Maintenance Tips from a Trusted Truck Repair Shop
Modern diesel trucks are designed to withstand the rigors of being on the road, but they can still develop issues due to a wide range of factors. Fortunately, if you own a truck (or a fleet of them), you can take steps to minimize your visits to the truck repair shop and prevent vehicle damage and breakdowns. One thing you can do is to practice proper truck maintenance.
Don’t know where to begin? Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Change air and fuel filters regularly
Clean filters allow fewer pollutants to enter your truck’s system and cause premature damage. With these in mind, you’ll want to make filter replacement a habit to keep your vehicle in excellent condition. Read your owner’s manual to know the ideal air and fuel filter replacement frequency for your truck, then change the filters on schedule.
Know when to get an oil change
Just like with air and fuel filters, you need to check your owner’s manual to know when you should give your truck an oil change. Generally, you’ll need to do an oil change every 5,000 miles or so, although this differs with every make and model. If you use your truck frequently and/or use it to carry heavy loads, you might need to change its oil more frequently than normal.
Maintain the cooling system
Diesel engines produce and get exposed to high amounts of heat, which is why they need a fully functioning cooling system at all times. Because of this, you’ll want to keep its cooling system in great shape. Purchase a coolant hydrometer from your local auto parts store and use it to test the freeze protection offered by your antifreeze. If the hydrometer indicates a too-low boiling point (i.e. lower than 265 degrees Fahrenheit) and/or a too-high freezing point (i.e. higher than 34 degrees Fahrenheit), your truck’s cooling system needs flushing.
Take these steps to keep your truck in excellent shape! If you need more tips or if your truck has broken down and needs to be fixed, get in touch with America's Truck and Trailer Repair. Through my truck repair shop in Salem, OR, I can fix almost all types of truck issues and make your vehicle road-worthy again. Dial (503) 884-3881 now to schedule an appointment!