Time for That Spring Tune Up
You and your truck are both springing from the cold dreary days of winter to the pleasant warm days ahead. That means now is the time to assess the impact of the harsh chemicals used to keep the roads clear in winter, the possible damage to your tires from obstacles hidden under the snow and ice and the load demanded of your batteries and alternator from the extended hours of darkness experienced in winter months.
The harsh salt solutions applied to many highways in North America during winter months can wreak havoc on the electrical systems of your tractor and trailer. The acidic nature of these chemicals will erode any exposed connections or wire in a short period of time. Simply turn on your lights and look for any dimly lit bulbs or LED. This can be an indication of resistance in the circuit. The root cause should be determined and repaired by a professional technician.
Another critical step is to look for any exposed electrical connection or butt connector. All butt connectors should have heat shrink over them to help seal out any acidic chemicals. If you see any exposed wires or terminals, have them repaired properly. Keep in mind that brine is a salt water solution. It will work its way through any opening in a plug or harness and make its way to the metal portion of a circuit. This will lead to corrosion and possible downtime. It is always best to perform a thorough inspection and correct these problems before they arise at an inopportune moment.
As you traveled over various roadways this past winter you undoubtedly encountered snow and ice. Unfortunately, debris can hide under the snow and ice resulting in deep cuts in the tread and/or sidewall of your tires. That’s why a meticulous inspection of all tires just after winter is crucial.
It is amazing how many times this inspection reveals severe tire damage. These inspections can reveal a lot, from exposed cords on tires to an entire lug missing around the entire circumference of the tire – typically due to a tire that is spinning on a rough or jagged surface.
It is also important to look for alignment wear on tires. For instance, finding toe wear on the steer axle tires, means you should take a hard look at the tie rod cross tube and inspect it for damage. If it is bent, the toe angles of the tires will be impacted resulting in a condition that will rapidly wear out both steer tires.
Although you must be extremely cautious whenever working near or with batteries, the batteries and the alternator must be inspected too. Before starting the inspection, put on proper eye and face protection along with a nitrile apron and sleeve length gloves.
Remember, the batteries have worked overtime during the long nights of winter and during those cold mornings. The extreme cold mornings or nights when you must crank your vehicle are brutally hard on your batteries. The metal parts in your engine are cold and the oil is thick, which makes it harder for the starter to turn the engine. This places a high amperage demand on the batteries. You may experience longer cranking times as well, especially if your intake heater and/or block heaters are not operating to optimal levels.
Once the engine starts, the alternator takes control of the electrical system and supplies the demand. Because you are using your lights for longer periods of time in the winter, the alternator must work harder. Have your batteries tested as well as your alternator output. It is always a good practice to have your cables and connections tested at the same time which could detect corrosion or loose connections.
If anything looks awry during your self-inspections, it is important to have a professional technician diagnose and address the issue. Not only were technicians at TA Truck Service voted most competent, but they were also voted most trusted to perform the job right and they work with the widest selection and inventory of truck parts, which means you can trust them to ensure your truck’s spring starts off right.
With a little focus on your electrical system, tires, batteries and charging systems you can leave cold weather in the dust and enjoy the warm, trouble free days ahead.
Written By Homer Hogg, TA Truck Service Manager of Development
To hear more from Homer, listen to Maintenance Matters every first and third Thursday of the month at 7 a.m. CT on the Dave Nemo Show, RoadDog Trucking Radio, SiriusXM channel 146.