General Factory Scheduled Maintenance for Cars and Trucks

Factory scheduled maintenance services for cars and trucks are an important part of vehicle care and preservation. It is crucial to regularly care for your car or truck to promote longevity, sustainability, and performance. There are several routine maintenance cars and trucks require; some blatantly obvious, while others not as much.

Continue reading to learn about some different types of factory scheduled maintenance services recommended for cars and trucks.

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Oil Changes

Having the oil changed in a car or truck is mandatory in order to achieve safe and proper vehicle performance and functionality. Oil changes should happen once a year or every 7000 miles; depending on the make and model vehicle. In larger vehicles, such as semi-trucks and diesel powered engines, an oil change should be made every 3,000 miles or twice a year.

Additional Fluid Changes

Oil is not the only fluid that requires changing in a car or truck. Brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, transmission fluid, coolants, power steering fluids, battery fluid, and more are all examples of liquids that require changing in vehicles.

Tire Rotations

Tire and wheels need to be rotated and balanced on a professional balancing machine every five thousand miles. This process ensures even tire wear and tear. The weight on the front and rear axles of a car or truck differ, which means the wear and tear will be uneven. Switching places and balancing the wheels promotes better drivability and avoids running a flat.

Battery Replacements

When a vehicle begins requiring jump starts, or has dimmer headlights than usual, it may be time to change the car battery. Most people can accomplish this at home, themselves because it is a relatively easy project. A car or truck battery basically just snaps and plugs right in place, making it an easy DIY job for anyone. Typically, car and truck batteries need changed every 3 to 5 years, give or take. It also just depends on the vehicle make, model, and condition.

Filter Replacements

Along with fluids and batteries, filters in a car or truck need replaced after some time. Air filters, fuel filters, cabin filters, and more all require replacement after a few thousand miles.

Coolant Flushes

Coolant fluid is a viscous liquid that supports the temperature levels in a car or truck engine. Flushing the coolant, also called antifreeze, promotes maximum performance in vehicle’s heating and cooling systems. A vehicle’s manual will retain information about when to change out the anti-freeze and how often to flush the coolant.

Bulbs, Hoses, and Belts

Headlights, tail lights, indoor lights, rear lights, check engine lights, and more all need bulb changes every so often. On top of bulb replacements, hoses and belts require a small degree of regular maintenance as well. For example, belts can become squeaky overtime, and hoses can start to leak. These areas and more require minimal routine maintenance for optimal performance and sustainability.

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State and Federal Regulations for Private Storage of Diesel Fuel

Diesel fuel is used in diesel engines, which do not use high-voltage spark ignition (spark plugs) like gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas engines. Common motorized vehicles that operate on diesel include freight trucks, trains, boats, construction equipment, farm equipment, and some types of heavy machinery. Diesel fuel has many great qualities in comparison to standard gasoline or liquid petroleum. Not only does it contain between 20 and 30 percent more energy per gallon, it delivers a higher power density too, giving it more energy per volume.

With so many advantages of diesel fuel, it is no surprise that many non-commercial commodities have adopted the diesel engine design. Anyone can acquire a diesel-fueled commodities these days, such as boats and trucks. And this means that there is an increase in the private use of diesel fuel. But if you intend, or do, store diesel fuel on your private property, it is extremely important to learn the state and federal regulations for doing so. Continue reading for a closer look at a few of these regulations in order to protect yourself from the penalties for neglecting these legally-mandatory procedures. Talk to your local authorities for a complete outline of underground and above ground tank regulations.

Storing Diesel

The reason why there are limitations and requisites for the private storage of diesel fuel is because of the danger it can pose to both people and nature. Whether above or below ground, fuel evaporation and leaks can cause extreme environmental damage and put humans at risk of house fires, explosions, and more. As you know, fuel is highly-flammable. And storing large amounts can be very dangerous if the proper precaution are not taken.

Regulations and Restrictions

Failing to abide by the state and federal regulations for private diesel fuel storage can not only result in damage and bodily harm, it can result in large fines as well. There are several organizations that put strict, specific guidelines on the private storage of diesel, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Fire Prevention Agency, the U.S Department of Labor Occupational, Safety, and Health Administration, and many other state agencies.

EPA Underground Tank System Regulations:

You MUST notify federal, state, and local authorities if you own a tank holding more than 1100 gallons of diesel fuel.

You MUST NOT store a diesel tank in a place where fumes can accumulate.

You MUST fill out and submit a notification form to your implementing agency when installing an underground tank system (UTS).

Check out more regulations and information at https://www.epa.gov/ust.

EPA Above Ground Tank Regulations:

Tanks must be registered with the proper authorities.

Tanks MUST be at least 40 feet away from any homes or buildings.

Tanks MUST have a sticker that reads, “FLAMMABLE–KEEP FIRE AND FLAME AWAY.”

They MUST be faced in an East-to-West direction and painted white. This allows for minimal sun and heat absorption.

All tank problems MUST be reported to local authorities (i.e. leaks, corrosion, etc.).

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Does Factory Scheduled Maintenance for Cars and Trucks Differ?

Although there are a few notable differences between truck maintenance and car maintenance, they are relatively the same. Any motor vehicle requires the same degree of basic maintenance in order to keep the engine running, reduce repair costs, and uphold safe driving conditions. Always refer to your vehicle’s owners’ manual for recommended maintenance schedules. This will give you the information you need to set-up a proper schedule for your particular car or truck.

Don’t stop at manuals if you really want factory scheduled maintenance information. Utilize books, the internet, and even local car mechanics for additional advice and information regarding car and truck maintenance. Continue reading to learn more about the difference between car and truck maintenance schedules, and who to call for automotive service advice you can trust.

Car and Truck Maintenance

There are seven essential fluids every vehicle needs to operate safely, effectively, and dependably. This includes motor oil, coolant, and fluids like windshield wiper, brake, transmission, power steering, and battery fluid. The difference in fluid maintenance between a car and truck is frequency, as well as, the type of oil used. A car will only require fluid checks and changes every three to six months, where a truck will require them more often since they are larger and drive on rugged terrains. Trucks are usually driven at tougher levels for work and labor purposes, so their fluid gets hotter and burns faster than cars. This means they might also need heavy-duty motor oils and more.

Another difference involves filters. Oil filters and air filters protect the engine by catching grease, dirt, debris, and more; so they need swapped out every 10,000 miles or so if you drive a car. As for trucks, these filters collect even more dirt, grease, and debris, which means they need to be replaced on a more frequent basis. This is especially important for trucks that drive on rough terrain or off-road regularly.

Since trucks are larger and heavier, and usually carry cargo, they require proper tire inflation. This ensures even weight distribution and allows trucks to better navigate rough terrain like construction sites, gravel, dirt, and more.

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