The Associated Press

FORT RECOVERY, Ohio - Tom Olding needs to drive fewer than 100 miles to push his pickup past the million-mile mark.

The 65-year-old from Fort Recovery, near the Indiana border, delivers Airstream trailers for KBT Trucking Co. He tows them 240 days a year with his 1995 Dodge Ram, and says the truck's extended cab makes a comfortable bed.

The pickup still has its original diesel engine. Mr. Olding's secret to extending the vehicle's life is oil and filter changes every 9,000 miles, which he does himself, and a light touch on the gas pedal.

"I try to run the exact speed limit," he said. "If you go higher than that, you don't get the good fuel mileage."

He estimates he's bought 66,555 gallons of fuel and 250 gallons of oil. KBT pays him by the mile and reimburses him for tolls and permits.

Mr. Olding gives "a whole truck load of thanks" to Tom Huelsman of Huelsman Automotive in Chickasaw, who's done all repair work.

"Any diesel is built pretty rugged," said Mr. Huelsman, who said Mr. Olding probably will coax another quarter million miles out of the truck.