There's no doubt about it: pickup trucks are America's favorite vehicle because they can do it all. Pickup trucks can navigate a morning commute, haul a load of mulch for weekend yard work, and then tow a motocross trailer through muddy trails.
But even rough and rugged pickup trucks need some TLC. Help your ride achieve its greatest potential with the following four truck maintenance tips.
1. Choose the Right Tires
Selecting the right tires for your pickup truck may help prevent damage to its shocks and bearings and ward off excessive wear to the wheel assembly. Plus, a reliable set of tires can help prevent accidents, whether you drive a pickup truck or a minivan!
Select a tire best suited for the terrain and weather you encounter the most. For example, if you travel both freeways and muddy back trails, an all-terrain tire such as the Firestone Destination A/T LTR is worth considering. On the other hand, if you take your pickup truck on regular off-road extravaganzas, check out top-notch max traction tires like the Firestone Destination M/T2.
Once you have the right tires, maintain them with routine tire rotations, wheel alignments, and pressure checks to keep things rollin' smoothly!
2. Use High Mileage Motor Oil
Truck maintenance becomes even more important the older your pickup truck gets. Once your odometer hits 75,000, opting for high mileage motor oil can help boost its performance.
Why high mileage oil? Because unlike conventional oil, high mileage motor oil has conditioning agents and additives that can help prevent leaks, dissolve engine sludge, and improve fuel efficiency! Plus, the unique properties of high mileage oil provide greater lubrication, helping your older truck's pieces and parts maintain an acceptable level of performance.
3. Treat Diesel Engines Differently
If your pickup truck has a diesel engine, you may need to have the fuel filters replaced more often than if you had a truck with a gas-powered engine (think every 10-15,000 miles as opposed to every 30,000 miles). Why? The reduced timeframe is due to differences in how the engine is engineered and the type of fuel it uses. Fuel filters help keep fuel running smoothly through the engine, and a clogged one can lead to serious engine problems.
But the differences between gas and diesel engines don't stop at the gas pump. You'll also want to use a special motor oil in a diesel truck. Diesel engines absorb more carbon than gas engines do and therefore require engine oil with anti-wear additives.
4. Personalize Your Truck Care
You wouldn't tell a long-distance runner to wear soccer cleats to a race. Or ask a football linebacker to trade the shoulder pads for a cozy cardigan. Such plans are incompatible with each athlete's competitive goals
Likewise, make sure your pickup truck has what it needs to achieve its purpose — whether that's hauling your RV or cruising down dirt roads.
For example, if you're loading up the truck bed with sharp or heavy objects — a sturdy tailgate liner can help protect it. Alternatively, if you live in an area with extreme weather, heavy-duty floor mats can protect your truck's floor from mud, dirt, and even coffee spills!
Bonus tip: When in doubt, consult your truck manufacturer's recommendations and owner's manual. A little research can give you info on car care specifics such as proper fluid levels, max towing capacity, and more!
Pickup Truck Care — and More — at Tires Plus
Are you and your pickup in it for the long haul? Picking up truck tips such as these can help you get the most out of your hardworking ride. To keep trucking mile after mile, go the extra mile with expert car care near you: schedule truck maintenance, a diesel oil change, and more at your local Tires Plus.
