Maintenance Tips for Your Chevrolet Truck

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Whether you drive a hard-working Chevrolet Colorado or a mighty Silverado, your truck needs regular service to stay in peak condition. The Quirk Chevrolet of Bangor service center is here to keep your pickup truck running well in Bangor, Maine. Read our tips for maintaining your pickup’s longevity, performance, and safety in Penobscot County.


Tire maintenance is crucial for trucks

A good set of truck tires provides confidence on the road in Bangor or on muddy off-road terrain. Keep your truck’s tires in optimal condition by having them rotated and balanced at Quirk Chevrolet of Bangor every 5,000-7,500 miles. This practice ensures an even wear pattern, better traction, a smoother ride, and improved fuel efficiency from your Colorado or Silverado.

Also, when the seasons change, don’t delay on switching between snow tires and all-season tires. Using snow tires outside of winter can diminish your truck’s fuel efficiency, put excessive strain on its engine, and give you a rougher, noisier ride.

Don’t miss routine oil changes

Every vehicle needs fresh oil, but hard-working pickups need oil changes far more frequently than your average commuter car in Bangor. That’s because your Chevrolet truck’s engine gets an intense workout when you use it to tow heavy trailers and explore rugged off-road terrain.

To keep your truck’s engine humming happily, check its oil level and quality at least once per month. If it’s looking dark or gritty, it’s time for an oil change at Quirk Chevrolet of Bangor. And if you regularly use your truck for tough jobs in Penobscot County, the motor will need fresh oil more frequently than the usually recommended six-month interval.

Make brake care a priority

Your truck’s brakes are under a lot of pressure; they have to stop the momentum of your heavy pickup truck along with whatever you’re towing or hauling. Soft brakes with worn pads can be a danger on the streets of Bangor.

Check your truck’s brake pads and rotors at least every six months, or have our technicians assess them when you come in for a tire rotation. If they’re making a grinding noise or they’re less than 4 mm thick, it’s time for new brake pads. You can also help maintain your truck’s brake lines by cleaning them regularly and coating them with anti-corrosion spray or white lithium grease to prevent rust.

Keep the cameras clean

If you drive a newer Chevrolet truck that comes with exterior cameras — like the latest Silverado 1500, which has up to 15 different views — then you appreciate their usefulness on and off the road. But those peripheral views are only possible if you keep the cameras clean and functioning.

Any drivers in Bangor who regularly get their truck muddy and use it for dirty jobs should ensure that the lenses are not obscured by dirt and debris. Do the exterior views shown on the cab screen look blocked or cloudy? Use a soft-bristled brush, microfiber cloth, and a lens cleaner spray to remove grime.

Maintaining your truck’s four-wheel drive system

Your truck’s four-wheel drive system gives it impressive capabilities — but like all vehicle components, it requires routine maintenance. Check the front and rear differentials to ensure that they’re properly filled with fluid. Also verify that the fluid isn’t gritty, leaking, or off-colored.

If you notice that the fluid seems overfilled, it’s possible that transmission fluid is leaking into the reservoir. This can lead to issues with both the transmission and the transfer case. Schedule a service visit at Quirk Chevrolet of Bangor as soon as possible if you notice this issue.

Keep on top of trailer hitch care

Your truck’s trailer hitch needs to be in proper condition for you to tow safely. Lubricate the ball hitch with a specialized trailer hitch lubricant. Apply this lubricant to your trailer’s connector as well. Consider greasing up any other parts that have moving metal components, such as locks.

If there’s already rust forming on the hitch, clear it away with a wire brush and spray it with a rust stopper before you apply lubricant.

Don’t neglect the bed

A damaged or rusted truck bed can take a major toll on your truck’s usefulness. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to keep your truck’s bed in prime condition. Avoid letting water and debris accumulate in the truck bed, as these can cause your truck bed to rust.

Soak up standing water with a towel or mop. Brush away fallen leaves and other debris with a push broom. You can also protect your truck bed from the elements with a tonneau cover or give it an extra layer of protection with a drop-in or spray-on bed liner.

Want to keep your truck in peak condition here in Bangor, Maine? Trust the service experts at Quirk Chevrolet of Bangor in Penobscot County. We can routinely inspect and service your Chevy Colorado or Silverado to catch any issues before they damage your vehicle.