When you top off your fluids, ensure you use a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water.
Your semi-truck has a lot of moving parts, both literally and also figuratively – there’s a lot to stay on top of to keep it in good shape. You have to make sure that you’re getting your routine maintenance done, keeping your truck clean, and checking yourself wheels and fluid levels regularly. One of those fluids is your coolant, the liquid responsible for keeping your engine from overheating. The semi-truck coolant system is a hugely important part of your truck, so keeping up with its maintenance is vital. Read on to learn more.
When You Top It Off
Occasionally you will need to top off your coolant without doing a full system flush. When you do, make sure that you’re using the right type and mix of coolant. First, make sure that you’re using the correct coolant for your semi-truck and for your driving conditions. There are differences between brands as well, so if you’re not sure, ask your mechanic. Next, when you top off your fluids, make sure that you’re using a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water. You should not top it off with straight coolant (or straight water) since this will alter the viscosity of the fluid and may make it not work as well. Additionally, don’t use just any tap water either. Make sure that you’re mixing your coolant with highly purified and deionized water. Water that has been treated, such as with a water softener, could leave sodium behind in your coolant system that will cause corrosion.
When You Replace It
Next, when it is time to flush out your coolant system and completely replace the coolant, make sure that you are doing it right. Talk to your mechanic about the correct type of flush and how regularly you should have it done, and then stick to that schedule. Make sure that the system is drained to the manufacturers specifications (this is best done by a professional mechanic) and that the coolant is replaced with the proper type. Finally, between flushes, make sure that you’re testing your coolant system to make sure that it is operating correctly, especially before you head out on super long hauls. The biggest thing you need to regularly check is the coolant levels of your semi-truck (and top off if necessary), but you should also talk to your mechanic about a tool for checking the viscosity of the coolant so you can stay on top of that.
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Tags: baltimore freightliner, Freightliner parts, semi-truck