The Best Truck Maintenance Tips (That You’re Probably Not Doing)

It’s a fact. Trucks need maintenance and the best truck parts in Australia, and that can make you feel like you’re taking one step forward and two steps back. Nobody likes to deal with car repairs, but trucks are even worse. They guzzle fuel, are hard to park, and can cost a fortune to maintain.

But the reality of it is that you can’t ignore your truck’s upkeep. Neglecting the little things can lead to bigger problems down the road.

Here are some truck maintenance tips you should be doing but probably aren’t:

Check your oil level regularly

The most important thing you can do for your truck is regularly check the oil level. The engine will seize up and break apart if the oil gets too low, and this happens quickly and is easy to avoid by checking the oil regularly. You should do this at every fill-up and check it after long trips when you have idled the engine for an extended period of time or when you have used the air conditioner or heater frequently while driving in hot or cold weather conditions.

Tires

One of the most obvious signs that you need new tires is wear and tear on the exterior. The tread should be between 4/32″ and 2/32″, so if you drive over a penny, it should not be completely covered by the tread. Some drivers say they can tell when they have enough tread by sticking a quarter between two tire grooves and seeing how much George Washington’s head is visible.

Brake fluid

Brake fluid is one of the easiest fluids to check. Make sure it looks clear, not brown or yellow. If it does start to look dirty or discolored, get new fluid immediately because this means there’s moisture in your system, which could cause corrosion and other problems later on.

Brake lights

Brake lights are required by federal law, so if your truck has problems with its brake lights, it’s a serious safety concern that needs to be fixed immediately. Not only could this cause an accident, but it could lead to fines from the government.

Run Your Truck Regularly

Even if you aren’t making deliveries or driving all day long, it’s important to run your engine regularly. You should drive at least once a week for 15 minutes to keep things from getting too rusty (or worse).

Battery

A weak battery or one that isn’t properly installed can cause all sorts of problems, from simple car trouble to vehicle fires. It’s best to have your battery checked by a professional who can also tell you whether or not it needs to be replaced.

Get a tune-up at least once a year

The engine on your truck works hard every time you drive it, especially when you’re hauling heavy loads. One way to ensure that it’s running as smoothly as possible is getting regular tune-ups from a professional. Check out how-to guides for DIY tune-ups and maintenance if you can’t afford this.

Don’t ignore early warning signs

If something seems out of place or if you notice something new, stop what you’re doing and investigate. For example, if your engine temperature seems unusually high, pull over as soon as possible and don’t crank up the tunes until you’ve checked for leaks or other problems.

Clean regularly

Keeping dirt, grime, and other contaminants away from the engine can greatly increase its lifespan. Consider investing in a pressure washer with a long hose so you can easily clean under the hood when needed. Also, if you’re going off-road, remove any mud and debris from your tires as soon as possible — it’ll eventually wear through the treads on your tires and reduce their lifespan considerably.