Business vehicle wear and tear is much higher and harder on a truck in comparison to a family car. It is important to follow a regular maintenance schedule if you wish to keep using your truck for a long period of time.
Inspecting your vehicle is a key element to keeping it in good shape. If you see an issue, attend to it immediately even if it seems minor at the time.
Follow these tips to maintain discipline in your maintenance. This will prevent your drivers or yourself getting into an accident and having to call for roadside truck repair.
1. Change the oil
Delivery trucks commonly drive through traffic and may spend more time idling in comparison to a family car. As a result, the oil inside the engine breaks down quickly. Have the oil and filters changed every two to three thousand miles. This may sound excessive and expensive but it is a more practical option than spending hundreds or thousands down the road when your truck breaks down.
If you are using a utility vehicle, chances are your truck’s transmissions will fail before the engine does. Transmission fluid contains additives that lower oxidation levels and wear inside the engine. Experts recommend that a car’s transmission fluid and filters should be replaced every 50,000 miles. For trucks and utility vehicles, it is better to be on the safe side and have these parts replaced every 25,000 miles. This ensures that your truck goes through less wear and tear. Cutting the maintenance time in half also gives mechanics ample time and opportunity to check the truck for other potential issues.
2. Rotate your tires
Reduce the wear and tear on one or two tires by rotating them every 3,000 miles. Similar to an oil change, this will allow the mechanic to inspect your truck and see if there are signs of abnormal wear on the tires and other issues.
Have the air pressure checked on a weekly basis as well. Tire manufacturers may sometimes list a specific pressure level for their tires. If your truck is carrying loads greater than normal, consider raising the pressure a bit more than what is specified. This helps ensure greater stability and reduces wear.
3. Check your lights
Make sure that all the lights inside and outside your truck are working correctly. Driving with a burned out light is dangerous. If you are caught, you may be slapped with a heavy fine as well.
On the other hand, a dim light is an indication that your truck has an electrical problem. Make sure that you have several spare fuses tucked away inside your glove compartment. This reduces the need to spend hundreds of dollars to have a tow truck bail you out when all you needed was a cheap replacement fuse.
4. Replace the coolant
Engine coolants help protect the truck’s cooling system from the effects of extreme temperatures. During the winter, it prevents the radiator from freezing.
The coolant also protects the radiator from overheating during the hot summer months. Have the coolant replaced every 30,000 miles or so, depending on the manufacturer’s specifications. When your coolant levels are low, an equal mix of coolant and water may be used.
5. Inspect your brakes
Keep your brakes in relatively pristine condition by having them inspected at least twice a year. It is best to do so in the summer months and winter months – this will keep your brakes functioning well, even when the temperatures start to change.
Follow these basic tips to help you maximize the life of your truck and reduce the need to call forroad rescue services. Scheduling for maintenance entails more work on your end but will keep you safe on the road and allow you to keep driving your truck for years to come.
AUTHOR BIO
Troy McGraw
A Georgia native, Troy McGraw started Road Rescue Incorporated in 2014, specializing in tractor and trailer emergency breakdown road service. As the president of Road Rescue, Inc., his goal is to provide quality, dependable service to the trucking industry. Road Rescue Incorporated is a growing, thriving, and respected company servicing the trucking industry in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia areas.
