Running Boards and Other Great Truck Products

Most truck owners devote a lot of time and energy to making sure their trucks look great. They buy things like running boards, mud flaps, and other products that are all about being stylish and attractive. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with buying running boards and other similar products—indeed, you are encouraged to do so—remember that staying on top of regular maintenance tasks is even more important. One of the most important maintenance tasks of all is changing your oil, which you should do or have done on a regular basis.

When you change your motor oil, which you can buy from Auto Truck Depot, you are literally providing lubrication for all of your truck’s most delicate parts. You may have heard a truck referred to as a “well-oiled machine,” but your truck can’t be well-oiled without the proper lubrication. Without enough lubrication, things can’t move the way they are supposed to and, over time, this can cause excessive wear and tear on your truck, causing damage that can be costly to repair and potentially even reducing the lifespan of your truck.

Motor oil also acts as a type of cleanser for your engine. It can rinse away dirt, dust, and debris that, if allowed to build up, could potentially damage your engine. Furthermore, changing motor oil also keeps your engine from rusting and keeps the engine cool, which can reduce the likelihood of overheating and other problems associated with an overly hot engine.

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Choose an Extang Tonneau Cover

If you love your truck, then you want to do everything within your power to keep it running and looking great for as long as possible. The good news is that there are many things that you can do. One of the simplest is to always use the highest quality accessories on your truck. If you’re going to use a tonneau cover, for example, to protect your truck bed and your cargo, don’t just go for the cheapest one you find. Go for a quality brand, like an Extang tonneau cover, available through Auto Truck Depot. An Extang tonneau cover or a cover made by another reputable manufacturer will last you longer and give you more bang for your buck.

It’s not just accessories that need to be of the highest quality either. It’s extremely important that you use only the very best parts and oils, liquids, and other necessities in your truck. Even though it may be less expensive, never buy used or aftermarket parts for your vehicle. Go ahead and buy original equipment manufacturer parts. It might be hard to shell out the extra cash now, but it will be well worth it in the end.

And, as a final tip for long truck life, never ignore that check engine light. Truck manufacturers put that light there for a reason, and that reason is to alert you to problems with your truck. If the light comes on, assume that something is wrong and take your truck to a mechanic as soon as possible.

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Types of Truck Bed Accessories

When it comes to truck and truck bed accessories, there are a lot of different products available. They tend to fall into different groups, and being aware of these groupings can help you to more easily find the products you need for your truck. Some products, for example, are designed to help keep your truck clean and free from aesthetic damage. Things like floor liners, to protect the floor of your vehicle, and seat covers, to reduce wear and tear on your seats, fall into this category. Generally, products within this category are not necessities, but they can greatly help to extend the life of your truck.

Then, of course, you have truck bed accessories. As the name implies, these products are intended for use specifically with your truck’s bed. Tonneau covers and canopies, which can protect both your cargo and the actual truck bed, fall into this category. Many tool boxes and other storage products are also designed for use with your truck bed. You usually need to know the size of your bed and the make and model of your truck to buy the proper accessories.

You also have accessories that are designed for use in the event of an emergency and that are there for your convenience and protection. Things like truck-size first aid kits, fuel transfer tanks for when you run out of gas, and disposable cameras for taking pictures of an accident fall into this category. For best results, you should have truck accessories from all of these categories and more.

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How Truck Canopies Can Help

Cleaning your truck might not be necessary to keep it running at its very best, but it is necessary for keeping it looking its best. Start with the inside by vacuuming out dust and dirt, picking up any stray trash, and wiping down harder surfaces, like the steering wheel and dashboard. Keep in mind that certain accessories, like floor liners, can go a long way in keeping your truck neater in between cleanings. Once you’ve got the inside of your truck looking good, it’s time to move to the outside.

You can easily run your truck through a car wash to get the windshield looking nice and clear. However, for a truly deep clean, you’re going to need to get your hands dirty (or at least soapy!). Roll up those sleeves and go to work polishing and cleaning your truck’s exterior, being sure to use only quality products intended specifically for automotive use. You can find these products at Auto Truck Depot; other products may damage your vehicle, so use extreme caution and be selective about what you buy.

In addition to staying on top of regular cleanings, consider using truck canopies to help keep your truck bed and the objects inside clean. Truck canopies can help to prevent dust, leaves, dirt, and other debris from accumulating in the back of your truck bed. They’re also good at catching paint splatters and other staining materials and at protecting your truck bed from scratches, scrapes and dings. All you have to do is shake out your canopy to remove debris.

