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At Hi-Point Truck Sales, we understand that buying a used truck for your fleet is a substantial purchase and you want that investment to last. As a buyer, you spend a lot of time and energy ensuring your used truck is up to scratch before you actually buy it, but what about once the truck has arrived at your yard? We have put together a list of useful tips and tricks to ensure that you can increase the lifespan of your used truck.
Maintaining your used truck
Arguably the most important factor in increasing the lifespan of your vehicle is providing a good level of truck maintenance whilst it’s out on the road. We have compiled a list of checks you should make regularly, many of which you are likely already aware of, but there may be a few that slip your mind:
1. Check your truck’s brakes
This is immensely important not only for maintenance reasons, but also for the safety of the driver and other road users. You should ensure the brakes are checked before and after any long trips and at any other time your driver reports abnormal vibrations or sounds. Truck brakes are a perishable part, meaning that you should expect to replace them throughout your used truck’s lifespan. The regularity of this will depend on a few different factors, including the distance you’re covering.
2. Inspect the radiator
To ensure optimal temperature control for your truck, it’s crucial to maintain a fully functioning radiator. Overheating issues can arise if the radiator is not working correctly, and this is especially important to consider in warm climates or when making long journeys. Make it a habit to inspect and refill fluids in the radiator before every extensive trip. By keeping your radiator well-maintained, you can prolong the smooth operation of your used truck for years to come.
3. Maintain fluid levels and greasing
Similarly to what we mentioned about the radiator, it’s important to ensure that other fluids are topped up to their required level, particularly oil. Many trucks are well known for using a large amount of oil relatively quickly, and this is more likely to be the case with used trucks than new. Neglecting filling the oil in your truck can lead to some very expensive damages, not to mention your truck being off the road for a while until it’s fixed. Similarly, when your used truck has the right volume of fluids such as oil and coolant, you can be confident that your vehicle will work efficiently. Your truck is made up of many moving parts, and for these to work smoothly and avoid premature wear and tear, they may need regularly greasing.
Scheduled Maintenance
We know that scheduled maintenance can be difficult to organise without having an impact on your work, but there is a reason why so many used truck owners stick to a strict maintenance calendar throughout the year. This might include oil changes, truck servicing, safety checks and even software updates, usually carried out by trained professionals independent to your company.
Storing your used truck
It’s likely that there will be times when your truck is not in use, whether that be for a prolonged period of time like the winter months, or a shorter amount of time such as overnight. Storing your used truck in a sheltered area is advisable to prolong the lifespan of the vehicle, as this can help protect it from harsh weather and conditions that may affect its usability or contribute to repairs required. If your vehicle isn’t in use for a while, it’s important to put the battery on a trickle charge so that your used truck will start straight up as soon as you need it again.
At Hi-Point Truck Sales, we ensure that any trucks sold by us are in good working condition and suitable for your needs. We know that all of our supplied brands have the potential to be a long-term investment in your fleet and will keep going for many miles to come. With that said, we hope that you found these tips useful to increase the lifespan of your used truck.
Call us today to check out our inventory on +1 866 766 8484 or visit www.hipointtrucksales.com
Credit:GRC