Like many aspects of overlanding, keeping your vehicle in top condition and ready for your next adventure involves developing a mindset and body of knowledge and skills suitable to the task.

For some, overland vehicle maintenance is a Zen-like pursuit that they enjoy doing themselves; for others, it is something they prefer to have done by a qualified professional. In this episode, we take a look at both approaches as well as the middle ground of doing some D.I.Y. maintenance while also knowing when it’s time to involve a shop.

And speaking of shops, we take a look at the differences between dealerships and independent shops and the role both of these play in the maintenance of your vehicle. We also explore how to communicate with the mechanics who work on your machine so that you can trust in their work and know you are getting the best value for your money.

In this episode, you will learn the basics of maintaining your overland vehicle both at home and while on the trail, discovering what to look for when it comes to checking your vehicle’s fluids and torquing nuts and bolts to spec.

You will also learn what to look for when checking your air filter and how to know when it’s time to replace it along with best practices for changing your engine oil and filter.

Additionally in this episode, you will find pro tips for keeping your diesel engine running in winter and for optimizing the performance and longevity of both diesel and gasoline engines. You will also find an in-depth discussion about “Starter Batteries,” “Starters,” and “Alternators” which will help keep you from experiencing a vehicle that leaves you stranded by failing to start in the backcountry.

Matt, Ryan, and Jimmy have lots they are eager to share about all things involving overland vehicle maintenance. Join the discussion to find out what you need to know about vehicle maintenance to keep your vehicle reliable and to increase its longevity throughout a life of adventuring.

Read the full show notes on xoverland.com!