Tips and Tricks for Driving and Maintaining Isuzu Trucks
With their power steering and power windows, Isuzu trucks are popular among many drivers. Here are some tricks and tips you need to know for driving and maintaining them.
Keeping your truck in good working order is always a priority.
Of course, regular maintenance plays a huge role in ensuring the truck and its parts last as long as possible. However, your driving style and habits have just as much influence.
In this article, we look at Isuzu trucks.
One of Australia’s leading truck manufacturers, Isuzu builds a variety of trucks for various purposes. From the D-MAX, with its turbo intercooled engine, through to the versatile N Series, they have something for everyone.
We’re going to take a slightly more general route to give you some tips and tricks for your Isuzu truck.
Tip #1 – Have the Right Licence
Before you buy your truck, it’s crucial that you have the right car licence. A regular licence will allow you to drive any Isuzu truck up to 4.5-tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). Any higher than that and you’ll need a specific licence:
- LR – The truck has a GVM of between 4.5 tonnes and 8 tonnes. You’ll likely need this type of licence for a cab chassis truck.
- MR – For driving rigid vehicles with a GVM above 8 tonnes and no more than two axles.
- HR – Allows you to drive rigid vehicles above 8 tonnes with three axles.
Without the right car licence, you won’t be able to buy your truck in the first place.
Tip #2 – Conduct Your Daily Checks
Safety checks are always worth performing before you head out on the road.
Of course, you have the basics, such as:
- Coolant level
- Brake fluid
- Engine oil
- Filter cleanliness
Please confirm you have the appropriate levels of each fluid before you set out. Multiple long journeys in succession can really drain these resources. You don’t want to find yourself sitting on the side of the road because you didn’t bother to check the oil.
It’s also worth remembering that most Isuzu trucks have turbo diesel engines. These need a little extra TLC to keep them running at top capacity.
As long as you give the engine clean oil, fuel, and air, you shouldn’t have many problems.
Finally, it’s always worth checking the truck’s prime mover. If you’re transporting loads of several tonnes, you need to make sure it is in great condition.
Tip #3 – Drive Safely
Driving a truck obviously comes with an array of challenges you don’t face with a regular car. You’re dealing with an elongated vehicle that’s much more difficult to manoeuvre. And with some types, such as crane trucks, you have added weight to consider. Sudden movements with these trucks could lead to tipping. You have to be careful even when they’re stationary.
Otherwise, you may end up with an incident like what happened in Nanaimo, Canada:
Workers brought in a crane truck to help them with some roofing work. Unfortunately, they overloaded the crane, causing the entire truck to tip over.
The crane’s boom smashed through the roof of one of the buildings, causing extensive damage. Luckily, no one was injured. However, what happened is a stark reminder of how dangerous operating a crane truck can be.
Even if you’re not operating a crane truck, there are three key tips to keep in mind when driving Isuzu trucks:
- Even the D-MAX series is wider than your average car. You need to account for this added width on corners and bends. Swing out a little wider when taking a sharp turn.
- Check your route beforehand. The height of your truck may cause issues with overpasses and bridges.
- Trucks have more blind spots than cars. It’s a good idea to place tow mirrors in appropriate places, such as the pickup. These will help you to see where you’re going when reversing.
Tip #4 – Take Care of Your Tires
A swift kick is nowhere near enough when it comes to checking your Isuzu truck’s tyres.
It’s crucial to check for signs of wear and tear, such as cuts in the tread and sidewall. Getting a flat tyre is dangerous enough as it is. When you’re dealing with a truck weighing several tonnes, that danger gets magnified.
You also need to consider where you intend to drive in your truck. There are specific tyre types that suit on and off-road driving. Choosing one when you need the other leads to more wear and wasted money.
Finally, there’s the issue of inflation. Your owner’s manual will tell you the specific levels you need to hit. If you under inflate your tyres, you expose them to additional wear while driving. You can also create a danger while transporting heavy loads. It only takes a couple of oversights for a truck’s tires to go from underinflated to under capacity. In the latter case, you’re risking a blowout.
Don’t feel tempted to overinflate just to avoid that problem, though. You’ll still cause premature wear and tear. Plus, you’ll have all sorts of problems with ride quality. And you’ll place your suspension components under undue stress, causing them to wear out more quickly.
Take Care of Your Isuzu Trucks
Isuzu trucks range in price from about $50,000 for the D-MAX series up to hundreds of thousands of dollars for larger trucks.
That means it’s crucial to keep the truck in good condition. Making mistakes, whether in driving or maintenance, shortens the lifespans of key components. In the worst-case scenario, these mistakes can lead to crashes that wreck the truck (and possibly your life).
With these tips, you can take better care of your truck.
But first, you need a truck dealer that can provide you with everything you need.
At Truck Dealers Australia, we offer a wide range of trucks and components to serve your needs. Operating Australia-wide, we also offer truck finance where needed.
Would you like to find out more?
Head to our website to see all the Isuzu we trucks currently listed for sale by dealers around the country. We also have a number of Isuzu dealerships on our network who would be happy to help. These include: North East Isuzu, Brisbane Isuzu Burpengary and Gold Coast Isuzu.