You get out of your truck what you put into it, and when you treat your pickup truck to some well deserved TLC, you can drive with full power, ease, and confidence. Check out our top 5 maintenance tips for your pickup truck that will keep it running like the first day you got it.
1. PROTECT YOUR TRUCK BED WITH DURABLE MATS
The exterior of your pickup truck can face some harsh hits whether it be from flying debris on the highway, road salt in the winter, or even cargo packed on the truck bed. Though they seem minimal, these small dings and dents can affect the long-term performance and appearance of your pickup truck. With the truck bed being exposed and facing the brunt of many of these elements, it’s essential that it is shielded with a durable truck bed mat.
Black Armour Truck Bed Mats offer optimal protection with a ½-inch thick mat made from premium vulcanized recycled rubber. The elevated shock absorption will prevent dents and scratches from cargo and debris, while blocking abrasive dirt and dust from chipping the paint off your truck. Black Armour’s unique recycled rubber mats are also high-density with a non-porous surface that repels liquids and moisture. This defense against moisture helps to limit erosion and bacteria buildup that can lead to rust and other long-term damage to your pickup truck.
2. ROTATE YOUR TIRES
Rotating your tires is often overlooked for routine maintenance, but with pickup trucks often driving on bumpy roads and towing heavy loads, it is an essential step in maintaining your truck’s performance and quality. Tire rotation is the repositioning of your pickup truck’s tires in specific patterns from front to back or side to side. Each tire position on your vehicle requires a different effort; for example, the front tires typically take on a larger amount of torque and friction needed for turning, accelerating, and braking. By changing the position of your tires, wear is spread evenly across all four tires and their tread life is maximized. Balanced wear helps to keep traction and handling consistent across all tires for a safer drive, while also improving gas mileage and reducing vibrations to prolong the life of your truck’s suspension components. Looking to start rotating your tires? We suggest doing so every 5,000 miles/10,000 kilometers to keep your tires fresh.
3. NEVER MISS AN OIL CHANGE
This one may be a no-brainer but we can’t emphasize enough how crucial a regular oil change is to keeping your pickup truck running smoothly. Engine oil can easily become contaminated with dust, dirt, and debris from both your vehicle and the environment, hindering the engine, aka your truck’s heartbeat, from doing its job. Clean oil lubricates and protects your truck’s engine, helping it to run efficiently and at peak condition. Your owner’s manual is your #1 source for finding out how often you should get an oil change, but if you tow, carry heavy cargo, drive at a slow speed for long periods of time, or drive in dusty and rough conditions frequently, it is recommended to change the engine oil more often.
4. MAINTAIN FLUID LEVELS
The engine oil isn’t the only fluid that keeps your pickup truck strong and powerful! Engine coolant, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, and brake fluid should all be monitored and topped up regularly. For pickup trucks in particular, fluid-replacement intervals are shorter than normal so keeping a close eye on fluid levels is an added responsibility for truck-enthusiasts. Some drivers may consider certain fluids to be less critical than others, but together they work to reduce stress on your truck for a safe vehicle with optimal performance.
5. WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS KEY
Nothing is better than taking your pickup truck on a wild weekend adventure through remote roads and rough terrains. But driving over uneven roads, potholes, and other obstacles at high speeds can cause your wheels to go off-balance and out of alignment. When misaligned, the angle of your wheels become skewed, causing uneven tread wear, an off-centered steering wheel, and the vehicle pulling to the left or right. The increased wear on your tires can also lead to inefficient gas mileage and poor handling as you drive. Because larger vehicles are more sensitive to these aggressive hits, wheel alignment is an essential part of pickup truck maintenance and ensuring a secure ride.
Add these five tips to your pickup truck maintenance checklist and enjoy your truck for the long haul!
