Whether you have a Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150, or Chevy Silverado, you probably want to keep it in excellent condition and running at peak performance for a long time. Trucks are meant for work and are often used for hard tasks like hauling, towing, or going off-road. Regular maintenance is the best way to catch potential problems before they turn into expensive repairs.

Oil Changes

Regular oil changes should always be at the top of any maintenance list. It’s the primary factor in keeping your truck’s engine healthy and minimizing friction and wear on important parts. How frequently you change your oil depends mainly on the year, make, and model of your truck. Most modern trucks like the Toyota Tundra have longer oil change intervals, but your truck’s manufacturer might have different oil change schedules depending on how you drive your truck as well.

Tire Rotation

Rotating your tires regularly helps your tires wear evenly and keeps your truck safe on the road. How you rotate your tires generally depends on whether your truck is RWD or 4WD. You might utilize the rearward cross pattern or the X-pattern. Your tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, but you should also check your truck’s manual for specific intervals. When you rotate your tires, it’s a good opportunity to check for damage, inspect tread depth, and monitor tire pressure.

Fluid Levels

Aside from engine oil, your truck has many other important fluids that keep things running smoothly. These include engine coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. Coolant helps maintain your truck’s engine temperature, and it should be checked and topped off regularly. Similarly, transmission fluid keeps your transmission cool and lubricated. It’s usually recommended to change it out every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Power steering fluid and brake fluid are also crucial to keeping these systems functioning correctly.

Engine Maintenance

Regular engine maintenance is also key to keeping your truck running great for a long time. Aside from oil changes and checking fluid, there are some important engine components to keep an eye on, including belts, hoses, spark plugs, and the air filter. Spark plugs usually need to be changed between 30,000 and 90,000 miles. This wide variation depends on the type of plugs and your truck’s specifications. Air filters should usually be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, but it might need to be done sooner if you often drive in dusty areas.

Battery Maintenance

Maintaining your battery can help avoid a situation where your truck won’t start. You can regularly check your battery by inspecting it for signs of leakage, damage, or corrosion. If your battery is over three years old, it’s a good idea to check its charge capacity. A healthy battery should generally read 12.6 volts or higher when the engine isn’t running. If it’s below 12.4 volts, the battery might need to be charged or replaced. Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush and a mix of baking soda and water to remove corrosion.

Your truck’s internals are important but don’t forget to maintain the exterior with regular washes and a protective wax coating once or twice per year.