Owning a truck is not the same as owning a car. Trucks are larger, heavier, and more complicated than cars. One of the most important aspects to maintain on your truck is your engine. Your engine can be considered the “heart” of your vehicle because it provides power for everything else in your truck. Here are some tips to help you keep up with the engine maintenance of your truck. Maybe you like san antonio semi truck accident law firm.
Check Your Engine Oil Regularly.
The best time to check the level is either at a gas station or when you get an oil change. Most people think that if they use synthetic oils, they are good for up to 12 months before their next service appointment. In reality, because of how quickly synthetics break down and accumulate dirt and sludge, you should get your oil changed every six months or 5000 miles, whichever comes first.
Keep Your Gas Tank at Least Half Full
The fuel pump is located inside the gas tank. When your truck sits, gasoline will evaporate from the top of the gas tank and condense on the bottom, causing it to dry out over time and not produce enough pressure. This can cause various problems, such as making your engine run rough or not at all. Keep your gas tank maintained by keeping it filled to the halfway point, and when you do fill up with fuel, make sure to top off any space in the gas tank so that there is a minimum of half an inch below the bottom rim of the filler neck.
Keep Your Fuel Filter Changed
Fuel filters are important for your truck because they remove dirt and other debris from the gas entering the engine. If you have a dirty or clogged fuel filter, this can lead to poor acceleration, decreased performance on hills, trouble to start up after driving in cold weather (), or power loss.
Keep an Eye on Your Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluids are important for the functioning of a truck because they help to lubricate and cool down the gears. If you have dirty, sludge-filled, or low-level transmission fluid, this can lead to poor acceleration, decreased performance on hills, trouble starting up after driving in cold weather (diesel), or power loss.
The best way to check your transmission fluid is with a dipstick that can be found in the driver’s side door jamb, near the shift lever, and brake pedal on most vehicles. Using synthetic fluids must be changed every 12 months/12000 miles, whichever comes first because they break down and accumulate dirt and sludge faster than a traditional lubricant.
Keep Your Air Filter Clean
Air filters are important for truck engines because they capture dirt and debris from incoming air entering the engine. If you fail to maintain your air filter, this can lead to decreased performance in hills or when driving at high speed, increased fuel consumption due to restricted airflow into the engine, or power loss.
The best way to maintain your air filter is to replace it every 12 months or 15000 miles, whichever comes first. It would help if you also replaced the cabin filters in your truck at least once a year because they can get dirty and clogged up with debris from driving on dusty roads. This will help keep dirt out of the engine compartment.
Keep these tips in mind when you are looking at new trucks for sale.