4 Basic Principles for Taking Care of Your Truck

Tips To Extend Your Vehicle’s Life in Work & Play

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You love your truck. It’s the vehicle that keeps you moving, and it’s been with you through thick and thin. Maybe you use it for business, or maybe you use it for pleasure. But like with any other vehicle, it’s important to take care of it so that it can keep moving for years to come.

According to Statista, the trucking industry contributed $732.3 billion in revenues to the U.S. economy in 2020. Therefore, you can be sure a lot of thought has gone into the proper maintenance of trucks. Here are four basic principles for keeping your truck running smoothly.

Get It Serviced Regularly

GMC truck; taking care of your truck — **The reward for taking care of your truck is tangible**

To keep your vehicle running at its best, you should have it serviced by a trusted mechanic every six months to a year unless required earlier. It’s important to know what the service includes, and why you need it. The mechanic should be able to explain what they did, and how it will help prevent future problems with your truck.

Ford provides a list of scenarios that could indicate your truck is in need of service. They include loud engine noises, leaking fluids, the dashboard engine icons not lighting up when the engine starts and others.

Also, make sure you check for recalls on a regular basis as well. Many manufacturers issue recalls for defects in their vehicles that can be dangerous or costly to fix if left alone for too long.

Clean and Then Wax

New truck owners often make the mistake of underestimating the importance of a good truck wax. It is important to keep your truck looking good, but also to protect it from rust and oxidation. You should especially wax your truck if you expect it to be exposed to the elements like rain, snow, dirt or sand.

There are different types of truck waxes available. Most are primarily made of carnauba wax, derived from Brazilian palm trees. But synthetic polymers are also added to ensure longevity. Each type of wax has its own pros and cons. Therefore, find out which suits your need the best before you buy one.

If you are still doubtful whether waxing provides any actual value other than keeping your truck shiny, here is a fact for you. Yahoo Finance estimates the car waxing marketplace to reach a value of around $1.3 billion by 2029. An industry doesn’t reach these numbers if its use is purely aesthetic.

Go Through a Routine Checklist

It is always smart to get into the habit of going through a checklist before hitting the road. The last thing you want is to run into any troubles in the middle of nowhere. Making sure your truck runs smoothly can also help you avoid accidents and keep your insurance premiums low. Here is a basic list that you can follow.

Check your oil level and tire pressure.
Check all lights, turn signals and wipers.
Check the fuel gauge.
Check the brakes.
Check the fluid levels. This includes engine coolant, transmission fluid, wiper fluid, etc.

If any of these components are not working properly, you need to fix the issue before setting out. Going through this process might feel redundant at times, but it is wise to get into the habit early on. After all, you don’t want to forget it the one time your truck runs into some trouble.

Take Care of Your Tires

You should always check the tire pressure of your truck. Ensure it is set to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, which you can find in your owner’s manual or on a sticker inside your doorjamb. If your tires are low on air, they won’t last as long or perform as well as they could.

The ideal tire pressure for a vehicle depends on the vehicle itself. Larger vehicles usually require a higher psi value. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that inflating your tire to the proper levels can improve your fuel economy by up to 3%. It might not seem like much, but gas prices being where they are now, you could be saving hundreds of dollars over a year.

Whether you’re a professional driver or just someone who loves to drive their own vehicle, keeping your truck in good condition is important. If you love your machine and invest your time in looking after it, any lack of technical know-how will only be a temporary obstacle. Hopefully, this article will help you get started.