The Ford F-150 has a lot of fans. It truly is an alpha car amongst a sea of pretenders. 2017 is already looking to become the 40th straight year of the F-Series dominating the US truck market. Even after a series of delayed deliveries on the 2017 model. If you get one, you’re going to want to make sure it’s sticking around for a long time. In this article, we’ll look at how you make that a reality. Regardless of how rough you treat your F-150, here are three tips to keep it in better condition for longer.
Change the oil
One of the most essential yet criminally overlooked parts of keeping the car healthy is the oil. Forgetting to change it regularly can have a whole slew of consequences to the point of making your engine useless. Your F-150’s manual should show you exactly how to change the oil. It should also tell you what viscosity-index oil is right for the machine. You should check its levels regularly, too, so you know when to top it up. For a more effective check, use a dipstick and only check the engine when it’s cool. It’s not only safer, it’s less likely to give you erroneous data. You might need to do this every six months, but be aware that in the summer, the hot temperatures are going to eat up your oil even quicker.
Show the wheels some love
Some more routine maintenance that’s essential to the health of the car is looking after those wheels. First, we’ll start by looking at the tires. Every time you change your oil, rotate your tires. That way, you ensure your tires are wearing evenly. Usually, front-tires suffer the brunt of the damage, so rotating them extends the life of the tires and puts less demand on the suspension of the vehicle. Especially if you’re off-roading, it’s important to check the balance of the tires, too. If you feel rumbling from your tires when driving, it’s a sign they’re unbalanced. Similarly, if your F-150 is pulling towards one side when driving, it’s a sign they’re misaligned. Which not only gives you worse gas mileage but can make handling worse, which can easily become a danger to you.
Make sure it can handle what you throw at it
If you own a 4×4, it’s all too likely that you’re going to want to take it off-road. Hitting that hard terrain can be taxing on your vehicle, but that doesn’t mean it should have to decrease its lifespan. For instance, make sure your underside, the differentials, and transmission, have the proper undercoating. You should also look into protecting the frame from tough hits with F-150 parts like molded fender flares. Whether you take your car on-site with you or out for a mudding, protecting the body and paint is made a lot easier with the right gear.
Knowledge is the tool of the day. Know the demands you’re putting on the car and what risks they add. Plan and prepare the vehicle to take on that terrain even better. Most importantly, know when you need an expert to take a look at it. No-one’s pride should get in the way of keeping a vehicle like that in great condition.
