Your truck is not as young as it used to be. Its parts are wearing down, but you can't afford to buy a new one just yet, so it's important to maintain your high-mileage truck to keep it running smoothly into iold age. As of 2009, a truck is considered high-mileage when it reaches about 75,000 miles, and it will likely need more repairs than when it was brand new. Learn how to maintain your high-mileage truck to keep repair bills at a minimum.
Read your truck's manual and follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. If you bought an old truck and the manual is missing, ask a reliable and trusted mechanic to advise you about regular maintenance for your truck's year, make and model.
Choose a mechanic who's certified with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). He will help you keep on top of your maintenance schedule, answer any questions, and get to know your high-mileage truck like his own.
Change your truck's oil every 3,000 miles or every threee months, whichever happens first. This is not a task to be taken lightly, as clean oil in your truck is like healthy blood in a human body. It keeps your engine and its parts running smoothly and efficiently. Use high-mileage oil, such as Castrol GTX High Mileage Formulation, which contains special conditioning agents that keep seals protected and help reduce leaks.
Perform regular tune-ups on your high-mileage truck. Get your brake line inspected, spark plugs and filters replaced regularly, and the fuel-injection system checked for potential problems. Regular tune-ups will keep your truck's engine running at top speed and can warn you about bigger repair problems before they happen.
Check tire pressure regularly and make sure you get your tires rotated at every tune-up or every other oil change. This will ward off unexpected flats and blowouts. Also, get your truck's alignment adjusted around every other oil change.
Look underneath your high-mileage truck for signs of fluid leaks. Be aware of any spots or stains on your garage floor or on your driveway, and don't shrug them off as insignificant. Fluid leaks are common on high-mileage vehicles, but they shouldn't be ignored. Stay on top of those big puddles or oily drips before they turn into expensive repair jobs.
Listen for unusual sounds, such as thumps, bangs or pings. These could be warning signs that your truck needs serious attention. Not all noises spell trouble, but knowing what sounds normal on your high-mileage truck and what doesn't will help you to determine whether to call your mechanic. Noting any new noises and when they started may help your mechanic to diagnose the problem.
