When you own a commercial truck, it is your responsibility to make sure that it is running efficiently at all times. A neglected commercial truck can lead to many problems down the road, which is why many commercial truck owners service their vehicles on a regular basis. However, how often you should service your commercial truck varies based on the type of truck you own, the amount of miles you drive, and other factors. If you own a company with a fleet of trucks, it’s also important to service all of your vehicles at the same time so you don’t risk damaging one truck by taking it out of service while another one is broken and needs repairs. This article will explain when you should service your commercial truck so you can avoid costly repairs down the road. Keep reading to learn more!
Service is the regular maintenance your truck requires to run efficiently. Depending on the make and model of your truck, it may need different things like oil changes, spark plug replacements, and more. Even if you follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, you should still perform a manual inspection of your vehicle once a month. This will help you catch problems before they become more serious and avoid costly repairs later down the road. If you notice a problem with your commercial truck, such as an oil leak or low tire pressure, take it to a mechanic as soon as possible to avoid long-term damage. By catching problems early, you can repair them before they become major issues. This will save you money in the long run.
One of the most important services you should perform on your truck is an oil change. You should change your oil at least twice a year (more if you drive in hot or dusty environments), regardless of the type of oil your truck runs. Some trucks come with synthetic oil that can last longer than conventional oil, but you still need to change it to ensure your engine is running on the best possible lubricant. If your truck runs on conventional oil, you should change it once a year. If your truck runs on synthetic oil, you can change it once every 6,000 miles (more frequently if you drive in hot or dusty environments). You should also change the fluids in your brake system once a year—especially if your truck is older than five years. This will help ensure your brakes are in good condition and can help you avoid a costly accident.
Another important service to perform on your commercial truck is tire rotation. This is a preventive maintenance service you can perform once a month to help extend the life of your tires. When you rotate your tires, you’re taking the air out of one side and moving it to the other side. This helps prevent uneven wear on your tires and helps extend their lifespan. You can perform tire rotation on both your passenger and drive tires.
As with the oil change, you should also perform a spark plug replacement once a year. This is one of the most important services you can perform on your truck because spark plugs are responsible for making sure your engine starts. If you have a faulty spark plug, your engine won’t start and you’ll have to call a mechanic to fix it. You can purchase spark plugs at most auto parts stores and perform them manually.
You should also perform a brake fluid change once a year, which is especially important if you work on paved roads. If you use a fluid other than DOT 4 fluid, you should flush out your brakes regularly to prevent corrosion and leaks. You can read more about different types of brake fluid here. If your brakes are old or worn out, you should replace them.
You should also replace the timing belt or chain once a year. These are two parts of your engine that are responsible for maintaining the proper timing of your engine. If your timing belt breaks, you will have to replace the engine in order to continue driving. Some trucks also have a chain in place of the timing belt.
You should also replace your air filter every six months, or once a year for particularly dusty areas. Dust and dirt can build up in your air filter and cause damage to your engine. You should get a good quality air filter that can filter out the large amount of dust and dirt that you’ll be exposed to while driving.
When you own a commercial truck, it is important to service it regularly in order to avoid costly repairs down the road. This will help you avoid costly repairs on your vehicle and help it last longer. Make sure to perform a manual inspection of your truck once a month to catch problems early and avoid major repairs.