Congratulations, you finally made the leap and invested in your dream pickup truck. Taking care of your new truck so it lasts for the long-term is vital. JK Chevrolet has tips for truck owners in Nederland, Texas.

1. Regular upkeep
Regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance — oil changes and all-over inspections — tops most automotive experts’ lists to ensure trucks last longer. Should be a no-brainer, right? But regular maintenance can easily fall to the wayside when busy schedules, meetings, payroll, customer complaints and other obligations get in the way. 

2. Be kind
Poor driving habits can take a toll on your truck. Quick takeoffs and short, abrupt stops affect the engine, brakes, hoses and expensive sensors. 
Aggressive driving like tailgating falls into this category. Speeding up and slowing down doesn’t help your truck maintain its cool and it shows you’re losing yours. What did your parents always say? Slow and steady wins the race. If you’re on an interstate or a highway with minimal traffic, set the cruise and enjoy the ride. 
City driving is a sport worthy of Olympic competition, especially when you have a long bed or crew cab. But keeping up with the general flow of traffic can safeguard against those excessive stops and starts. 
So when you’re checking how your vehicle runs, make sure to check yourself, too — your attitude and your motoring skills. 

3. Clean it up
If you’re not familiar with the effects of cold weather on vehicles. Regularly hosing off winter salt, sand and road grime make this list because something so simple can be easily disregarded. Running your rig through a hands-free carwash might seem like an extra expense, but the perks outweigh the cost.    
Waxing isn’t a bad idea either. You might consider this a cosmetic — therefore, unnecessary — step, but waxing your truck a couple of times a year can keep protective topcoats doing what they’re made to do: protect your paint.

4. The pressure is on!

Get out and kick the tires. You did it when you were scoping out that new beauty, so keeping tires properly inflated to prevent unnecessary or uneven wear and tear should be common sense. And, no surprise, correct tire inflation can save money on gas, too. 
Both underinflation and overinflation can significantly lower tire performance and cost you money. “Lower inflation pressure will allow the tire to deflect (bend) more as it rolls,” says TireRack.com. “This will build up internal heat, increase rolling resistance and cause a reduction in fuel economy of up to 5 percent.” 
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, underinflated tires decrease gas mileage by more than 1.25 billion gallons of gasoline annually. 
Not only can properly inflated tires put money in your pocket, they can save your life. Low tires make your vehicle unstable. Instability means it’s difficult to maintain control, especially in inclement weather conditions like rain, sleet or snow. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report says one in 20 crashes could be linked to tire-related problems. 
Side note: Don’t rely on your eyes; seeing is not believing in this situation. Keep a tire gauge on hand to accurately check pressure regularly. 

Tires are often the most neglected part of a vehicle. The simple step of keeping tires properly inflated costs almost nothing and it’s one of the most valuable ways you can extend the life of your truck.

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It’s good practice to complete an annual spring maintenance check to reduce wear and tear throughout the life of your vehicle; spring tune-ups will help minimize major part replacements and limit future car expenses.  If you have any questions regarding our tips, the mechanics at JK Chevrolet are available to field your questions.

1. Remove Left Over Salt With A Thorough Exterior Cleaning
Road salt used to melt ice and snow is damaging to your car’s undercarriage; it is also harmful to your vehicle’s paint finish. Ensure your car or truck receives a thorough exterior cleaning every spring. A simple wash and wax can go a long way; a full auto detailing service will go even farther.
2. Check Alignment and Suspension
Winter weather creates potholes in roads; driving over potholes strains your vehicle’s alignment and suspension, which means it’s a good practice to check both the alignment and suspension of your vehicle if your winter excursions were bumpy rides.
3. Hoses and Belts
Transitioning between freezing temperatures and extremely hot temperatures causes engine hoses and belts to expand and contract. Check to ensure no cracks or tears were created during winter. If cracks or tears exist, replace the belt or hose as soon as possible.
4. Check Tire Pressure, Tire Wear and Rotate Tires
Similar to the hoses and belts check – tires expand and contract in changing temperatures. The rubber can become weathered, cracked and worn down in winter weather – sometimes causing tires to wear unevenly, lose air and make them prone to damage. Blowing a tire on the highway is no fun; replacing a blown tire with a spare is even less fun. Completing a simple tire check in spring will help you avoid future tire trouble and consistently rotating tires extends the life of the tire.
5. Check Auto Fluids
In addition to the above auto maintenance checks, it’s good practice to always check auto fluids. Oil should be changed every three to five thousand miles. Anitfreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid should also be replenished and flushed on a case by case basis.

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