4 essential tips to ensure your truck runs smoothly

Like most things in life, a truck will produce what you put in. People who depend on their trucks every day need to offer a little bit of care and maintenance. Different models and make of trucks need unique needs. However, you need to apply some simple maintenance to keep your truck running smoothly.

Always talk to the manufacturer or owner’s manual when you want to do something with your vehicle, like jump starting heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid poor maintenance practices. Below are some tips that will keep your truck in good shape while on the road.

Trucks are serious investments. Therefore, you need to do everything you can to keep them in good working condition.

Change oil regularly

This is not an easy task but an essential thing you can do to your truck to extend its service life. Different trucks have different recommendations on when to change the oil. However, you should regularly change your oil and oil filters, especially for higher mileage trucks.

The market has a wide range of oil options to keep the older engine running smoothly and for a few more years. So, consult the owner’s manual to ensure you have the right oil viscosity index for the truck.

Wheel alignment

Always check for the wheel alignment every time you go for an oil change. Many things can cause misalignments, like aggressive driving and high-speed driving over rough roads. Misaligned wheels will cost you money on new tires, poor road handling, and worse gas mileage due to increased wear and tear.

Also, your wheels can be out of whack due to heavyweight on one side or when the tires are unevenly inflated. Maintain the recommended tire pressure and ensure your load is evenly distributed to avoid pull.

Check the fluid level

Check out all the essential fluids. Engine oil is at the top place. Check the engine oil when the engine is off and cool to get accurate readings. Check the oil itself. If the oil smells like gasoline or dirty, it is time to drain and add a fresh one.

Engine coolant is another important fluid to check before you hit the road. You only need to pop the cap and see the level (warning: never open on running or hot engines). Check the owner’s manual first to refill the specified coolant.

Windscreen fluid is another fluid to check. Ensure you have enough cleaning fluid to enhance your visibility in case of dirt or mud on the windscreen.

Check your lights

You may take more time focusing on maintenance around oil change and forget about small yet important components. Some things might look too basic that you assume they exist. Small issues on your truck might become big if you overlook them most of the time.

For example, lights. Ensure you check all the exterior and interior lights and confirm they work properly. A truck might have an electrical problem if the lights are dim. A burned light can be risky, especially on a busy road. Therefore, stack your toolbox with extra fuses to replace if you cannot get a towing truck. 

In a nutshell

Everything you may need to keep your truck running is summarized in the owners’ manual. Always consult the manual to know more about oil, fuel, and how to maintain the truck. 

The post 4 essential tips to ensure your truck runs smoothly appeared first on Paddock Magazine.