Transmission Care Tips for Your Work Truck

There are many hard-working people in the Central Valley who depend on their work trucks. It gets you where you need to go and it carries everything you need for your job. From trusty pickup trucks to large utility vehicles, these are the heavy duty road warriors you rely upon every single day of the week.

Unfortunately, these hard-working trucks, vans and utility vehicles tend to take a lot of abuse. They are usually driven hard and put to the test day in and day out. This can put a lot of stress on the transmission. It’s important to take care of your work truck’s transmission so you can continue to count on it when you need it most. Whether you have one truck or a whole fleet for your business, here are some of the best tips to help keep your work vehicles running their best:

Stay Consistent with Maintenance

The first step is to make sure you are consistent with your automotive maintenance plan. This applies to the transmission, but also the engine, brakes, cooling system, exhaust and every other system that keeps your vehicle driving dependably down the road. In the auto care industry, we call it “preventative maintenance” for a good reason. If you take care of your work vehicle(s), they will take care of you. The right maintenance plan helps you avoid major breakdowns, including potential internal transmission damage.

Consider More Frequent Maintenance

It’s no secret that many work trucks and utility vehicles are pushed harder than the average passenger car. They carry heavy loads. They may be driven on rougher road conditions. They tend to take plenty of abuse. These heavy duty vehicles do have heavy duty transmission systems. However, they often require more maintenance and repairs. A big truck that is driven hard every day may need to have its transmission serviced more frequently than the manufacturer’s original recommendations. The age and mileage of the vehicle may also impact how often you need to deal with transmission maintenance.

Check the Transmission Fluid Regularly

You can also do your own checks of the transmission fluid on a regular basis, just like you might already do for your engine oil. Look at the transmission fluid level and fluid quality. If it is low, dark, burnt, milky or full of debris, you may be overdue for a transmission service. You will also want to look for transmission fluid leaks under the vehicle, as that can also be a sign of transmission trouble.

Don’t Wait to Get Repairs

If you think you might have a transmission problem, don’t wait too long to get the vehicle inspected and repaired. It’s almost always best to catch a small problem before it turns into a major issue that might require more extensive (and expensive) repairs, such as a transmission replacement or rebuild.

Work with a Trusted Shop

If you want to keep your work truck’s transmission maintenance plan consistent, it’s best to work with a trusted local transmission repair shop. At Ralph’s Transmission, we are specially equipped to work on heavy duty trucks and larger utility vehicles. Our staff knows what it takes to keep your trusted work vehicles on the road. We can keep you on a regular maintenance plan and make the necessary recommendations for routine services and specialized repairs. We also offer fleet account services for business owners and civil services with larger vehicle fleets.

If you depend on your heavy duty work truck or service vehicles, you can count on Ralph’s Transmission to provide the highest standards of service. Call us today at 209-526-1909 or schedule your service appointment online.

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