7 Tips to Keep Your Used Truck Running Well into Old Age
Having to say goodbye to your old truck is a lot like losing your best friend. It's tough. Truck owners love their vehicles as much as they do their pets or family.
But there's absolutely no reason for you to have to bid adieu to your truck before its time. Like everything in life, your truck will give you the performance you want if you simply take care of it.
Bowman used trucks are rigorously examined before they can be placed on the market for sale. Every preowned truck must pass a 75-point inspection or it's not for sale. Then we back up that commitment to safety with either a 30 or 90 day warranty.
But after that? Well, we preach two aspects of responsible ownership: maintenance and consulting your owner's manual. Most vehicle owners only use the manual when they want to find out how a feature works. But, there's a lot of good information on keeping your beloved truck running.
What's more, as a Harrisonburg VA dealership, we've been selling cars for 60+ years. If there is one secret we've learned for keeping your truck's ticker humming, it's maintenance.
It's not sexy, but it works. So, take advantage of our vast experience and follow these maintenance tips.
The Holy Grail of your truck's long life is changing the oil regularly. If your truck is older with high mileage, change your oil filter when you also change the oil.
Dirty, gunky oil is the death of a truck's engine. Check your owner's manual for how often to change the oil.
Tires
Rotating your tires helps to ensure even wear. Too often, though, truck owners think that just changing the oil at prescribed intervals is enough. But really, rotating the tires every time you get an oil change will encourage a longer life for your tires, and a smoother ride for you.
When you rotate your tires, be sure to get them balanced as well. With each pothole you hit, with each bump or off-road mission, your tires will get more out of balance.
That can lead to vibrations while driving and can cause increased wear on your truck's suspension, as well as uneven tire wear.
Alignment
If your truck is pulling to one side, then it's time for an alignment. Wheels that are out of whack will increase the wear and tire on your tires.
Aggressive driving and driving at high speeds over rough roads can also cause wheel misalignment. Plus, gas mileage usually worsens.
Getting your wheels aligned periodically will pay off in the long run.
Lights
While it's important to get regular oil changes, don't forget to check the interior and exterior of your truck, too. This simple check can give you clues as to your truck's health.
For example, a dim interior light can mean an electrical problem. A burned out tail light is not only dangerous, it can lead to a hefty fine. You also want to make sure your glove box contains spare fuses, too.
Fluid Levels
Your truck can't run without adequate fluids. So, check fluid levels routinely. The most important one is the engine oil. If it smells dirty or like gas, time to change it.
Next up is the engine coolant. Truck engines generate a lot of heat, so you want to make sure that coolant levels are good.
Finally, check your windshield washer fluid. It's always a good idea to keep an extra jug of it in your vehicle, especially during the winter. Salt and sand on the road can cause you to use more of it.
Air
We all need clean air to live a healthy life and your truck is no exception. Make sure you change your air filter regularly because it can become clogged with chemical contaminants, dust, and debris.
A fresh engine filter is recommended every 15,000-30,000 miles. If you drive on a lot of dirt roads, you may want to change it more often.
Not only does a clean air filter help your engine last longer, it can also optimize the efficiency and acceleration of your engine.
Driving Conditions
One of the most important aspects of taking care of your truck long term is understanding what kind of wear and tear you're placing on your vehicle.
Do you regularly carry heavy loads? Drive off road? Make multiple short trips every day? How you use your truck greatly determines the type of maintenance your truck needs.
When you bring your truck to our Joe Bowman service department, we'll go over it with a multi-point inspection as part of your service appointment.
Think of it as a doctor's check-up for your truck. From batteries, spark plugs, to brake pads, we'll analyze your truck to make sure it's running at peak performance.
If we spot any potential problems, we'll let you know. Keeping you safe on the road is what our service department does best!
