know how important a good exhaust setup is on a diesel truck. Whether you’re powered by a Cummins, a Duramax, a Powerstroke, or something else, your exhaust plays a major role in performance, engine sound, and even aesthetic. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, our professional mechanics have the equipment, knowledge, and ability necessary to get your exhaust in shape.

If you’re running a truck (or trucks) without an auxiliary oil cooler, it may be something you want to consider. Here’s some information on auxiliary oil coolers, what they are, and why they’re a great upgrade, from Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA.

Here at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia we often do diagnostics and sometimes the problem is obvious after hooking the car up to the computer and reading the codes.  However, sometimes it isn't obvious during a test drive or after hooking it up to all those computer programs!  You know there is a problem and a Check Engine Light is on with the fleet customer telling you the car has been having issues starting and the light has been going off and on depending on several factors.  No pattern, no simple answer but the problem becomes obvious when you start following the "threads of the issue" thanks to all that ASE Technician training.

We see this with our fleet customers, our regular Visalia car pool drivers and our diesel truck drivers so it isn't just one type of driver that ends up with a nightmare on their hands costing thousands of dollars to repair, asking about the costs of a JASPER replacement engine!  The fact is your driving habits and maintenance habits can easily avoid this issue!  6 EASY STEPS - Service, Tires, Don't Ignore Service Engine Lights, Keep it Clean & Stop Driving Crazy!

Is your truck used for towing? Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current setup or rig up something new, our technicians have you covered. Here’s some useful information on towing equipment, from Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA.