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Truck Maintenance: 3 Common Problems to Watch Out For

Finance | 07/14/2022 21:00
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There are a lot of good surprises in life. A stranger in front of you pays for your coffee; you get a free upgrade on your flight; your waiter doesn’t charge you for your last round of drinks. But there are also a lot of bad surprises that can pop up. Your favorite show gets canceled; your sink springs a leak; a skunk sprays your dog.


But of all the bad surprises that can happen, having your truck break down unexpectedly may trump them all. 


The good news is that many of the most common truck problems can be prevented with routine maintenance. So today we are talking about three of the most common truck problems and how you can avoid a bad surprise.


Here are three of the most common truck problems and how you can prevent them with proper truck maintenance.


#1: Engine Overheating

The engine is the heart of your truck. Truck engines are built to be durable, but they often cannot withstand extreme temperatures. Everything in your truck is designed to work within a certain temperature range. When that temperature is exceeded, parts like gaskets and hoses can melt and fall apart. All trucks have cooling systems which aim to prevent this, but if this system isn’t working properly it could spell disaster for your engine.


What causes a truck to overheat?

If your truck overheats, you want to pull over immediately and wait for a while until your engine cools down. Don’t pop the hood until it has had the chance to cool a bit–you could seriously hurt yourself. When it’s safe, you can take a look at the engine to figure out what’s gone wrong specifically. Here are a few common reasons.

  • Not enough coolant

  • Cooling system leak

  • Blocked hoses caused by mineral deposits or corrosion

  • Broken water pump

  • Not enough oil

  • Problems with the radiator

  • Defective hose or belt

  • Blown head gasket

  • Air trapped in the lines


You may be able to quickly determine what the problem is. Is there coolant spraying around everywhere? Is there a broken hose? If you cannot figure it out, it’s best to take it to a licensed mechanic to diagnose. 


Try to decide if the situation warrants a tow or not. If you decide to drive home, be smart about it. Turn the heat on, which will help get rid of some of the heat. It won’t cool your engine down fully but it may help. Be sure to open your windows as well to further cool things down.


How can I prevent overheating?

Proper maintenance can help you avoid overheating in the future. It’s important to check your fluid levels. Make sure your car always has oil and coolant and top off when necessary. Flushing your coolant regularly will also help ensure your cooling system runs properly.


In addition to maintenance, try to avoid running your AC nonstop. This can put added stress on your engine. Keeping a bottle of antifreeze and a gallon of water in your truck is a good idea to help in a pinch if your truck does overheat.


#2: Suspension Issues

Modern pickup trucks are handling a lot more weight than they ever used to. And with that additional weight comes additional stress on the pickup's body and suspension system. 


A suspension system is all of the parts that support the pickup on the road. It works to maximize the amount of friction between the tires and the road, creating a smoother ride. A suspension system helps keep the ride comfortable from bumps and potholes while making sure the handling is also smooth as you navigate turns, acceleration, and braking.


If a suspension system is not working correctly, it can lead to other issues.

  • There is an increased chance of a rollover

  • Your truck will be difficult to control in an emergency

  • You can cause damage to your vehicle (which can include bent drive shaft, bent control arms, sheared tie rods, transmission failure, or a dead differential)


A suspension system has many parts to it. If your suspension isn’t working correctly it could be from any of the following issues.

  • Shock absorbers

  • Shocks 

  • Struts

  • Coil springs

  • Bushings

  • Ball joint

  • Strut mount/ bearings

  • Control arms


If any of these parts are worn away, corroded, misaligned, or broken, your suspension can feel off and you are at a higher risk for further complications. It is recommended that you get your suspension parts replaced every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. If your truck is hitting that mileage number it’s a good idea to get your suspension system inspected and replace any parts before you have an issue.


#3: Braking Issues

Your truck’s brakes are immeasurably important. Brakes are your number one line of defense when driving. Brake failure can occur for a number of reasons, but improper maintenance is at the top of the list.


Issues with brakes can arise for a number of reasons, but the more stress you put on your brakes, the more frequently they will need to be serviced. The following can put extra stress on your brake system:

  • Driving on hills with sharp turns

  • City stop-and-go

  • Driving in a mountainous or hilly area

  • Using cheap brake pads and brake parts


Brake maintenance is recommended every 20,000 to 60,000 miles depending on how aggressively you use your brakes. You may need brake service if you notice the following:

  • You hear strange noises

  • Your truck starts pulling one way

  • You feel a vibration or pulsing when you apply pressure on the brakes


Brake maintenance can help ensure these problems don’t arise in the first place. Maintenance at the very least should include replacing your brake pads and changing your brake fluid. It is a good idea to have the brake system fully inspected to prevent additional problems. A certified mechanic can:

  • Remove the caliper and fully clean and relubricate everything

  • Replace the rotor as needed

  • Replace the caliper as needed


Keeping your truck brakes well maintained can help prevent further issues and can even save your life. This is one area of truck maintenance where you definitely don’t want to drop the ball.

Those are three of the most common problems that trucks can have and what you can do to keep your truck on the road.


Maintenance is an important part of truck ownership, so creating and sticking to a maintenance schedule is very important. 

Maintaining your automotive budget is also an important task, and refinancing your truck loan is a great way to keep some extra money in your pocket. Refinancing to a lower APR can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Don’t wait–contact Auto Approve today to see how much money you can save!


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Vehicle Safety in A Heat Wave

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“What can I do with $500?”It’s one of the internet’s most-asked personal finance questions. Well, here at Auto Approve, we’re always saving people money. After all, refinancing your auto loan can save you anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars over the life of the loan! That means we’ve had some time to think about what your next step should be.Whether you have a few hundred or a few thousand dollars back in your pocket, here are 5 smart things to do when you have more money back in your wallet!The Best Thing to Do When You Have Surprise CashAlways speak to an advisor about your unique financial situation before making any big moves. Everyone’s personal finance journey is unique, so these may not all apply to you. Hopefully you can find an idea for your money (or a combination of these suggestions!) that sounds just right.1. 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This is especially true of index funds that don’t rely heavily on one company’s success or failure but rather act as a picture of the market overall.Wondering where to get some extra cash to get started? Consider refinancing! Refinancing allows you to get the best rate you’re eligible for and to change the term of the loan, meaning you can pay less per month and pay less interest overall. Most people who got their auto loan from a dealer can save money thanks to marked up dealership rates!Get a free quote to see how much you could save.4. Start a side hustleIf you want to grow your extra cash into more extra cash, why not use it to start a side hustle? Whether there’s something you love to do or something you’re good at that might be in demand, a little investment can go a long way to get you started. 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And fun is important just for the sake of fun! Even with just a few hundred dollars, you could plan a road trip or find ways to add more excitement and joy to your year.And those are 5 great ways to make the most of $500 (or more!)Which option is right for you and your money? Only you can say. But hopefully, these ideas have given you a jumping off point to get started making your extra cash go further.Put more money in your pocket with Auto Approve.Is refinancing right for you? Find out how much you could save in just a few minutes! Tell us a bit about your vehicle and current loan to see your refinancing options – no commitment or hard credit check required unless you decide to move forward with refinancing! When you get a free quote, an Auto Approve representative will work with you to find the right option for you, then do the paperwork for you when you find a loan that’s right for you.Get your free quote now.
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*APR and Fees Disclosure: Auto Approve works to find you the best Annual Percentage Rate (APR), which is based on factors like your credit history, vehicle and desired payment terms. Fees to complete your loan refinance vary by state and lender; they generally include admin fees, doc fees, DMV and title. Advertised 5.49% APR based on: 2019 model year or newer vehicle, 730 minimum FICO credit score, and loan term up to 72 months. All loans subject to credit and lender approval.
Auto Approve has an A+ rating with the BBB and is located at 5775 Wayzata Blvd, Suite 700 #3327 St. Louis Park, MN 55416-1233. Auto Approve works to find its customers the best terms and APR, which are based on factors like credit history, vehicle, and desired payment terms. Loan amounts, costs, and fees vary by state and lender; they generally include admin fees, doc fees, DMV, and title fees, depending on the lender and period of repayment. There is no fee to obtain a quote and all refinancing-related costs are included in the amount financed so there are no out-of-pocket costs! For more information, please go to AutoApprove.com.