Keeping a truck on the road is like keeping a toy in its package — no fun at all! However, it’s hard to take your truck to the next level when it’s not performing at its full potential. Learn how to help improve your truck’s performance and give it the extra oomph it needs to do the truck stuff you want it to do.
1. Stay On Top of Scheduled Maintenance
Degree of Difficulty: Very Low
When it comes to improving a truck's performance, your best friend is likely an arm's reach away – in the owner's manual.
According to a research study titled, On the Reading of Product Owner's Manuals, fewer than 6 out of 10 drivers read any part of their owner's manual. Of those who do, they read only about 50% of it.
The owner's manual represents your first line of defense against the unexpected. Reading your owner's manual is a great way to stay ahead of issues and tackle scheduled maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer. If you're not sure which services your truck needs (maybe you just bought it used), get a complete vehicle inspection for a comprehensive picture of your vehicle's current health.
2. Switch to Synthetic Motor Oil
Degree of Difficulty: Very Low
You know how important motor oil is to your engine. What you might not know is how much a switch to synthetic motor oil could help your truck's performance.
According to AAA, synthetic oil outperforms conventional oil by an average of nearly 50%. As long as it aligns with your manufacturer recommendations, choosing synthetic oil can help reduce wear between engine parts, increase fuel efficiency, and support vehicle performance in extreme temperatures.
Here are a few situations in which synthetic motor oil is particularly beneficial:
- When operating in extreme temperatures — very hot or cold environments
- In trucks that are primarily driven in bumper-to-bumper traffic
- While hauling or towing heavy loads
- In high-mileage vehicles that are more prone to engine sludge buildup
Are you ready to make the switch to full synthetic? Schedule your next oil change at a Firestone Complete Auto Care near you and receive a Pennzoil Full Synthetic oil change to help keep your truck running smoother, longer.
3. Tend to the Tires
Degree of Difficulty: Low
If you want to get the most performance out of your truck, make sure it has the right tires for the job. Determine how you use your truck most often, then find a tire model that blends strength, durability, temperature resilience, and road grip to match your truckin' lifestyle!
This guide can help you decide between truck tire types by providing a point-by-point comparison between all-season, all-terrain, and off-road tires. Once you know the kind of tire your truck needs, find the right size for your truck by entering your make, model, year, and trim level into our catalog.
Finally, take good care of your truck's tires with regular tire services and free tire pressure checks from Firestone Complete Auto Care.
4. Accessorize Smartly
Degree of Difficulty: Low
Another easy way to help support your truck's performance is by customizing it with the accessories YOU need when using your vehicle. After all, the right additions can help make your professional and personal ride significantly smoother!
Bed Liner
Bed liners can help protect your truck bed from dings, dents, scratches, and even rust. They come in a variety of forms — including heavy-duty mats, professionally-applied coatings, and convenient sprays. Bed liners are a truck must-have for many contractors, road-trippers, and other truck owners that haul heavy loads frequently.
Locking Toolbox
Whether your truck helps you earn money or primarily hauls people to and from work or school, you likely make those trips with tools and other items you want to keep secure. For a pickup truck with limited cabin space, a locking truck bed toolbox can help protect your valuables.
Full-Size Spare Tire
There's a chance your truck has a pneumatic tire (also known as a "donut") instead of a spare that matches your everyday tires. If this is the case, consider replacing the donut with a full-size spare to save you time when flats happen.
Keep Your Truck Strong
All trucks do stuff, but not all trucks do truck stuff. Make sure your truck can do the stuff you want with a little extra boost to its performance.
Visit Firestone Complete Auto Care for scheduled truck maintenance, new tires, a high-quality Pennzoil oil change, and many other services to keep your truck running newer, longer!
