Low Usage Maintenance
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
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Low Usage Maintenance
I recently acquired a car to do my daily driving to work and my truck now serves as primary vehicle for my part time business and any towing or camping/travel needs. The truck currently sees use only 1 day per week with the side business and come November will see even less use until next spring or during a good snowfall. Does anyone have any maintenance tips for a truck that sees limited use, if there is anything different? Truck is a 06, 250, 5.4, 4x4. Come spring it will get used almost daily until mid summer. Going from 16,000 miles a year to maybe less than 4,000 and avoiding all the salt baths NY is famous for during the winter which is great! Any info is appreciated.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
Once a week isn't too bad. When I was in Afghanistan for 23 months my truck was lucky if it was driven monthly at first. My wife got better about driving it, but she didn't like the way it handled in the snow so she didn't drive it in the winter.
When parked for the winter, put some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. If you can, also put a battery tender on the truck. Harbor Freight sells one for under $20.
When parked for the winter, put some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. If you can, also put a battery tender on the truck. Harbor Freight sells one for under $20.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 9
From: Ohio
Make sure you clean the under body before you park it in the winter. I learned that the hard way with my excursion. If you drive it every once in a while in the winter and then park it for a long period of time while keeping that salt on their, itll corrod like crazy!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 136
Once a week isn't too bad. When I was in Afghanistan for 23 months my truck was lucky if it was driven monthly at first. My wife got better about driving it, but she didn't like the way it handled in the snow so she didn't drive it in the winter.
When parked for the winter, put some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. If you can, also put a battery tender on the truck. Harbor Freight sells one for under $20.
When parked for the winter, put some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. If you can, also put a battery tender on the truck. Harbor Freight sells one for under $20.
Ok good thoughts. If we get a crazy winter I'll be using it more.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 136
Make sure you clean the under body before you park it in the winter. I learned that the hard way with my excursion. If you drive it every once in a while in the winter and then park it for a long period of time while keeping that salt on their, itll corrod like crazy!
Oh I've washed the truck and ice formed on my pants and boots because it was soo cold out. Not the smartest thing but I wanted that salt off. Also makes a nice ice rink out of a driveway washing the truck in the winter
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
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From: CA Bay Area
I have several vehicles/machinery that are parked for 6 or even 18 months at the time.
All I do is disconnect the battery and put a maintainer on them $5 on Harbor Freight sale.
No salt on California roads.
All I do is disconnect the battery and put a maintainer on them $5 on Harbor Freight sale.
No salt on California roads.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
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From: Corvallis, OR
I would use a battery maintainer, but don't disconnect the batteries since it will have to re-learn the transmission shifting every time you drive it.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
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Ford just put on new bedsides and wheelwells for me (corrosion warranty 
) so I want them to stay good and new. If my garage was tall enough I'd put the truck in there but its not . Although I've heard bad things about leaving a truck in a garage with a concrete floor. Something to do with the moisture from the floor? I'd honestly wouldnt mind not even driving it through the winter although I miss riding high in the truck and seeing everything.
) so I want them to stay good and new. If my garage was tall enough I'd put the truck in there but its not . Although I've heard bad things about leaving a truck in a garage with a concrete floor. Something to do with the moisture from the floor? I'd honestly wouldnt mind not even driving it through the winter although I miss riding high in the truck and seeing everything.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
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I have never used Fluid Film but have read so much about it on this site and some landscaping/plowing websites. Seems like good stuff to spray in all those nooks and crannies in the fenders. People have always told me to use Lithium grease, hydraulic oil, etc.....that worked on my other trucks. What is the advantage to fluid film over these substances?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
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I have never used Fluid Film but have read so much about it on this site and some landscaping/plowing websites. Seems like good stuff to spray in all those nooks and crannies in the fenders. People have always told me to use Lithium grease, hydraulic oil, etc.....that worked on my other trucks. What is the advantage to fluid film over these substances?
Hydraulic oil would probably be a similar product to use.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
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Good to know. I'm sure the 4x4 will see use during winter and i try to engage it at least once a month although my hubs are shot an need replacing (very hard to manual lock).
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 812
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From: Northwest Florida
Good topic. I too bought a puddle-jumper for daily use. Only use the truck occasionally during the off-summer months. I understand sun damages camper tires, so I keep them covered. Never hear anything about sun and truck tires. Are they different?