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Don't Skip Out on Tonneau Covers

As a truck owner, there are a lot of good things you can do for your truck, such as buying only the highest quality parts and accessories and finding a reputable mechanic. There are also, however, some very bad things that you can do, things that can hurt your truck and shorten its lifespan. One thing to avoid is not buying the right accessories. It can be tempting to spend your money on “fun” accessories rather than necessary ones, but don’t do it. Things like tonneau covers, which protect your vehicle’s bed are absolutely necessary. Without tonneau covers, you not only run the risk of having your truck bed damaged but also of losing or causing damage to the cargo you carry.

Another big no-no of truck ownership is skipping out on regularly scheduled maintenance tasks. Every truck needs to have various maintenance jobs performed at least once a month. Many of these are simple enough that you can do them yourself, so there’s no reason not to take care of them. Consult your truck’s owner’s manual or visit your mechanic to work out a reasonable maintenance schedule that will allow your truck to run strong for many years to come.

Above, it was mentioned that some maintenance tasks can be performed by you, rather than by a qualified mechanic. Keep in mind, however, that this does not apply for more serious tasks or if you don’t have a good, working knowledge of your vehicle. There is nothing wrong with not being a professional mechanic, but there is something wrong with acting like one without the knowledge to back it up.

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What You Need to Know About Grille Guards

Are you considering purchasing truck grille guards? If so, you might be wondering what these truck accessories are for and whether or not you actually need them. Grille guards, unlike other truck accessories that are just for looks, serve several important purposes. They can, for example, protect you and your truck’s front-end in the event of a collision with an animal, such as a deer. They can also offer protection in the event of a collision with another vehicle and when driving through rough and/or off-road terrain. Without a grille guard installed on your truck, you are, quite simply, putting your vehicle at risk.

Quality truck grille guards protect not just the appearance of your vehicle—saving it from unsightly scrapes and scratches—but also your truck’s sensitive inner parts and workings. A good grille guard, for example, provides protection for both your radiator and your headlights. Damages to these and other parts of your truck can be extremely costly and time-consuming to repair, so by reducing your risk of damage, you also reduce your risk of hassle and expensive repair and/or replacement jobs.

While grille guards are obviously quite practical, they serve a “fun” purpose as well. To put it plainly, they look great on your vehicle. They provide a sleek, sophisticated, and streamlined look that will bring out the true beauty of your truck without detracting from it. You can find high quality, attractive grille guards, such as the Luverne Grille Guard, at Auto Truck Depot.

Reduce Wear and Tear on your Truck

Every truck owner knows, or should know, that there are certain truck maintenance tasks that should be performed at least once per month. These tasks are designed to keep your truck in good, working order and to prolong its life. Staying on top of them and doing so consistently helps you to be alerted to potential problems before they get out of hand and to enjoy your truck stress and worry-free.

Most modern trucks feature a “check engine light.” This light is designed to come on when a problem is suspected with your truck and to serve as an alert that assistance is needed. If you see this light come on, you’ll want to get it to your mechanic within the month. If the light flashes, however, this usually indicates a more serious problem that should be addressed right away—waiting for your monthly scheduled visit is not advised when you’ve got a flashing light!

It’s also a wise idea to have your truck’s tires checked out every month. You can even do this job yourself if you know what to look for. Simply walk around your truck and make sure that each tire is firm and has the right amount of air. If one or more of your tires is looking a little low, add more air. Once you’ve taken care of air, take a closer look to check for holes or other serious tire damage.

In addition to staying on top of your monthly maintenance tasks, you should consider adding helpful products, such as brake controllers to your truck. Brake controllers reduce wear and tear on your vehicle by helping you to come to a safer, smoother stop, even when you’re carrying cargo, and there are a host of other products there are just as helpful.

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Top of the Line Truck Accessories

When it comes to your truck, you can never have too many accessories. High quality accessories, such as those available from Auto Truck Depot, allow you to make the most of truck ownership. Some products are designed to protect your truck and to prolong its life, while others offer added convenience for you. Of course, there are also some accessories that are just plain fun and that add style and personality to your truck.

One good accessory to consider is a fuel transfer tank. These products allow you to safely keep a few gallons (or more) of fuel in your truck at all times. In the event of an emergency, such as getting lost and not having access to a gas station, or just plain running out of gas, your fuel transfer tank will keep you covered.

Floor liners are also great products. It might not seem like floor liners could go a long way in protecting your vehicle, but they really can. In addition to protecting your floorboards from stains and spills, they reduce general wear and tear. Your truck floors will last a lot longer with good floor liners in place.

If you’d like to be able to haul trailers full of cargo, you may also want to think about adding on a trailer hitch. These products make it easy to safely transport even the largest hauls, and many models can install in minutes. These are just a few awesome accessories that every truck owner should consider.

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