As a professional truck driver, you rely on your vehicle to travel from destination to destination to get the best profits for your business, especially during the busy summer season. However, as the temperatures rise during the summer, it can affect the performance of your truck and can even lead to damage requiring expensive repairs. That is why it is essential to keep up with preventative maintenance to reduce the chance of a breakdown. Here are some tips to keep your truck running smoothly during the summer season.
Tire Pressure
Your tires are one of the most important parts of your truck. If your tires are not maintained, it could cause more serious problems down the road. Maintaining the correct tire pressure is always extremely important, but even more so in the summer months with the extreme summer heat. High temperatures can cause the air in your tires to expand, increasing the risk of blowouts. Use your tire pressure monitoring system to keep a close eye on your tire pressure throughout the summer.
Truck Batteries
Batteries often get overlooked in the summer, but maintaining your battery is important all year round. Hot weather is more damaging to your batteries than cold weather, causing weak batteries to fail in extreme heat. Check your batteries regularly to accept a full charge and the electrolyte levels are full. Also, clean your battery terminals and wire ends while you are checking your batteries.
Fluid Levels
Your truck has a variety of fluids that it requires to run properly. Be sure to monitor all your fluid levels regularly and top them off if necessary. The summer temperatures can cause your engine to overheat more quickly than in the winter, so it is important to regularly check your coolant levels and coolant hoses. This is crucial as your vehicle will be likely to overheat if the coolant is not properly circulating through the engine. If you find any damage, replace the broken parts before you drive anywhere.
Oil and Filters
Winter driving can affect the quality of your oil over time. Extreme temperatures during winter and summer can have a negative effect, so beginning the summer season with poor oil can quickly impact your truck. Also, if you drive along dirt roads frequently, it can hinder your oil quality. When preparing for the summer, make sure to change your oil and filter to ensure your truck runs smoothly during trips.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star for all Your Trucking Needs!
Whether you are looking to upgrade your fleet to tow trucks or simply interested in the latest trucking technology, you can rely on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. We have provided top-notch service for the trucking industry for 30 years and would love to assist you in buying a new top-of-the-line truck, finding the specialty parts you need, or repairing your truck. Give us a call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474, or contact us online. To find out more about what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Tags: Freightliner, freightliner repair, truck engine repair