There is nothing will ruin the reliability of your truck faster than poor maintenance. Unfortunately, the technology used in trucks has changed dramatically over the past decade and you may no longer really understand how to maintain your pickup truck. While every truck is a little different, there are a few basic problems that affect a disproportionately large number of truck owners at one time or another. Here are a few tips that will help you maintain your pickup truck with minimal effort or investment, while still getting top notch results.
One of the biggest problems that you may run into when deciding how to maintain your pickup truck is cost. A lot of people simply don’t feel like they can afford to follow all of the “recommended procedures”. The truth is the average person is spending between 5% and 20% less on regular maintenance than they did two decades ago. This isn’t because they are not maintaining it properly, but rather because the quality of trucks in general is higher than ever before. This means that by setting aside as little as $10 to $20 a month can easily cover any maintenance fees that will arise
Another way to make sure that you know how to maintain your pickup truck is to purchase an automotive diagnostic tool. These tools provide you with a look into the probably causes of engine, electronic, or emissions problems. This is a vital money saver. When a trucks warning light comes on, most people will immediately take it into the shop to have it tested. The problem with this is that there are literally hundreds of reasons that the light could come on and more than 90% are not difficult to deal with. Your warning light can even come on if your gas cap isn’t tight enough. Who wants to spend $100 finding that out? Along with avoiding checkup fees, you can also make sure that your shop is not overcharging you or fixing the wrong thing.
As for actual maintenance, there are two things to focus on – liquids and gases. There are a variety of liquids to change regularly such as oil, transmission fluid, coolant, etc. All of this can be done relatively inexpensively on your own or at a shop. More importantly, the extra $10 that you spend now can add years to the life of your truck. In terms of gases, the most important thing is making sure that your tires are properly inflated, however you should also keep an eye on your engine temperature. If it starts running a little hot, it is likely a warning sign of bigger things to come. By taking action early, you can prevent costly fixes later.
Proper maintenance is no longer the expensive and constant undertaking that it once was. A majority of your trucks moving parts and electrics have been replaced by a single computer system. By putting aside $10 a month, purchasing an automotive diagnostic tool, and paying attention to your fluids and gases, you can significantly increase the reliability and life-span of your truck. It’s not only knowing how to maintain your pickup truck but actually spending the 15 minutes to actually do it.
