There's nothing like getting to know the country by going on a road trip. You'll get to experience the culture, weather and landscape of various states in order to get a better appreciation of America as a whole. Trucks are great for road trips, as they can tolerate rough terrains and are generally more hardy and durable. If you're planning on taking your truck with you on a long road trip, here are 3 truck parts that you might want to consider replacing in order to get better mileage, which can help you save a ton of money on gas.
Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensor in your truck is an important component of the emissions control system, as it measures oxygen levels within the engine. While it is a vital part to your truck's performance, it is often overlooked. If you are planning on going on a long road trip, make sure that the oxygen sensor is in great condition before you head out. If you have any doubts on the condition of the oxygen sensor or whether it will last for the entire duration of the trip, replace it.
A faulty or inefficient oxygen sensor will disturb the delicate air/fuel mixture of the engine and disrupt the engine timing and engine combustion intervals. It will cause too much fuel to be injected to the engine and will cause the engine to behave inefficiently, especially at lower engine speeds or when the truck is sitting idle.
Spark Plugs
The spark plug is essentially an electrical gadget fitted into the engine that turns your truck's engine on by igniting the fuel. It's also an important truck part that you should get inspected before you go on your road trip, as spark plugs get worn down quickly. If you have an older truck and haven't replaced the spark plug yet, there's a good chance that it needs to be replaced. A faulty spark plug will waste a lot of gas. Don't wait for the spark plug to be completely worn down before you replace it. Ask a mechanic to inspect the spark plug and give you a report on its condition.
Spark plugs misfire and have incomplete combustion occurrences more frequently during the last 20,000 miles of their lifespan. If you wait until the spark plug is completely worn down before you replace it, you'll waste approximately $562.50 in gas; however, it only costs between $130 to $168 to replace a spark plug.
Air Filter
The air filter removes incoming contaminants in order to keep the engine and fuel system clean so that it does not get clogged or affected in any type of way. With that said, you should replace your truck's air filter before the road trip, as a dirty air filter can increase your truck's fuel consumption by up to 10%. This is usually an easy job that you can do by yourself. You just have to purchase an air filter that is compatible with your truck's make and model.
If you don't feel comfortable replacing the air filter by yourself, get a mechanic to do the job. Fortunately, replacing your air filter should only cost on average between $58 to $96.
Conclusion
Before hopping in your truck for your road trip, get the truck inspected by a mechanic to confirm that all of the parts are functioning properly and in good condition. Don't wait and replace the parts that are nearing the end of their lifespan, as you definitely do not want your truck to malfunction or break down in the middle of nowhere. Replacing certain truck parts to get better mileage will also work out for you in the long run, as you'll save a lot of money that you would otherwise spend on gas. You can use that extra money to enjoy your trip even more.
