A poorly maintained truck does not last as long as it should have otherwise. Sometimes, we think we’re saving money by not having professional maintenance. However, ultimately, we are losing the potential of our trucks. 

In a word, you need a proactive approach towards your truck maintenance. There’s nothing like a professional check-up once in a while, but you should also carry your own maintenance check often. When you do that, you can get so much from your truck. 

So what is the basic truck maintenance you can do? Read on until the end because we are going to discuss all the essentials of basic truck care. 

1. Tyres

Your truck’s tyres have to constantly fight against numerous external elements. Extreme temperatures, in specific, can diminish their grip and, sometimes, even blow them out. For this reason, checking your tyre pressure and tread depths at least once a month is essential. 

Some tyre situations:

• You may also notice cracks or sidewall wear and tear on your tyres. If so, you may need to replace them with quality tyres. 

• Do you see worn-out treads on your tyres’ sides? You should get your tyres aligned. Experts recommend rotating tyres for every 8,000 km. If both sides are worn, you need a replacement. 

• As the temperature increases, check your tyres’ pressure and adjust them accordingly. You can check the owner’s manual for tyre pressure reference. With correct tyre pressure, you will have better handling, reduced uneven and excessive wear, and less chance of wheel deformation and separation. 

You must maintain your truck’s tyres well, as they can make or break your driving experience. 

 2. Oil Change

Trucks need their engines well lubricated to stay in better working condition. For this, you need to change your truck’s oil regularly. As the oil lubricates the engine, there is less wear on it. It also reduces friction and wears on the moving parts. 

Thus, changing oil is vital to truck care. 

If you take modern diesel engines, the oil contains dispersants that help remove internal carbon build-up. Like so, an oil change can provide many benefits to your truck care. 

Besides, extreme temperatures cause the thermal breakdown of the oil. It makes the oil less adequate as a lubricant. Therefore, ensure changing oil for every 5,000 km travelled. It can be more frequent if you are on a long journey with more stops. 

Instead of taking these as hard and fast rules, take out your truck’s manual and give it a thorough read. Some specifications may vary depending on the truck model, etc.

3. Air Filter

As you drive, dust particles from the outside air enter the air filter of your truck. The airflow to the engine may be impacted by dust and debris that bypasses an air filter.

It can also block throttle bodies and contaminate spark plugs, cylinders, and piston rings. This debris might harm your truck’s bearings, shafts, and other valve parts if it gets inside the engine block. 

Thus, checking your air filter should be on your list of routine vehicle maintenance. If you often travel on sandy roads, checking your filter more frequently is crucial. It’s your cue when the “Service Engine” lights up.

With a high-quality air filter, you will block 98% of small dust particles. This gives you improved fuel economy and a smoother driving experience by ensuring your air filter is clean. 

4. Fluids Change

Other than oil, a truck may have other essential fluids such as coolants, brake fluids, etc. As the proud owner of a heavy-duty truck, you should also change these fluids regularly to avoid problems. 

Such routine fluid checks and changes help you identify rapid drops in fluid levels, which may be down to a leak problem. Because you found the problem sooner, you can fix it before it becomes bigger.

Fluid checks include the following.

• Coolant – Coolant aids in maintaining the ideal operating temperature for your engine. When travelling in frigid weather, it can lower danger and improve engine performance. 

• Power Steering – A hydraulic fluid transfers power from one steering system component to another. It makes it simple to spin the steering wheel of the vehicle. Regular fluid checks and replacements extend the life of other crucial power steering components like the rack and pump, which may be expensive to repair. 

• Brake Fluid: Brake fluid, a hydraulic fluid, is used to increase your truck’s braking power. As this fluid collects moisture over time, its efficacy gets impacted. It is crucial to refill the brake fluid on a regular basis to guarantee that your truck’s brakes are operating well. 

• Windshield washer fluid: Keeping your washer fluid topped off can help clean dust and smudges off your windshield easily. This makes for a safe and secure driving experience. 

A variety of variables influences the frequency of fluid changes. Your mileage, the weight of your cargo, and the road conditions—dusty conditions, off-road driving, highway or city traffic—all factor into this. 

Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for how often to change your fluids. 

5. Batteries

Heat causes the electrolyte to evaporate more quickly, which can lead to battery sulfation and corrosion. Corrosion can cause a drop in battery voltage over time, and using a battery cleanser can avoid this by neutralising the battery acid. 

After every five years, your truck’s batteries might need to be changed.

Conclusion

These are some general maintenance checks you can take for your truck. However, depending on your truck’s model, these may change. So, check your truck’s manual and ensure what’s needed for your truck. 

Though you can carry some of these regular checks, we recommend you have professional assistance if you suspect any big problem. Don’t try it yourself, as it can make it worse.

Oz Truck Repairs have both experience and expertise in handling all repairs, from diagnostics to truck transmission repairs in Melbourne. So keep Oz in mind for your truck’s needs.