Get Your Semi Ready for the Heat This Summer

Semi trucks are powerful machines, capable of moving great amounts of cargo over long distances. But these powerful machines must be properly maintained, and that includes giving them the correct preparation for each season. There are many things to consider when it comes to semi truck summer prep.

First of all, consider that a semi truck may be passing through a great variety of weather conditions. That means you may experience extreme temperatures and conditions on a regular basis, all while moving at high speeds without a lot of time to stop and take care of mechanical problems. This means that readying your truck for summer is even more important since you don’t want to have to be fixing it on the road.

Here are some semi truck summer prep tips.

Getting ready for summer

For semi trucks, the needs for summer weather conditions are different than those for winter weather conditions. Here are some things to consider for readying your truck for summer:

• Air conditioning: Chances are you may not have used your air conditioner much during the winter. In the summer, though, it’s as essential as a heater is in winter. With the A/C system fully charged, leave it running while you check for leaks or cracks in the tubing. Make sure to replace any broken parts to get the most out of your A/C and maximize gas mileage.
• Batteries: It’s important to keep an eye on the battery’s lifespan in cold weather, but it’s easy to forget about it in warm weather. Extreme heat can cause a battery to fail just like extreme cold can, so make sure it holds charge well and it’s properly connected.
• Tire pressure: Cold air compresses the air in the tires of a semi truck to the point that it might look like the tires are low on air. The natural response to this is to put more air in the tires. But when the weather warms up, that air expands and can make the pressure in your tires too high. When summer comes around, make sure to check your tire pressure regularly to keep it from getting too high.
• Coolant and hoses: It’s imperative to keep the coolant level full in summer months to keep your semi truck from overheating. Along with this, make sure to replace any cracked or broken hoses in the coolant system; otherwise, you might find yourself on the side of the road with an overheated engine.
• Driver protection: In addition to the semi truck, you need to make sure the driver is cared for and ready for summer driving conditions. That means packing a medical kit, an extra set of clothes and plenty of drinking water. You never know where you might be when the unexpected happens, and it’s best to be prepared just in case.

When you need to complete a thorough semi truck summer prep, contact S & R Repairs Towing & Recovery Inc. today to make sure everything’s working smoothly, inside and out.

Categorised in: Semi Truck Maintenance