When you purchase a truck, you know you are getting a durable, long-lasting vehicle that will be useful for many years, but what if you could extend the life even more?
Performing regular maintenance on your truck will make it last longer and save you thousands of dollars in replacement and repair costs during the lifetime of your truck. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend hours and hours performing complicated maintenance tasks to extend the life of your truck. By following a few tips and tricks you can have a well-maintained truck that lasts for years.
If you are wondering how to maintain your truck, here are some essential maintenance truck tips for you to follow.
Change the Oil
One of the basic truck servicing tasks is to change the oil regularly. Dust, dirt, and other debris can get into the oil resulting in a less efficient engine. While your owner’s manual will have the exact information, you should aim to change your oil about every 5000-7000 miles.
Check the Air Filter
A clean air filter is essential to provide your engine with the air it needs to function properly. Over time, your air filter will become clogged with dust, dirt, and debris, which will cause your engine to work harder and increase full consumption. You should aim to change your air filter about every 20,000 miles or more frequently if you often drive on dusty and dirty roads.
Maintain the Fluid Levels
Part of your regular truck maintenance is to maintain the fluid levels.
Your truck needs brake fluid, engine coolant, and power steering fluid to function. Without the proper level of these fluids, your engine can overheat, your breaks can stop working and some power steering components can be damaged. You should also maintain your window washing fluid to ensure you are driving in safe conditions at all times.
Rotate the Tires
One of the best truck maintenance tips is to rotate your tires regularly. Rotating your tires ensures your tires are wearing evenly, which extends the life of your tires, reduces the wear and tear on your truck’s suspension, and gives you a smoother ride overall. It’s also a great time to check for any alignment issues your truck might have.
Keep the Tires Balanced
Keeping the tires balanced is especially important for trucks because of the rough and off-road terrain you may drive on. An unbalanced tire means the weight of the tire is unevenly distributed around the axle. This results in uneven wear and tear on your tires and your suspension. Making sure your tires are balanced should be part of your regular maintenance routine.
Inspect the Brakes
The brakes are one of the most important parts of a truck so keeping them functioning and well-maintained is not only important for the health of your truck but also you and your passenger’s safety. Check your brakes regularly and don’t hesitate to replace them when they reach minimum wear. You also want to make sure your brakes are balanced and have even wear on both sides.
Clean the Interior and Exterior Regularly
Keeping your truck clean is important, and not just for the aesthetics. Dust, dirt, sand, salt, and other debris can build up and damage the paint and metal on the exterior of your truck.
Cleaning the interior is equally as important to eliminate harmful bacteria that could harm your health. Dust, dirt, grime, and a cloudy windshield can reduce visibility, causing you to have problems seeing, or even worse. For these reasons, it’s important to keep the interior and exterior of your truck clean and shinning.
Check the Lights
Checking your interior and exterior lights are an essential part of your truck’s maintenance.
Not only do these lights keep you safe but maintaining them can also help you avoid the fine you will get if you are stopped for non-functioning lights. Sometimes a dimmed light can be a sign of a more serious electrical problem with your truck, which is another reason to take any lighting issues seriously. Taking a few minutes to check your lights can save you a lot of time and money down the road.
Store It Correctly
Storing your truck correctly is essential for keeping it in tip-top condition.
Even a rugged truck that can handle the roughest of terrain is susceptible to the elements. The cold, heat, dampness, ice, hail, and debris can damage the exterior of your truck, including the underbelly. Storing your truck properly can be as easy as buying an affordable carport kit.
Schedule an Annual Inspection
DIY maintenance is important, but it’s also important to have a professional inspect your truck for any issues you may have missed. Minor mechanical and safety issues can easily turn into a major problem down the road, resulting in costly replacements and repairs. Schedule an annual inspection for your truck to make sure it’s functioning as well as possible.
Be Aware of the Wear and Tear
Ultimately, you want to be aware of the wear and tear you are putting on your truck because how you are using your truck will determine your maintenance routine and schedule. This is especially true for commercial truck maintenance or any trucks that are used for strenuous tasks.
At some point, you will have to replace your truck. When the time comes, this buyer’s guide will help you find a new truck that will be an ideal replacement.
Read the Instruction Manual
Probably the best truck maintenance tip is to read the instruction manual that came with your truck.
The instruction manual will have all of the information included in this article and more. It’s also information that is specific to your truck and will help you get the most out of your vehicle. Reading and following the instruction manual is the best way to maintain a long-lasting, durable, and reliable truck.
Maintenance Truck Tips: The Bottom Line
By implementing these maintenance truck tips, you can extend the life of your truck and have a functioning vehicle that will be useful for quite a long time.
Don’t forget to bookmark our site and never miss a post.
