Common Causes of Flat Tires for Trucks
Trucks are known for their durability and toughness.
However, trucks sometimes get flat tires. If you want to avoid getting a flat tire, you need to know some of the common causes of flat tires.
Here are some of the top causes of flat tires for trucks.
- Sharp Things – Sharp things such as nails and screws can sometimes puncture a truck tire. It’s more common with cars, but it sometimes happens, especially with old tires.
- Valve Stem Issues – Sometimes there will be a leak in the valve stem. This happens a lot with older tires because the valve stem gets cracks in it because of wear and tear.
- ire Bead Leaks – When the tire bead seal begins to break apart it can cause air to slowly leak from your trucks tires.
- Vandalism – We hate to put this one on this list, but vandalism is a common cause of flat tires. To prevent this, be sure to park your truck in well-lighted, secure areas.
It’s always a good idea to keep a tire gauge on you to check your truck’s tire pressure. This will help to improve your gas mileage as well as prevent a tire blowout.
Common causes of tire blowouts include small punctures to the tire, potholes as well as going over your truck’s payload capacity.
Also be sure to consult your owner’s manual to make sure that you’re buying the right grade of tires for your truck. This will help prevent flats as well as tire blowouts.
For more information about truck care maintenance as well as the latest truck accessories, read other post on the ATC Truck Covers Blog. We’re a truck lid manufacturer that makes truck lids as well as truck lid accessories.
http://www.atctruckcovers.com/blog/2012/01/how-to-find-a-great-repair-shop-for-your-truck/How to Find a Great Repair Shop for Your Truck
Finding the right mechanic can be a tough decision.
It’s hard to find a mechanic that is reliable and trustworthy. You don’t want to get ripped off, and you want the job done right the first time.
Thankfully, finding a mechanic for your truck doesn’t have to be a difficult process. If you follow the tips in this post, you’ll find the right person for the job.
- Tip #1: Do Online Research: There are plenty of online review sites and forums that can help you find the best mechanic in your area. Do a Google search on area mechanics and you should be able to pull up lots reviews.
- Tip #2: Ask Your Friends: Be sure to get recommendations from friends and family members. With social networks such as Facebook, all you have to do is post a question to your online friends and you’ll get an answer.
- Tip #3: Ask the Experts: If you’ve recently purchased any truck cap products, truck toppers or other accessories from a store, get the salespeople’s take. They want to keep you as a customer, so they’ll give you good advice on finding the right mechanic.
- Tip #4: Check Experience: Before you take your truck in, check to make sure the mechanics hold certifications. If the mechanics are ASE ( Automotive Service Excellence) certified, it’s a step in the right direction. You’ll also want to talk to the mechanics to get a feel for them.
Following these four tips will help you find the right mechanic for your truck.
We’d love to hear from you! How long have you been taking your truck to the same mechanic?
http://www.atctruckcovers.com/blog/2012/01/what-to-do-if-your-truck%e2%80%99s-engine-starts-overheating/What To Do If Your Truck’s Engine Starts Overheating
You’re driving down the road and all of a sudden your truck’s engine temperature gauge starts to rise faster than a thermometer on a 100-degree day.
Do you know what to do?
Follow these tips if you notice the engine temperature gauge rising on your truck.
- Step 1 – Immediately find a place to pull over. You don’t want to keep driving. You can damage your engine if you keep driving. Be sure to find a safe place to pull over such as a parking lot.
- Step 2 – At this point, you’ll want to shut off the engine and open the hood. Let as much head as possible escape from the engine. You may want to let your engine cool for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Step 3 – While it’s cooling, check the coolant reservoir to see if it’s empty. Look for potential leaks while your waiting.
- Step 4 – Find some coolant to put into your truck. Start the engine and watch the temperature gauge. If it stabilizes, immediately drive your truck to a repair shop.
- Step 5 – If you’re truck’s engine isn’t cooling down, call a tow truck and have them take it to a repair shop. You don’t want to damage the engine by driving.
Following these tips will help you protect your truck if it starts overheating. Remember to stay calm and find a safe stop to pull over. Try to avoid pulling over in high traffic areas.
Always carry coolant with you. If you have a truck bed system, store the coolant in there along with oil and other fluids.
http://www.atctruckcovers.com/blog/2012/01/how-to-select-the-best-truck-motor-oil/How to Select the Best Truck Motor Oil
Just about everyone knows that you should get your oil changed every 3,000 miles. But do you know how to select the best motor oil for your truck?
It may seem like a difficult decision. Maybe even more difficult than finding the best truck tailgating accessories or truck lid accessories.
To help you find the best oil for your truck, keep these tips in mind.
