Tips to Ensure Your Vehicles Are Ready for the Summer Heat

We may be in the middle of summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to prepare your fleet of tractor trailers for long, cross-country voyages on hot summer days. At United Diesel Power, we offer special deals on summer fleet maintenance in Memphis, TN so you can ensure all your trucks are ready for these hot journeys.

Taking care of your vehicle in this way, to prepare for journeys in extreme temperatures, is important, because the heat, dust, towing and humidity will all take their toll on your trucks. Here are a few checks to make and steps to take to ensure your vehicles are ready for the summer heat:

• Air conditioning: Truck drivers aren’t going to want to travel too far without air conditioning during the dog days of summer. Therefore, you should have your system fully inspected by a qualified technician. Change the cabin air filters, make sure the fan motors are working and check to see that the cabin is actually getting cool.
• Coolant: The single most common cause of breakdowns in the summer is overheating. Your coolant system must be completely flushed and refilled every 24 months, but even before that time you’re going to need to check your coolant levels and make sure you maintain a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. This coolant protects your system on even the hottest days of the summer, lowering the risk of a breakdown.
• Oil: You should keep up with regular oil changes at all times of the year. If you make frequent short trips, or extended trips with a trailer, you should change your oil more regularly. Otherwise, longer trips with lower weights will extend the life of your oil. This is one of the simplest yet most important preventative maintenance steps you can perform on your vehicles.
• Windshield wipers: The summer months bring lots of rain and dust, so if your windshield wipers aren’t in good condition, it’s going to be hard for you to keep your field of vision clear. Change your wiper blades, and fix any problems that might exist with your windshield wiper motor.
• Lights: Inspect all lights on your vehicle, and replace any burned-out bulbs you find. During the summer, you’ll also probably need to clean off these lights more regularly, as they’re prone to collect dirt and insects. Always use a damp rag to prevent scratching of the lenses.
• Tires: You should rotate your tires every 5,000 miles or so, and routinely check your tire condition and pressure. Proper tire pressure ensures even tread wear, which will keep your vehicle in good condition for longer periods of time. If your tires are in bad shape, get them replaced before any long trek occurs.
• Brakes: You need to keep your brakes in good shape, especially if you’re towing anything. Change pads, rotors or shoes as necessary.

For more tips about how to keep your vehicle in great shape during the summer months, contact United Diesel Power to learn about how we can help with fleet maintenance in Memphis, TN. Be sure to ask about our current special: an AC check, evaluation and refill for only $110!

Categorised in: Fleet Maintenance

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