How Maintenance of Pickup Truck is Different from Car Maintenance Nowadays, everyone wants to own a vehicle and it has also become possible for most people to get the vehicle of their choice. However, when it comes to choosing a vehicle there are certain individuals who don’t go for a car but choose a pickup truck. Now, most people think that there is little difference between a pickup truck and a car. However, they are completely wrong as there is a huge difference between a pickup truck and a car. From the way you use a pickup truck and a car to their maintenance, everything differs between a pickup truck and a car. Well, certain components are the same in a pickup truck and a car but that doesn’t make the vehicles similar. Rather there is a huge difference between the maintenance aspect of both a pickup truck and a car. Now, people who own a pickup truck and think that they can maintain their truck the way someone maintains a car are going to get a nasty surprise. This way their truck is not going to get the required attention it needs and issues will crop up. Here in this article, we will discuss the parameters on which maintenance of a pickup truck completely differs from car maintenance.
Use of tools The first thing you are going to notice is the type of tools that are used for the maintenance of a pickup truck and a car. The most obvious difference between a pickup truck and a car is size, wheels, brake and engine. Pickup trucks are physically larger vehicles with parts scaled up to match their requirements. That means if you are resorting to some DIY maintenance, then you cannot use the tools that you do in case of a car. You are going to need instruments that will match the size of the parts used in a pickup truck. For example, when you want to lift the truck in the air, it requires floor jacks and jack stands that can balance the truck’s weight. Check the weight rating of your pickup truck. Moreover, if your pickup is made for off-roading, then it will have larger wheels and tires than normal cars. This becomes especially relevant if you need to change a flat tire or work on the brakes.
Pickups are used differently Pickup trucks are meant to ferry huge loads which are not possible in case of normal cars. In addition to this, cars even the most luxurious ones are not designed to go for off-roading barring a few models. They also can’t tow as much as a pickup truck can tow. Your pickup truck’s expanded utility and overloading capabilities need to be considered during normal maintenance. Furthermore, there are certain truck manufacturers who provide a special maintenance package depending on your regular driving conditions. This shortens additional service intervals and includes additional inspection areas. If you are driving your truck in a hot and dusty environment, or carry huge loads in frequent intervals, or even take your truck for multiple short trips, then you should avail a special maintenance schedule.
How wear can affect your truck There is no doubt in the fact that pickup trucks are designed for a tough job. However, carrying or towing a large amount of weight also plays a crucial role in determining the longevity of your suspension and frame. The suspension does wear out in both cars and trucks, but in most of the cases, the shock absorber is regularly replaced. However, in the case of pickup trucks, as it is ferrying large loads, it places additional stress on the springs and the frame. Certain components in your pickup truck like the steering, suspension and driveshaft joints need to be regularly greased because they can loosen and break which will cause your truck to go out of control.
Fluid needs are also a bit different There is not much difference between the fluids used in the pickup truck and a car. They both need washer fluid, coolant, transmission fluid and motor oil. However, the frequency of fluid changes will differ as pickup trucks need regular inspection and fluid replacement at particular intervals.
Finally The above-discussed parameters are some of the differences between pickup trucks and cars. If you own a pickup truck, then you need to give proper attention to your vehicle to maintain its standards. Whenever you face any issues in your pickup truck and then take your truck to a professional repair shop to fix the problems.