Big rig trucks are complicated, delicate, and testy pieces of equipment that require lots of tender loving care, despite their fearsome and tough appearances. Here’s a guide to some essential care any big rig truck owner should be applying to their vehicle in order to avoid the dreaded truck breakdowns associated with sub-par care – as prepared by the truck towing experts here at Chicago Towing.

Watch your Truck’s Oil

Check your oil, especially before a long haul or if you’re working with a recently-worked-on or brand new big rig. By ensuring that your truck is always filled with the necessarily large amount of oil, you can prevent damage to your truck that can cause breakdowns and the need for expensive repairs.

Fuel Vents

Check your truck’s fuel vent before driving after having been stopped overnight or for a few days. Fuel vents can easily be clogged by animals or bugs that hide inside them, which can cause other issues and effect the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Check your fuel vent as much as you can.

Watch your Tires

Make sure that your big rig truck tire pressure is regularly checked. Keep in mind that tire pressure can fluctuate based on the weather, road texture, and speed of driving. However, under-inflated tires can cause steering to be way more hard, and over inflation can be easily damaged from potholes and are more susceptible to punctures.

Radiators

Make sure that your radiator is always filled with an ideal clean coolant. Check it as much as possible, and top off the coolant levels. Regularly flush the radiator, and always use the proper refrigerant liquid for the specific truck model engine. If there’s a coolant leak, make sure to fix it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.