A food truck is a restaurant and a vehicle, so it requires regular maintenance to keep running smoothly. Keeping up with preventative maintenance tasks will save you money in the long run.
Regularly scheduling maintenance for your appliances and devices can prevent potential issues. Here are some top tips to help you stay on track.
Change Your Oil
Your food truck will last longer and remain healthier with routine oil changes. Visit a food truck repair shop and check your owner’s manual for your car’s suggested oil change schedule.
Watch your fluid levels, especially engine coolant. It will prevent your food truck from overheating. Check the status by popping the radiator cap (make sure the engine is excellent). Also, keep an eye on the washer fluid.
Change Your Filters
Many food truck owners overlook the importance of preventative maintenance until their vehicle breaks down. A comprehensive checklist can help you stay on track with your business’s regular maintenance needs.
For example, it is a good idea for food trucks to switch to snow tires during the winter because of the unique design that helps them perform better on icy roads.
Check Your Brakes
Food trucks are built for mobility, and that means they have to be able to stop on a dime. Ensure your brakes are in good condition to avoid costly repairs down the road.
Cleaning your entire truck and equipment regularly is essential for food safety and meeting health code requirements. It includes logging your fridge and device temperatures to ensure you pass health inspections.
Check Your Transmission
Food trucks offer their owners the flexibility to go anywhere they please and a lower maintenance cost than brick-and-mortar restaurants. The owner must take advantage of these advantages by regularly checking their vehicle.
Checking your transmission fluid is a simple process. However, allow the engine to warm up before locating the dipstick tube (consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions).
Check Your Battery
With food truck popularity rising, many people are interested in starting their mobile restaurants. Before investing in a new truck, it’s essential to understand the maintenance requirements of owning a food truck.
A dead battery can cost you thousands of dollars if not addressed promptly. Check your battery regularly for cracks or other damage and to ensure it is appropriately charged.
Check Your Tires
Your food truck’s engine is the heart of your entire business. It needs to run smoothly and be able to travel far and wide.
Ensure you check your oil regularly (check the manufacturer’s recommendations), your filters, and other vehicle parts. You may also want to invest in snow tires for the winter.
To test your tire pressure, place a penny head-down into the tread. Your tires are too low if you can see Lincoln’s whole head.
Although food trucks are a unique business model that offers many benefits over a brick-and-mortar restaurant, it is still vital to maintain your truck. It prevents costly repairs and keeps your business running smoothly.
Test your tire pressure regularly to help evenly distribute your food truck’s weight and ensure your tires are safe to drive. You can check your air pressure by putting a Lincoln penny head down into each tread groove.
The tires on a food truck are often overlooked. But, like any other vehicle, they need to be inspected regularly. Check for wear and tear, as well as tire pressure. Tires with low air pressure tend to wear out much faster than properly inflated ones.
Place a penny head-down in the groove to test your tire tread depth. If you can see Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace the tire.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Food trucks are more than just a vehicle; they’re also a restaurant. That means they need regular maintenance to keep everything running smoothly.
Checking your tire pressure regularly helps evenly distribute the food truck’s weight. It will also help you save money by reducing the fuel needed to drive your vehicle. Check your tire pressure when the tires are cold since going heats them and causes them to expand.
Food trucks can rack up some serious miles. That’s why checking your tire pressure regularly is essential.
Find your tire air valve (usually a tiny tube poking out of the wheel) and unscrew the cap. Next, use a tire pressure gauge and compare the reading to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI. Add or release air as necessary. It only takes a few minutes and will save you money in the long run.
