Truck Maintenance Guide for Heavy Use Vehicles
Pickup truck owners love that their vehicles often pull double duty, lending a hand hauling and loading, and then as a family vehicle. It’s that capability and freedom that makes trucks so popular.
But some trucks are purchased to be workhorses. That’s their main responsibility. In fact, most owner’s manuals for trucks have two service intervals, one for regular truck use and one for off-road or heavy use
.
For the off-road user, truck maintenance typically requires shorter maintenance schedules than regular use trucks.
Here we review what off-road or heavy use trucks need to stay in top condition well past the 100,000 mile mark.
Lubricants and Fluids
Trucks that haul and tow on a regular basis experience more wear and tear than a truck with regular use.
However, clean fluids reduce significantly the amount of wear and tear the vehicle experiences.
Here are our general recommendations of when these fluids should be checked and/or changed if you own a heavy use truck. Always check the owner’s manual for specific recommendations.
There are a lot of options when buying truck fluids, but our recommendation is to follow what the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle.
Engine oil
Engine oil life can be cut in half if the truck is working in rough, dusty conditions. It’s for that reason the oil level and quality should be checked once a month to preserve the life of the vehicle.
If you own a gas-powered truck and the oil color is black, it probably needs changing. For diesels, oil turns black quickly and is not necessarily an indication that the oil needs to be replaced.
Usage and mileage are always the best indicator of when to change the oil. The oil filter should also be changed at the same time the oil is replaced.
Coolant
Generally, your coolant should be checked at least twice a year before winter and summer. For off-road trucks, the rules are a little different. Check the coolant when you get the oil changed.
Old or dirty coolant prevents the corrosion inhibitors from working as they should.
Power Steering and Brake Fluid
While power steering and brake fluid can last a long time, moisture and heat can affect the quality of both fluids. Heat degrades and water causes rust.
If either absorbs water or becomes overheated for an extended time, they should be replaced.
Check both fluids with every oil change.
Transmission Fluid
This fluid cools, protects, and allows the transmission to work properly. So it’s vital that transmission fluid remains clean.
If the fluid is dark, black, or smells burnt, it’s time for a change. You should also change the transmission filter regularly, too.
With off-road trucks, check this fluid with every oil change.
Differential Oil
Differential oil ensures that the differential, part of the drive train, stays in peak working condition.
Consult your owner’s manual for when you should change this oil. Usually, it’s between every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
For heavy use trucks, it’s important to stay on top of when to change this oil. Lack of differential oil can cause metal-on-metal contact which creates friction. It will also wear down surfaces and weaken gears.
Check it with your oil change to ensure there are no leaks and that the oil is clean.
Other Off-Road Checkups
For off-road trucks, add these hardware checkups to your list.
But some trucks are purchased to be workhorses. That’s their main responsibility. In fact, most owner’s manuals for trucks have two service intervals, one for regular truck use and one for off-road or heavy use
.
For the off-road user, truck maintenance typically requires shorter maintenance schedules than regular use trucks.
Here we review what off-road or heavy use trucks need to stay in top condition well past the 100,000 mile mark.
Lubricants and Fluids
Trucks that haul and tow on a regular basis experience more wear and tear than a truck with regular use.
However, clean fluids reduce significantly the amount of wear and tear the vehicle experiences.
Here are our general recommendations of when these fluids should be checked and/or changed if you own a heavy use truck. Always check the owner’s manual for specific recommendations.
There are a lot of options when buying truck fluids, but our recommendation is to follow what the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle.
Engine oil
Engine oil life can be cut in half if the truck is working in rough, dusty conditions. It’s for that reason the oil level and quality should be checked once a month to preserve the life of the vehicle.
If you own a gas-powered truck and the oil color is black, it probably needs changing. For diesels, oil turns black quickly and is not necessarily an indication that the oil needs to be replaced.
Usage and mileage are always the best indicator of when to change the oil. The oil filter should also be changed at the same time the oil is replaced.
Coolant
Generally, your coolant should be checked at least twice a year before winter and summer. For off-road trucks, the rules are a little different. Check the coolant when you get the oil changed.
Old or dirty coolant prevents the corrosion inhibitors from working as they should.
Power Steering and Brake Fluid
While power steering and brake fluid can last a long time, moisture and heat can affect the quality of both fluids. Heat degrades and water causes rust.
If either absorbs water or becomes overheated for an extended time, they should be replaced.
Check both fluids with every oil change.
Transmission Fluid
This fluid cools, protects, and allows the transmission to work properly. So it’s vital that transmission fluid remains clean.
If the fluid is dark, black, or smells burnt, it’s time for a change. You should also change the transmission filter regularly, too.
With off-road trucks, check this fluid with every oil change.
Differential Oil
Differential oil ensures that the differential, part of the drive train, stays in peak working condition.
Consult your owner’s manual for when you should change this oil. Usually, it’s between every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
For heavy use trucks, it’s important to stay on top of when to change this oil. Lack of differential oil can cause metal-on-metal contact which creates friction. It will also wear down surfaces and weaken gears.
Check it with your oil change to ensure there are no leaks and that the oil is clean.
Other Off-Road Checkups
For off-road trucks, add these hardware checkups to your list.
- Suspension — When heavily used, the suspension can run the risk of sagging or breaking. Inspect it before or after hauling heavy loads. Also check the springs for possible cracks. Make sure bolts are tight and shock absorbers aren’t leaking.
- Steering — Loose steering components can cause a loss of control for the driving, even resulting in what is known as “death wobble.” Check steering components with your regular oil change. Grease ball joints to keep them well-lubed.
- Spark Plugs — Usually last between 60,000-100,000 miles. However, checking them regularly allows you to look inside the engine. If you find any oil on the spark plug, or it’s blackened, there’s most likely an oil leak. If it’s exceptionally clean, there could be a head gasket leak letting coolant into the cylinder.
- Brakes — With heavy loads or stopping hard, brakes wear out faster. With every tire rotation, check brake pads and shoes for wear.
- Air Filter — Change the air filter whenever it gets dirty. With off-road trucks, that could be more frequently, depending if the vehicle is consistently used on extremely dusty roads.
- Frame — Yes, the frame is the biggest and strongest part of your truck, but frames can crack, bend, or rust, if neglected. For trucks that regularly tow heavy loads, it’s important to inspect the frame where the trailer hitch receiver attaches near the bumper or under the bed.
