When you buy a pickup truck, it should be built to last. The GMC Sierra is a powerful truck and one of the most highly regarded working trucks on the market. You will often see Sierras in utility fleets and as a personal adventure and project vehicles, putting in the miles and hauling a wide range of heavy cargo. But the real question is, how many miles does a GMC Sierra 1500 last?
Good question. Whether you’re doing a daily route around the city or taking your Sierra on long road trips packed high with camping gear, that mileage is the real determiner of your GMC Sierra 1500’s lifespan.
Average Lifetime of a GMC Sierra 1500
How long do GMC Sierras last? The average lifespan of a GMC Sierra is 250,000 miles. That’s about 15 years of regular commuter distances, not considering road trips. This distance assumes average maintenance and attention to problems as they might develop. Of course, with attentive and frequent maintenance, your Sierra could last much longer, while neglected trucks put under heavy strain can potentially break down sooner than the average lifespan.
With great maintenance, the GMC Sierra 1500s have been known to last over 500,000 miles of utility and adventure.
How To Extend the Life of Your GMC Sierra 1500
It’s only natural to want your favorite truck to last a long time, maybe even double the average lifespan. To do this, you’ll want to attend to a few routine maintenance tasks and be proactive about repairs when issues emerge in the truck’s later life.
- Routine Oil Changes: Get your oil changed every 6 months or 5,000 miles. This will keep your engine running clean and smooth.
- Regular Inspections: Catch issues early and ensure regular tune-ups for performance. Schedule an inspection and maintenance visit at least once a year.
- Post-Adventure Cleaning: Clean up your Sierra after you go off-roading or on wet adventures. A little wash and quick dry (or a wipe-down) can prevent rust and other issues from developing.
- Proactive Repairs: Be proactive about repairs. Replace parts when they show signs of wear so that they don’t have a chance to break or do further damage to other parts.
What Could Shorten the Lifespan of Your GMC Sierra 1500
What can you avoid to ensure your GMC Sierra 1500 lasts as many miles as possible? A few behaviors always put extra wear and tear on your truck and can shorten its lifespan.
- Aggressive Driving: Drive smart. You’ll get the best and longest performance by driving in tune with the vehicle’s engine. Don’t rev the engine or skid the tires on turns. Feel the engine and let the vehicle define its movement patterns.
- Oversized Loads: Be mindful of your loads, both in the truck bed and when towing. Overly heavy loads are more likely to wear down your truck early.
- Poor Attention to Maintenance: Be attentive to maintenance, both routine tune-ups and repairs. Neglecting your truck can result in problems that get worse over time.
- Rust and Corrosion: Watch out for signs of rust and corrosion, which, if left unattended, could degrade the quality of your truck.
Stop In Today To View Our Inventory of New and Used Cars
Interested in test-driving a GMC Sierra 1500? Not sure which truck is right for you? You are welcome to explore our full inventory of new and used cars to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and performance needs. Whether you have your heart set or an open mind, Visalia GMC is here to help you find the right vehicle today. Contact us to schedule a test drive or stop by any time.
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