Like many other things in life, you get what you put in with a truck. If you depend on it every day, then it’s really in your best interest to take that extra time for care and maintenance. Obviously, depending on what make and model you have, there’s a schedule for certain maintenance tasks and it’s a good idea to refer to your owner’s manual for those.
Whether you have a semi truck sleeper or a smaller kind of truck, if you do make the effort to look after it, then it will be able to continue running as if it’s still fairly new. That said, here’s what you need to know to help you ensure your truck is still fully functional later on in its life.
Change the oil regularly
This is one of the more crucial maintenance tasks you can take care of to help make sure your truck can keep running even when it’s older. Make sure you choose the best oil for your vehicle’s needs, too, and don’t forget to change the oil filter if you have an older truck with higher mileage. If you’re not sure what kind of oil to get, consult the owner’s manual, and double check before you actually buy it so that you can have the oil changed without any problems.
Don’t forget to look after your tires
The tires make constant contact with the road or ground, and each bump and pothole can affect their balance more and more. This can lead to your truck vibrating whenever it’s running, and eventually to increased wear and tear on your suspension. That’s why it’s important that you get your tires regularly balanced, to keep the uneven wear on suspension and the tires at bay.
At the same time, it’s a good idea to have your tires rotated as well. Tires can wear unevenly thanks to the truck’s drivetrain, so having them rotated helps to ensure they wear out evenly so the truck runs as smoothly as possible.
While we’re on the subject of tires, wheel alignment is another thing you need to keep an eye on, too. When you drive over rough roads at high speeds, or else drive aggressively, there’s a higher possibility of misalignment, which can wear out various parts much more quickly. Experts have said that misaligned tires means worse mileage, too, and overall poorer handling when you’re on the road. So if you notice your truck is pulling to one side, it’s best to have your wheels realigned as soon as possible.
Check Your Radiator
Trucks can run strong for many years if their engines stay at a certain temperature even while on the move. Because temperature control is so important, making sure your radiator isn’t leaking and has enough fluid is yet another great way to keep your truck properly maintained.
Keep an eye out for small leaks, whether in the radiator itself or in the fluid lines leading to or from it, and top off any fluids when necessary.
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In this case, the few minutes you use to check the radiator, not to mention taking the time to replace leaking fluid lines when needed, will be worth it if it means you don’t have to shell out more money and lose time because you need to replace an entire engine.
Make Sure Your Brakes Work
Yes, this is another tip that’s very obvious, but it’s still one of the best ways to maintain your truck. Making sure your brakes are in good condition isn’t just good for your truck since it won’t have to work hard to come to a stop; it’s good for you and other people on the road, too. Otherwise, your next trip becomes an accident waiting to happen.
Pay attention to how your brakes usually sound and how the rig usually runs, and consult a mechanic if you hear something that’s not normally there or feel vibrations you don’t normally feel.
Change the air filters regularly
For an engine to function properly, they need clean air. If you notice that your engine isn’t as efficient as before, or there’s something off about it when the truck is running, it’s likely that the air filters have become clogged with dust, debris, and other contaminants. A clean air filter will help the engine run more efficiently and accelerate better, therefore helping the engine last longer.
It’s recommended that you change the air filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, or do so more often if you tend to drive on dirt roads.
You may think these are all basic maintenance tasks, but that’s precisely what makes them so crucial. So consult your owner’s manual for the recommended maintenance schedules and follow them as much as possible, so you can be sure you have a fully functioning truck whenever you need it.