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You most probably already do, especially if you frequent our blog from time to time. But, even so, a friendly reminder-slash-checklist every now and then couldn’t hurt, especially when you consider the fact that times change, studies uncover new information, and sometimes the things that were once considered to be standard procedure might later be found to be nothing more than myths.
After all, there’s no harm in updating information. Or at least, it’s free compared to when you do things the wrong way because we didn’t know any better back then and you end up damaging your truck. So, as an update, how do you properly maintain your truck?
Clean Your Vehicle
The most basic aspect of your maintenance routine should be to keep your vehicle clean. While there’s just a unique badassery in having your vehicle covered in mud and grit like they were battle scars, the dirt could eventually exact revenge on your vehicle if left on it for too long. Mud and sand have been known to wear down brake pads, bearings, suspension systems, and many other essential components. Clean your vehicle after trekking.
Know The Limits Of Your Vehicle
Trucks vary in many ways. Some of these variations are in size, engine power, suspension type, etc. As such, it’s important to know the limits of what your vehicle is capable of and what type of terrain it can handle without sustaining damage. The most commonly overlooked limitation is that of ride height, where some drivers force vehicles to take on terrain that’s too high for their truck and end up damaging vital parts like the gearbox, differentials, and even the oil pan.
Any damage to these parts can severely impact the truck’s handling and may even lead to a major accident. And while there are many reliable lawyers, like this Houston car accident attorney, who can competently represent you in court, taking precautions can help you avoid such a situation.
Check Your Differentials
One of the parts that are going to take the most abuse from the terrain are your differentials. These can crack open and leak fluid. If your diff gets submerged in any way, you need to check your differential right away. If the liquid mixes with water, it comes out as milky white. This is a clear sign that you need to replace your differential fluid right away.
Take Care Of Your Gearbox
During treks, an automatic gearbox has a high probability of overheating. Its manual counterpart is less prone to overheating, because a heavier lubricant is used to keep it functional. If your truck comes equipped with an automatic gearbox, you need to drain the fluid and change the filter regularly to keep it from overheating. The gearbox is one of the most expensive parts to replace in a truck. Save yourself the stress and cost by taking good care of your gearbox.
So, if these are maintenance procedures that you’ve already been doing, then, good for you and your truck. I hope this information has helped you in one way or another. Either way, it’s served its purpose, which is to remind truck owners to keep their trucks in top shape through regular maintenance. While these trucks are often playfully referred to as “big toys for big boys” they are anything but. These engineering marvels also require care.