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If you are a fleet owner or operator, repair and maintenance costs can form a significant portion of your fleet’s operating costs. That is why it is highly necessary to select the right mechanic or professional technician to handle repair and maintenance tasks to keep your fleet in top shape. You can also rely on an outside maintenance and repair provider to help you lessen the possibility of unexpected breakdowns since these are the most costly to repair. 

While seeking a mechanic or an outside repair service can save you from costly repairs, there is one effective way to save you some more money. And that is by ensuring your truck drivers learn or know at least basic DIY truck repairs. This is especially important when truck problems unexpectedly arise when they are out on the road. 

Here are five DIY-friendly truck repairs that truck drivers can pull off easily:

Changing the oil

Oil is the lifeblood of the engine. It is an essential item when it comes to the health and performance of your truck. However, frequent use of the engine and running the vehicle non-stop can reduce its efficiency, so this is where an oil change comes in.

Not so long ago, a truck oil change would have been performed as frequently as every 500 miles. But because of the use of cleaner fuels, higher quality lubricants, heavy-duty engines, and improved oil filters, today an oil change can be performed every 50,000 miles or more. 

While the larger size of the truck can be a bit intimidating when it comes to an oil change, its higher capacity actually means a greater opportunity to save money when you do the task yourself. Just make sure to use a drain pan with enough capacity, so you won’t have to deal with an overflowing, sloshing container of oil. 

Replacing the spark plugs

The spark plugs are responsible for delivering electric current to the combustion chamber from the ignition system. They typically have a life expectancy of about 45,000 kilometers. But built-up carbon, corrosion around the connections, and dirt or other damaging elements can cause them to deteriorate over time. 

Spark plugs that are defective or have not been changed for a long time can cause starting issues, rough engine idle, and high fuel consumption. When left ignored for a long time, these can lead to more serious problems and cost you a lot of money and fuel. So, be sure to replace them right away. 

Replacing the spark plugs may seem like a challenging project, but you can get the job done yourself with the right tools and steps. Be sure to use the spark plugs that meet the original manufacturer's specifications for precise fit and function. 

Repairing a cracked windshield

The windshield is one of the most important safety features of your truck. So, when it becomes cracked or damaged, repair should be a priority because the longer you wait, the more likely the crack is to spread. You would never want this to happen because a cracked windshield is not only distracting and unattractive but also makes accidents more dangerous. 

While having the entire windshield replaced with the help of an auto glass repair service may sound tempting, repairing a noticeable crack in the windshield is actually fairly simple to accomplish yourself. All you need is a windshield repair kit that will help keep the crack from spreading. This will only cost you about $15, so why wait?

Replacing the windshield wiper blades

Visibility is key when it comes to safer truck driving. That is why you should never take those windshield wiper blades for granted. They can save your life when driving in harsh weather conditions. 

But, just like any other heavy duty truck parts, the wiper blades also wear out after a period of time. Ideally, they should be replaced every six months. However, if you start noticing squeaking, chattering, or slapping noises and streaks across the windshield when you press the washer button, then it’s high time you replace the wiper blades.  

Replacement wiper blades often cost only about $10 to $50, and they are fairly easy to install, just like the ones from Trico. Meanwhile, in repair shops or dealerships, it will cost you more plus a labor fee of $50 to $100 if you let them do the installation. 

Changing a light bulb

Your truck consists of many different lights, including headlights, tail lights, signal lights, side marker lights, and backup lights. And they all play a crucial role in keeping you safe on the road, especially when driving at night, in poorly lit areas, and during harsh weather conditions. Because of this, drivers must ensure their rigs' lights are fully functional at all times. 

But no matter how careful you are when driving, your lights’ bulbs will still get damaged over time. It’s easy to tell when your lights are failing—they start either emitting very dim light or flickering on and off. When any of these happens, it won’t be long before the lights totally go out. 

Damaged lights will put not only your driving safety but also those around you at risk. Other road users will not be able to determine how wide your truck is or how fast your rig is approaching. And even if no accidents occur, the police will absolutely pull you over and give you a ticket or a warning. It may be a minor traffic violation, but a ticket is a ticket.

Fortunately, it’s often easy to change the bulbs of any of your vehicle lightings. Simply pop them out from behind the housing, unplug the wiring, swap for working bulbs, and that’s it. Just make sure you are using the correct replacement bulb—you can verify this through your truck’s manual. 

While the repairs mentioned above are absolutely DIY-friendly, it is still imperative that you do your research before you get started and follow the steps to the T to avoid any untoward incident. Also, make sure to install only high-quality replacement heavy duty truck parts to ensure your truck’s on the road at all times.