If you’re a commercial trucker or owner-operator, keeping your truck in top condition is just as important during the summer as it is any other time of the year. Here are some things you should do to ensure the risk of breaking down in the heat is greatly reduced.
Have Regular Maintenance Performed
You should ideally have your coolant flushed at least once a year. While flushing your fluid, have your mechanic perform a complete inspection of your cooling system to ensure problems are detected early on. Part of this inspection should include:
- A cooling system pressure check
- An inspection of your radiator cap to check for swelling
- A check of your exhaust system
- Checking the general condition of your belts and hoses
- An inspection of your radiator and air conditioning coils
Tires
Your tires are more susceptible to blowing during the heat. As such, you should inspect them more frequently-even as often as every 100 miles in extreme conditions. Maintaining the correct pressure is extremely crucial; however, you should avoid the temptation to remove too much air or else the tires will have too little pressure when they cool off. Having tires that are low on air can be just as dangerous as having ones with too much air. Whenever possible, check tires when they are cool so you can obtain an accurate reading.
Other Checks
You should also check other components of your truck on a regular basis, including:
- Engine oil
- Battery cables
- Belts and hoses
- Brakes
By keeping your truck in good condition, you can hopefully avoid breakdowns that can not only be frustrating, but costly. For more tips on keeping your truck in excellent condition, please feel free to contact us.