- Know How Much Oil Your Truck Needs: You would be amazed how many people do not know this. Most oil changes require up to five quarts of oil.
- Understand the “W”: You’ve probably seen 10W-20, 5W-30, etc. Do you know what it means? The fist number deals with the grade of oil. The “W” tells you that the oil can handle low temperatures. The last number deals with motor oil viscosity. You can find out what viscosity is best for your truck in your owner’s manual.
- Know the Difference Between Conventional and Synthetic Oil: Many trucks today use either a semi or full synthetic oil. Synthetic oil is created in a lab and has additives in it. Conventional oil is the good old fashioned stuff pumped right out of the ground. You can learn more about the difference here.
Following these tips will help you find the right oil for your truck whether it has 200 miles or 200,000 miles on it.
What brand of motor oil do you put in your truck? Leave your comments below.
http://www.atctruckcovers.com/blog/2011/12/how-to-save-lots-of-money-on-gas/How To Save Lots Of Money On Gas
Skyrocketing gas prices are the worst for truck owners.
However if you want to save money, you should follow these tips below:
- Embrace Technology – There are tons of websites and smartphone apps that will allow you to find the lowest gas prices near you. One of the most popular is the GasBuddy.com. This website and mobile app will help you find the best gas prices.
- Keep Up on Maintenance – To ensure you’re getting the best gas mileage possible, keep up on routine maintenance. Doing simple things such as checking the tire pressure can improve gas mileage by 3.3 percent.
- Drive the Speed Limit – Driving a little slower on the highway can save you money at the pump. Every 5 mph that you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.28 per gallon for gas. Whenever possible, try to use cruise control on the highway.
- Tonneau Covers – It has been shown that fiberglass truck lids can help improve fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent. It all has to do with wind resistance and aerodynamics.
Following these tips will help you save money on gas. For more great truck maintenance tips, read other postings on the ATC Truck Covers Blog.
http://www.atctruckcovers.com/blog/2011/12/the-top-5-truck-care-products/
The Top 5 Truck Care Products
Whether your truck is brand new or has more than 100,000 miles on it, you probably want it to look great.
Below are five of the top truck care products that will keep your truck looking great.
- Metal Polish – If your truck has a lot of chrome and metal accents, consider using a metal polish. Using a good metal polish can shine and protect your truck from the elements.
- Power Washer – If your truck gets dirty a lot, consider getting a power washer. If you decide to get a power washer, be sure to buy one with the right PSI. For washing a truck, you shouldn’t need any more than 1,300 to 1,800 PSI. You can learn more in this power washer guide.
- Grease Remover – For those greasy parts of your truck, consider getting some quality grease remover. When buying grease remover, look for an acid-free grease remover that gently cleans road film and grease.
- Tire Shine – For that showroom look, you need a good tire shine. Look for a tire shine that is non-silicone based. Tire shines with silicone can actually deteriorate vinyl and rubber and should be avoided on all surfaces of your truck.
- Heavy Duty Vacuum – Finally, you’ll want to have a good vacuum to keep the interior of your truck clean. Before purchasing a vacuum, be sure to read online reviews. You can get some good vacuum buying advice at Autos.com.
For more great truck care tips, be sure to become a fan of the ATC Truck Covers Facebook Page. You’ll find great truck care tips and more on truck caps and other truck cover products.
http://www.atctruckcovers.com/blog/2011/12/ice-road-truckers%e2%80%99-guide-to-winter-driving/
Ice Road Truckers’ Guide To Winter Driving
If you’ve ever seen the television show Ice Road Truckers on the History Channel, you know those truck drivers know how to navigate a semi in some pretty tough winter weather.
While the show is highly entertaining, you can also learn some winter driving skills that you can use when driving your pickup truck.
Here are some of the things you should pay attention to:
- Take It Easy on Steep Slopes and Winding Roads – You can lose control of your truck very easily on steep inclines. Take your time. Don’t be blinded by your truck’s four-wheel drive.
- Watch Out for Wind Gusts – If you live in an area with strong winter winds, be on the look out for strong wind gusts. This is especially important if you’re towing any cargo in a trailer. To be safe, drive a little under the speed limit when towing cargo in terrible winter conditions.
- Know When to Pull Over – You’re not on the clock when you’re driving your truck. If the weather is bad and visibility is poor, know when to pull over. It’s not worth getting injured because of the weather.
- Check Over Your Truck – If it’s snowing outside, take a few seconds to make sure everything on your truck is in good working shape. Check the tire pressure as well as the windshield washer fluid.
- Be Prepared for the Worse – Those drivers on Ice Road Truckers are always prepared. You should also be prepared for the worse. Keep a roadside emergency kit in your truck. Have blankets, jumper cables, possibly even a small shovel.
