Trucks are one of the most popular vehicles today, and for good reason. They’re hardy, dependable, and incredibly versatile. You can use one to move deliveries around the city, haul a load of firewood for winter, and tow a vending trailer to sell food and drinks. However, all that work also means that they require more maintenance than other vehicles.
Don’t mistake a truck’s durability for longevity. Whether you drive pickups or lifted trucks, they’re still machines that have lots of moving parts. They have to inspected and maintained regularly to keep the engines running and the wheels spinning.
Preventive maintenance allows truck owners to catch problems early on.
1.Use the right type of tires
Not all truck tires are made the same. To keep your truck in good condition, you need to use the right type of tires for your particular model. Fitting the wrong set of tires can lead to excessive friction and damage to the shock absorbers and struts.
Apart from your car’s model, another thing you need to take into consideration is the driving conditions. If you regularly use your truck for both urban and rural travel, you might want to pick all-terrain tires. If you find yourself on muddy back roads most of the time, go for off-road tires for maximum traction. Most importantly, make sure to inspect the wheels and tires regularly.
2. Check the brakes
Trucks haul a lot of heavy cargo, which makes them more susceptible to brake failure. Brake failure can lead to car accidents, delays, injuries, and even lawsuits. To protect you and your business from liability, you need to make sure the brakes are in good condition.
To start, make it a point to inspect the brakes before a long-distance trip. If you operate a fleet of trucks, you might want to establish a maintenance plan that includes regular brake servicing. Brakes have many moving parts and pieces, and the downtime can cost you quite a bit. But the alternative can be catastrophic if you ignore regular brake maintenance.
3. Test the engines
Because of the long distances and heavy cargo, truck engines are often under a lot of pressure. One of the cornerstones of preventive truck maintenance is engine inspections. A few hours of maintenance once in a while can save you from weeks of downtime due to engine breakdowns.
Some of the telltale signs of an engine problem include lower speeds, excessive smoking, and a decrease in oil pressure. If your driver reports one or more of the issues mentioned, pull the truck off the road right away and have it inspected by a professional.
These pointers will help you keep your trucks safe and in good working condition. Maintenance is one of the most expensive parts of owning a truck, but it’s a small price to pay for dependability and performance. To keep your maintenance costs low, you might want to partner with a trusted mechanic to minimize delays and downtime.