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How Often Should I Change Front or Rear Differential Fluid? John Baker | Apr 16, 2019 12:05 PM How often you should change front and rear differential fluid depends on your vehicle, driving conditions and differential fluid quality. That’s a vague answer, but it’s true. If you drive your truck primarily on the highway in temperate conditions and rarely tow or haul , you likely don’t need to change front or rear differential fluid very often. But, if you tow a trailer or haul supplies frequently and the temperature fluctuates as wildly as your health insurance premium , then you need to change differential fluid more often. The only way to know the exact mileage interval is to check your owner’s manual or visit the dealership. Differential fluid change intervals Why the varying fluid-change intervals? Because severe operating conditions break down differential fluid more quickly and place greater stress on the gears and bearings, inviting wear. The truck ma...

Eight Expert Boat Maintenance Tips

John Baker |      May 26, 2016 8:59 AM Tracker Marine/Bass Pro Shops Photography As fun as it is to own a boat, they can create several headaches if you neglect maintenance. Following these tips can help you stay on the water and out of the garage performing unplanned, expensive repairs. Check trailer tire pressure and condition – If you don’t get your boat to the lake, you can’t get to the fish. Trailer maintenance is often completely forgotten. It’s not uncommon to see someone pulled over alongside the highway because their trailer tire blew out. Trailer tires typically run at higher psi than automotive tires. Check the sidewall for the correct pressure, which is likely around 50 psi. A low tire equals a hot tire, and hot tires are more likely to blow out. Check for weather cracking. Trailer tires often sit outside year-round, exposed to the sun. Replace cracked tires and store your trailer with the tires elevated during the off-...

How Does Motor Oil Become Contaminated?

How Does Motor Oil Become Contaminated? Written by John Baker.  Mar 17, 2015 5:25:47 PM from AMSOIL Inc Blog Motor oil deteriorates and becomes unfit for service due to accumulation of contaminants in the oil and chemical changes (additive depletion and oxidation) in the oil itself. Abrasives • Dust and Dirt The design limitations of air cleaners, some oil fill caps and crankcase ventilation systems allow a certain level of dust and dirt into the engine, while leaks in the intake system can permit unfiltered air to enter the engine. Proper maintenance of the engine and its accessories can minimize the amount of contaminants entering the lubrication system and extend engine life. • Metal Particles Normal wear of engine parts produces very small metal particles that are picked up and circulated by the oil. Particles of road dust and dirt increase wear rates and generate larger, even more abrasive metal particles that are circulated through the engine by the oil. While ...