Your truck is a big investment in the future of your business, but with the right care and maintenance, it’s an investment that can last you for a very long time. The way you treat your truck can make all the difference in its lifespan, so it’s important for you to follow proper care guidelines right from the start in order to ensure that your truck or trailer is with you for a long time to come. Here are some of the things you should keep in mind when it comes to taking care of your truck!

Follow Recommended Maintenance Schedules

It might sometimes feel like a waste of time and money to get your truck serviced as often as is recommended by the manufacturer, but keep in mind that sticking to the schedule on this one can actually save you money in the long run by preventing the need for more expensive, involved repairs or the need for a new truck altogether. No one knows your truck better than the people who built it, and their recommendations on how often to get it serviced are based on that knowledge.

Check Your Tires Often

If your tires aren’t working right, nothing about your truck or trailer is working right, so be sure to give plenty of attention to your tires. If they are underinflated, it can be bad for your fuel efficiency and make steering more difficult, and driving on excessively worn tires can stress the suspension and steering systems, leading to potential damage, not to mention the risk of an accident that could put the vehicle completely out of commission. Make sure you regularly check your treads and tire pressure, and get your tires rotated and balanced every six months or so to keep them in good condition.

Keep an Eye On Your Oil

Oil is one of the most important components in keeping your truck running smoothly, so don’t neglect it. Your truck’s manufacturer will have recommendations that you should stick to in terms of how often to change your oil, and if your truck is older than about 12 years, you should consider changing the filter when you change the oil as well.

Change Your Air Filters

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about maintenance that keeps your truck working well, but changing your air filters regularly is very important to extending the lifespan of your truck over time. It’s recommended that you change them every 15,000 to 25,000 miles or so, or even more often if you drive in a lot of areas that are particularly dirty or dusty, Your engine will run better and more efficiently with access to fresh air, so make sure that changing the air filters is part of your regular maintenance routine!

Don’t Overload

This rule applies to extending the lifespan of your trailers as well as your trucks. Even though these vehicles are designed for hauling heavy loads on a regular basis, that doesn’t mean they don’t have their limits, and you should be aware of them at all times. Overloading your truck or trailer will push your maintenance costs way up and the life expectancy of your vehicle way down by increasing wear and tear and the potential for damage and forcing your truck to work harder than it should. 

Get Your Inspections

Like sticking to your regular maintenance appointments, getting regular inspections can sometimes feel like a big waste of time, especially when your truck seems to be working fine. However, inspections are required for a reason, and can help you to catch problems early before they become something that’s expensive to fix or can shorten the life of your truck. 

With these tips in mind and a schedule or regular maintenance that you stick to, you should be able to maximize the lifespan of your truck or trailer and rely on it for many years to come.