Whether you drive a local delivery truck that operates within the jurisdiction of a few counties, or whether you’re an interstate trucker who rides it for the long-haul, the fact is that you’re going to be burning through a lot of mileage in no time at all. Additionally, if you’ve had the commonsense to buy or to rent a cost-effective truck that’s still operable, but that’s got a good chunk of miles to its name already, then proper maintenance of your truck’s engine is – if anything – even more important. What’s the point in investing in something as critical as a freight truck if you aren’t able to maintain it properly? On that note, we at DW Lift Sales would like to impart to you a few accumulated bits of truck maintenance wisdom we’ve picked up over the years.
Rule 1: Don’t Over-Rev
Revving your engine beyond the RPM limits prescribed by your engine parameters is a sure recipe for adding to engine wear-and-tear. If anything, invrease your engine torque ratings while you drive. This will not only help keep your engine from overheating in the long-run, but it will improve on fuel efficiency as well.
Rule 2: Don’t Speed
We know that life on the road can get a little dull sometimes, and there’s the added fact that you’ve got a destination and a deadline to meet. But don’t overdo it on the speeding. Driving at around 60 mph leaves your truck operating at 40% of its horsepower capacity, which is a great long-term, preventative strategy for keeping your engine running smoothly and efficiently.
Rule 3: Pre-Trip Inspection
Don’t ever find yourself in a position where you’re on the road when you first notice a problem in your engine. Most if not all problems can be spotted prior to hitting the highway. It may take around 30 minutes to examine all the necessary details, but you need to check for proper engine oil and coolant levels, make sure the air brake tank is fully drained, and the brakes are checked for the right level of pressurization.
Rule 4: Follow the Proper Maintenance Schedule
Unlike keeping clear of chocolates, or following your New Year’s resolution all the way through to December 31st, truck maintenance schedules aren’t things to be taken lightly. Make certain your rig gets inspected at the exact, scheduled time – so technicians can make sure that no nasty surprises have cropped up since last you had a check-up. Every year you have to go into your doctor for a physical. The same thing goes for your truck, albeit the physical exam almost always happens (a lot) more than just once a year!
Rule 5: Special Rule for Diesel Trucks
In the case of diesel-powered big rigs, prepare to adapt to a different style of engine and a different style of “playing”. Beyond the fact that diesel fuel costs considerably more than good old petroleum, you’re going to have to make sure to carry bottles of diesel treatment with you in your cab. At each filling, be sure to add a full bottle of this diesel treatment into the mix, so that the overall muckiness of diesel oil doesn’t infiltrate your engine in any harmful way. Diesel additive keeps things nice and pure and on the level.
Just a few, friendly 101 tips from the folks at DW Lift Sales!
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