
The winter season is officially behind us. The springtime sun has melted away all that accumulated snow, ice, salt, and mud that typically leaves layers of grime on your prized fleet of trucks. With warmer weather, driving a truck can be so much easier and manageable. It’s also a golden opportunity to do some spring cleaning and maintenance that is suited to warmer seasons such as spring and summer.
1. Check batteries, plugs, and wires
This is especially important after a winter of cold starts because of the season’s weather. Inspect your batteries, plugs, and wires because they are working harder during the winter months and depending on the effect of winter, they might need to be either repaired or replaced when the spring season comes around. Winter wear and tear can compromise and significantly impact the truck’s batteries, plugs, and wires by up to 60 percent.
2. Inspect the truck’s brakes
Cold weather can cause serious wear and tear on your truck’s brakes. If you’ve spent a lot of time throughout winter driving on snow or ice, then the brakes might be damaged. Done Right Services advises that you check the entire brake system including parking brakes, lines, brake fluids, and hoses. Bear in mind that they are the most used and abused vehicle components so it is important to maintain them regularly.
3. Test suspension and wheel alignment
This is an often overlooked step that can’t afford to be missed because spring is infamous for potholes. It is important to maintain and align the truck’s rig beforehand so that you prevent the vehicle from escaping it's alignment later on. Proper alignment can truly make your drive so much smoother.
4. Check and maintain tire pressure
You might notice that tire pressure is reduced and this is because of colder temperatures. Make time to regularly check the tires’ pressure throughout the entire year rather than just during the winter months. If the tire pressure is too low, it can lead to premature wear on them and decrease the fuel mileage.
5. Ensure all fluids are at proper levels
Similar to checking tire pressure, checking your truck’s fluids are at proper levels is something that should be done year-round. Low or dirty fluid may affect performance and can even lead to break downs. Fluids to check periodically are engine oil transmission fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze/coolant, and windshield wiper fluid. We advise you to check your fluids ahead of time so that you avoid being stuck on the side of the road waiting for roadside assistance to come and help you.
The spring season is a great time and golden opportunity to inspect key areas of mechanical maintenance such as oil change (schedule one at the beginning of the season), topping off other fluids as previously explained, and making sure the brakes are in good working order so that you don’t find yourself in a scary summer situation. Cold weather conditions can take a toll on the vehicle’s battery so make sure it has plenty of juice still left inside of it.
By employing the above, you can ensure a robust driving season with minimal technical issues or safety risks, which are of utmost importance while on the road for long periods of time as a truck driver.
6.Inspect the truck’s windshield wipers
Cold winter temperatures and harsh weather can cause your windshield wipers to work overtime so that heavy snowfall doesn’t impede your view. Salt from the road may spray back and get all over them and at times may even freeze them altogether. Make sure to replace old wipers, or clean your existing ones so that you don’t run into problems when the first spring downpour hits.
7. Spend time on exterior maintenance
During the cold winter season, salt is distributed on the roads so that snow can melt and makes winter driving less cumbersome. However, it can cause serious damage to your truck’s paint job and eventually lead to corrosion. Spring is a great time to give your truck a thorough cleaning because the weather is warmer, while paying close attention to the undercarriage so that all potential sources of rust are taken into account. This is also an opportune time to wax your truck, which will help it shine, maintain its value, and protect its paint job.
The spring season is a great time and golden opportunity to inspect key areas of mechanical maintenance such as oil change (schedule one at the beginning of the season), topping off other fluids as previously explained, and making sure the brakes are in good working order so that you don’t find yourself in a scary summer situation. Cold weather conditions can take a toll on the vehicle’s battery so make sure it has plenty of juice still left inside of it.
By employing the above, you can ensure a robust driving season with minimal technical issues or safety risks, which are of utmost importance while on the road for long periods of time as a truck driver.
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