If you follow these tips, you’ll have a safe winter. For more great tips, be sure to read other postings on the ATC Truck Covers Blog where you’ll learn about truck cap accessories, truck tailgating systems and other cool information.
http://www.atctruckcovers.com/blog/2011/12/alternatives-to-that-new-car-smell-for-your-truck/
Alternatives To That New Car Smell For Your Truck
Many people love that “new car smell.” But did you know that it can actually be hazardous to your health?
That new car smell is actually made of volatile organic compounds. Thankfully all auto manufacturers keep the compounds at non-harmful levels.
If you’re looking to freshen up your truck, here are some safe air fresheners for your vehicle.
- Hanging Air Fresheners – These are the kind of air fresheners that you can hang from your truck’s rearview mirror. They come in all shapes, sizes and scents. These are a very affordable option.
- Jar Air Fresheners – These air fresheners typically sit in a cup holder or on the baseboard of your truck. They come in all different scents. These typically last longer due to the size of the air freshener.
- Vent Air Fresheners – These types of air fresheners snap on to the air vents in your truck. Your truck’s heating/cooling system helps to circulate the air freshener. These are becoming a popular option.
- Spray Air Fresheners – These are great if you’re looking for an air freshener that doesn’t have a lingering smell. With spray air fresheners, you apply them after cleaning your truck or if there is a foul smell in your truck.
Using any of these types of air fresheners will keep your truck smelling great! For more great truck care tips, read the ATC Truck Covers Blog and join the discussion on the ATC Truck Covers Facebook Page. ATC Truck Covers is a leading truck cap manufacturer that makes fiberglass tonneau covers and other accessories.
http://www.atctruckcovers.com/blog/2011/11/professional-car-detailers-secrets-to-truck-detailing/
Professional Car Detailers’ Secrets To Truck Detailing
If you want your truck to look like it just rolled off the showroom floor, you’re going to need to do a lot more than just vacuum and wash it.
Here are a few truck detailing secrets that will make your truck look great.
Tip #1: Clean the Wheel Wells – This is often an overlooked area of truck detailing. Make sure to clean your truck’s wheel wells before cleaning the tires. We recommend using a high-pressure hose to remove any dirt and mud. You may need to remove the wheels to really get in there.
Tip #2: Remove Standing Water – If you want a great looking truck, you’ll want to get rid of as much water as possible to prevent water spotting. Consider using a shop vacuum or condensed air to remove water from those hard to reach areas such as around mirrors and door handles.
Tip #3: Clean Engine with Brake Cleaner – If you’re looking to have a clean engine, consider using brake cleaner for the aluminum parts of your engine. This helps to remove grease and make your engine look great.
Tip #4 Be Gentile on the Fabric – If you’ve got cloth seats, be gentile when cleaning interior stains. Rubbing too hard can cause the fabric to rip. Also don’t go too heavy when applying stain removers. They could seep deep into the cushioning.
Tip #5: Be Like MacGyver – Get creative. For those hard to reach places like where the dash meets the windshield, use a stick to push a towel or cloth to dust those hard-to-reach areas.
For more great truck care tips, read the ATC Truck Covers Blog. There you can sign up for our quarterly newsletter where you’ll get tons of helpful tips and more! Also be sure to follow our Facebook Page for contests, product information and more!
http://www.atctruckcovers.com/blog/2011/10/what-size-truck-should-you-buy/What Size Truck Should You Buy?
When it comes to buying a truck, you’ve got two options.
You can either get a mid-size pickup or a full-size pickup. If this is your first time buying a truck, here is some important information that will help you make the right purchase.
Mid-Size Pickups
Mid-size pickups typically come with 4-cylinder or V6 engines and are prefect for those who need a lightweight pickup that is easy to maneuver and get around in.
Popular mid-size pickups include:
Your payload and towing capacity won’t be that great with a mid-size truck. But these types of trucks come at an affordable price and are great if you’re not doing a lot of heavy-duty work.
Full-Size Pickups
Full-size pickups have a better payload and towing capacity than mid-size trucks. Most full-size trucks have at least a 1,000 lbs payload capacity. Some can be significantly higher. It all depends on the model.
Typically full-size pickups come in the following ranges.
- ½ Ton
- ¾ Ton
- 1 Ton
- 1 ½ Ton
This refers to their maximum payload capacity. With these trucks, you’ll see at V6, V8 or even V10 engine. No 4-cylinders here.
Popular makes and models include: Ford F-Series Trucks, Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra, Ram Trucks, Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra.
We Want To Hear From You!
What type of truck do you prefer? Leave your comments below! Also join the discussion on our Facebook page.