For a business owner to be successful, two things are usually at the forefront of their thinking: a good return on investment and the life of their work vehicle(s). We would like to help you with that second concern. Preventative work truck maintenance is an absolute must. Costly repairs can be minimized which will lower the operating costs of your trucks. Additionally, the time during which your vehicle will be completely operational will be increased by the performance of preventative maintenance. Yet another benefit is a higher level of operator safety.
To maximize your ROI and the life of your work vehicles (and more), check out the preventative maintenance suggestions below.
Cleanliness
Don’t ignore getting your truck washed. Trucks should be washed regularly, particularly if they operate in the snow belt or commonly venture off-road. Corrosive chemicals such as salt and other ice/snow treatments can lead to structural damage by creating unsightly rust. Don’t forget about the undercarriage when cleaning the rear, sides, and front of your vehicles.
Speaking of your vehicle’s exterior, don’t forget to do an external check for lighting and other concerns before getting behind the wheel.
Brakes Are Important
You want your brakes to be there when you need them. The environment in which your truck or other vehicle works has everything to do with brake wear. You will need to execute preventative maintenance on a more frequent basis if there is a lot of starting, stopping, and heavy traffic involved in a normal day of driving. Less wear is usually a result of less stopping and open roads. Here’s a good rule of thumb: every time you rotate your tires, have the rotors and brake pads checked.
You Depend on Your Tires!
To maximize fuel economy and extend their usefulness, make sure that tires are rotated and properly inflated. Every 5000 to 8000 miles, most tire manufacturers recommend that you have your tires rotated. Many truck tires are designed with a lifespan of approximately 50,000 miles or more in mind. To see if you need new tires, check the tread depth of your tires. If the tread is at 2/32 of an inch or less, new tires should be installed ASAP.
Diesel Exhaust
Deionized water and urea comprise diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Its purpose is to protect the environment against unburned fuel exhaust. Including any number of gas stations, DEF is easy to find. Your DEF level needs close attention paid to it if your work truck has a diesel engine. Depending on the manufacturer, in fact, your engine may refuse to start if your truck enters “limp mode” because the DEF tank has run dry.
Keeping Your Cool
Or, more accurately, your vehicle’s cool. Transmission fluid and coolant are some of the most neglected vehicle checks. But the performance and longevity of your vehicle can be negatively affected if those fluids run low or dry. Once a month, the levels of both should be checked. Before checking coolant levels, however, make sure that your engine cools down. Look at the owner’s manual if you need suggestions as to how often to change transmission fluid and coolant.
Keeping the Entire System Running Smoothly
One of the main considerations when performing preventative maintenance is your engine’s oil. Within your engine, many of the mechanical components rely on lubrication from oil. If your oil is beyond its maintenance interval or there is an insufficient amount, it dramatically increases the risk of engine component wear. Far beyond conventional oil, oil change intervals can be extended by utilizing synthetic oil. Conventional oil changes are recommended between 3000 and 5000 miles, whereas between 7500 miles and 15,000 miles is the suggested change interval for synthetic oils.
Of course, how often you change your oil can also be determined by things like the following:
- Whether or not the vehicle has a gas or diesel engine.
- Extreme temperature environments (cold or hot).
- High engine mileage.
- Severe operating applications such as off-road or heavy towing.
Do you need a reliable vehicle servicing provider? Contact the professionals at Mickey Genuine Parts to schedule an appointment at one of our certified service centers. They are conveniently located throughout the United States. Contact us today to find out more about parts and servicing.