Spring Maintenance and Preparing for Last Minute Snow Storms
Spring weather can be unpredictable, but regular
maintenance checks can help you prepare your truck to handle anything, from a
surprise snow storm to spring showers. Now is the perfect time to assess the
impact winter has had on your truck in order to stay prepared for unexpected
weather and to help avoid unnecessary downtime.
Proper tire maintenance is essential to your
safety, fuel economy and uptime. This is especially true during volatile
weather conditions. Protect one of your biggest investments with routine tire
checks and thorough pre-trip inspections.
Check your inflation levels, tread depth and look
for any visible damage or debris stuck in wheel components. Cold weather naturally
causes tire PSI to drop; for every 10 degree change in air temperature, your
tire pressure can change by one to three PSI. With the unpredictable air
temperatures common in spring, it’s a crucial time to keep tabs on your tire
pressure. Also look for steam or melted snow coming off wheel hubs, as this
could indicate your wheel bearings are overheating. If necessary, give your
tires a warm wash before inspecting them, as this can help you identify any
potential warning signs of damage.
Whether your next route takes you through snow,
rain or sunshine, these pre-trip checks can help reveal any tire damage that
may have been hiding beneath snow or debris. Periodic inspections may also
reveal alignment wear on your tires. Stop into a TA Truck Service location to
have your wheels inspected by one of our TIA-certified technicians if you
discover alignment wear or other severe damage during one of your preventive
checks.
Winter can be tough on more than just your tires. Corrosion
often occurs naturally over time, but major causes of corrosion are multiplied
during winter. Acidic salt solutions are essential to keep our roadways safe,
but they can also do significant damage to your truck’s electrical system.
No matter where you’re headed, this is also a good
time to evaluate the impact of cold temperatures and harsh chemicals on your
truck’s electrical system. The acidic nature of highway de-icers will erode any
exposed connections or wires on your truck in no time. These chemicals can also
eat away at the frame, undercarriage and other exposed components on your truck.
A quick way to test your electrical circuit is to turn on your lights and look for
any dimly lit bulbs. If any lights are dim, it could be an indication of
resistance in the circuit and you should have your system inspected by a
professional technician.
On top of corrosion from de-icing chemicals, your truck’s
batteries are exhausted from working overtime during long, cold days. This
places an even larger demand on your electrical system, which makes periodic alternator
output and battery tests so important. It’s also a good practice to have your
cables and connections tested to help detect corrosion or loose connections.
Regular preventive maintenance checks can help you
identify any existing issues that may have been caused or worsened by winter,
and they can also help you prepare for the warmer days ahead.
If you don’t feel comfortable completing these
inspections yourself, stop into a TA Truck Service location near you to have
one of our professional technicians take a look. In addition to electrical system
inspections, battery performance inspections and advanced diagnostics tests, we
also provide unique services such as aftertreatment maintenance, wheel
alignment services and more at select sites across the country.
Whether we’re diagnosing an engine fault or making
sure your wheels are properly aligned, our goal is always to resolve any issues
and get you back on road safely and on time.