Here are 5 ways to keep your truck in top-notch condition and stretch your maintenance dollar further. Following these tips is basically like getting a raise.

Keep Tires Properly Inflated – Sounds obvious, right?  But a lot of truckers don’t check their tires daily (yes daily!) to ensure their tires are properly inflated according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Tires that are inflated to the recommended PSI will help you achieve maximum fuel efficiency and prevent premature wear and tear.

Know When to Get Oil Changes – Make sure you know how many hours your truck should run between oil changes.  For example, your engine oil should be changed roughly every 250 hours (check the manufacturer’s information – it may vary).

Keep the Outside Clean – Keeping the outside of your cab clean isn’t just for the appearance; keeping it clean will allow you to quickly see any scratches, dents, or other damage that needs to be repaired.  This also helps keep the paint in good condition.

Watch your Gauges – Keep an eye on your gauges and if you’re a new driver, make sure you are familiar with everything inside that cab!  This will help immediately identify a problem so it can be fixed as soon as possible.

Automatic Shut Down/Start Up System
An automatic shut down/start up system or device does exactly what it sounds like: it can automatically shut the engine down or start it up based on certain factors determined by you, such as when the cab reaches a specific temperature or the engine’s been running a set time period.  The price tag of a system usually costs between $900 and $1,200.

Auxiliary Power Unit
Installing an APU can provide climate control and electrical power in your sleeper cab without idling during your downtime.  It’s estimated an APU can save approximately 20 gallons of gas a day and extend the life of the engine by nearly 100,000 simply by reducing long-term idling.  Since installing an APU can cost thousands of dollars (a bill many truckers have to foot themselves), the U.S. House of Representatives is considering a proposal that would provide truckers with federal tax credits of up to $3000 for idle-reduction systems.

Battery-Powered Devices
There are several different kinds of battery-powered devices designed specifically for commercial trucks.  Most allow you to plug in space heaters, portable air conditioning units, and other on-board appliances.