Truck Maintenance – How To Ensure Your Truck Stays With You As Long As Possible

Proper Truck Maintenance

Most truck owners will have put their vehicles through some pretty tough tests over the years, although there are certain ways in which you can ensure that your truck lasts longer. You should perform regular maintenance procedures and always have the manual to hand, which will explain what needs to be done and when. Trucks can be very expensive to repair, but they will usually serve you well over time, as long as you take good care of them.

Fluids

You should check the levels of fluids in your truck on a monthly basis and ensure they are kept to the correct levels. The best way to check your power steering and transmission fluids is while the engine is actually running. These two liquids should always be checked while they are hot, as this will alert you to any problems, such as leaks. You will also need to change the oil fairly regularly and it is recommended that you completely replace the oil filter every 5,000 miles. With that being said, it will very much depend on how you use your vehicle – if you are constantly driving on rough terrain, as opposed to highways, it is more than likely that your oil and oil filter will need to be changed on a far more regular basis.

Tires

It is a good idea to rotate the tires in conjunction with the oil and oil filter changes, i.e. every 5,000 miles. By rotating the tires you can actually improve the overall efficiency of the truck in general, and this will also produce far less wear and tear on the engine. Rotating the tires is not something that most drivers think about, but this is, without doubt, an essential part of truck maintenance. It is also a good idea to check the pressure of the tires on a monthly basis.

Other Maintenance Procedures

You should visit a mechanic on an annual basis. They can check essential parts, including the battery, belts, hoses, cables and wipers. If these need replacing they will do so, and it’s also good idea to ask them to check the truck’s radiator. A mechanic should also complete an inspection every 15,000 miles or so in order to check things such as the brakes, suspension, the steering, wheel alignment, etc.

You should drain the coolant every 30,000 miles, as well as completely flush out the entire cooling system before replacing it with new coolant. You can also ask your mechanic to drain and replace the transmission fluid at this stage, and it is highly likely that filter will need replacing at the 30,000 mile mark as well. This is also the ideal time for the mechanic to check the truck’s computer systems.

When this is repeated at the 60,000 mile mark it makes sense to have the fuel injectors serviced, replace the belts and hoses, and indeed change all the spark plugs. The timing belt should also be replaced, as well as the throttle body being cleaned. As you can see there are many basic maintenance procedures that you can complete yourself, although the vast majority will need to be done by a qualified and professional mechanic.

The author of this post, Ian Newman, drives heavy haulers across the United States. He writes for Capital Volvo, a trucking company based in Montgomery. He enjoys going on fishing trips with his family when he is not busy working.

At AAMCO Colorado, we love cars as much as you do. But we also want your vehicle to drive in a safe and properly operating condition.  If you live in  Colorado, and need a Transmission Service,  Radiator Repair, Brake Repair,  or any other Automotive Repair, please contact your local AAMCO Colorado Locationto schedule an appointment. Because those who know, go to AAMCO!

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source
• License: Creative Commons image source
• License: Creative Commons image source
• License: Creative Commons image source