Difference and similarities between truck and car maintenance

Many automobile owners prefer doing their vehicle’s maintenance on their own. Much like car owners, pick up truck and truck owners also enjoy the time working on their automobile and save a lot of money as well. Although all vehicle maintenance may sound and appear to be the same, that’s not the case. If you’re a car or truck owner, here’s a list of the similarities and differences between the maintenance of cars and trucks. 

The Size 

Size is the most obvious difference between a truck and a car. The wheels, brakes, engines, etc of a truck are larger than a car. Larger machinery means larger tools for maintenance. 

For instance, to lift a truck, floor jacks and jack stands are required that can withstand the truck’s weight. Any typical pick-up truck would require a 3-4 ton jack for lift, whereas a car would require a jack of 1-2 ton only. 

The Capacity

Cars are rarely designed to go off-roading and also can’t tow nearly as much weight as pickup trucks can. But a pickup truck’s servicing schedule is much more hectic and complicated than a car’s, because of its high utility.  

Depending on the driver’s regular driving conditions, most manufacturers provide a ‘special’ or ‘severe use’ maintenance schedule. For instance, if your truck is carrying huge loads, or is in a hot and dusty environment, you may need to switch to a special maintenance schedule. 

Wheels and suspension

Wearing of the suspension is common in both cars and trucks. In both cases, only the shock absorber is replaced. Since trucks tow large and heavier loads, additional stress is put onto the springs and frame.

A pickup truck’s wheels and tires can affect the handling more than a car’s. Going over potholes, especially at high speeds can cause the wheels to go out of alignment. 

Engine fluids

There isn’t much difference between truck oil and car oil. Both require coolant, washer fluid, transmission fluid, and motor oil. However, there are a few areas where different fluids are used. 

Trucks have bigger engines than cars that need large quantities of coolant and oil as compared to a car. Truck oil is more viscous than car oil and also contains more additives and detergents to keep the engine clean. Pickup trucks also require their own unique and specialized maintenance tools.

While a truck and car’s maintenance differ from each other, there are also a few similarities in them. Both of these vehicles also go through a similar type of maintenance for performance and agility. 

Tires and wheels

Every 5000 miles rotate your tires. Although don’t do it if you haven’t done it before. It is best to get it done by a mechanic with proper tools and equipment. 

Belt inspections and replacement

The engine is the powerhouse of the vehicle. Belts in the engine drive the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump, among other things. It is important to get these belts inspected at least every 25,000 miles and replaced every 50,000 miles.

Bottom Line

For a better understanding of common maintenance, here are a few of them listed out by Partsgeek.com. 

  

Now be it a truck or a car, a vehicle that receives regular service will contribute to less pollution, use less fuel, and run more efficiently. The secret to the longevity of a vehicle is maintaining the fluid levels, cleaning the air filter, oiling of brakes and suspension along with the maintenance of other components.