Whether you’re a do it yourself kind of person or prefer to pay trained professionals to work on your truck for you when the need comes up, there are some things you can do to bolster the health of your vehicle. No one wants to take the time out to handle avoidable repairs, so it’s a good idea to be proactive and take preventative measures. Making the right moves before a problem rears its ugly head will help you and your truck breathe a little easier. Here’s what you can do.
When fluids are running low, trouble could soon be on the way. Not enough oil will endanger the engine’s function and performance and power steering fluid loss will give you a real arm workout that you weren’t expecting. When fluid levels drastically differ between checks, there’s probably a hidden leak that needs attention. So when you’re looking to find international truck parts and fluids, they’ve got to be the best.
Not only do fluids need to be checked, but they also need changing. This gives your truck the freshest, cleanest fluids to run on. How often will depend on your mileage, where you’ve been driving (i.e. highway or city), and the weight you’ve been carrying. Don’t skimp on changing fluids, because it costs a lot more when something goes wrong.
It’s no good being able to go if you can’t stop when it matters. Inspecting the brakes ensures that you know when you need new ones. You’ll be looking for even wear on the brakes as well as brake pad health. Uneven wear means that something is not aligned correctly and needs adjusting.
Air filters can make a huge difference in your truck’s fuel consumption while helping you run more smoothly. A filthy, gunky air filter reduces the air flow, resulting in less power and inefficient gas mileage. Definitely put this on your monthly chore list.
Without tires, you’re not going to get anywhere. So check the wear on the treads and check the manufacturer’s specifications before checking the tire pressure. Tire blowouts can be extremely dangerous no matter what kind of truck you’re driving. And optimal tire pressure means better fuel economy and good traction.
It’s never any fun getting pulled over by the police and wasting time on a repair order for missing lights. A quick walk around can let you know that a parking light, headlamp or brake light needs to be replaced. You could also be avoiding an accident.
Rotating the tires on your truck can help achieve a more even wear on the tires and extend the life of them as well. This can also solve some issues with alignment and the suspension.
You can decrease your truck’s down time and schedule a replacement at your convenience, rather than when it happens when you know the status of the belts and hoses under your hood. Check for fraying on the edges, cracks or holes, tension and firmness.
No matter the type of truck you’re driving, spending a few minutes to check on these small things will make a big difference in your truck’s performance and your peace of mind. Of course, something mechanical will come up with any type of vehicle, but you’ll be more prepared and likely avoid some of the more costly repairs by taking these preventative measures.
