Truckers Can Avoid the Need for Unnecessary Roadside Assistance This Summer by Following These 4 Big Rig Maintenance Tips
Anyone who drives a truck knows how difficult this business can be. As a truck driver, the last thing you need is to get stuck in the middle of nowhere requiring roadside assistance. Whether its damaged truck parts, faulty steering wheels, or other problems, big rig repairs can be expensive. Summer is especially a worrisome time as it requires you to take extra care of your vehicle. That’s why it is recommended that you consider some easy maintenance tips in order to make sure that your big rig is in its best running condition.
Following are 4 big rig maintenance tips that will help you avoid the need for unnecessary roadside assistance this summer:
1. Monitor the Oil
It is highly recommended that you take the time to check your oil, particularly before a long haul. Monitoring the oil is especially important if you are dealing with a new rig or there has been some serious work done on it. A big rig’s powerful engine requires lots of oil and if you don’t monitor it regularly then it will harm your engine pretty quickly. As a result, your truck may break down, requiring roadside assistance. Not to mention the repair and replacement of truck parts will cost you a fortune.
2. Check the Fuel Vent
Check the fuel vent before hitting the road after a multiple-day or overnight stop. The fuel vent of trucks can quickly become clogged. Insects often build nests inside during the summer that results in blockages, causing the truck to behave as if it is out of fuel. Apart from this, your truck may reduce fuel efficiency and mimic other problems. That’s why checking the fuel vent on a regular basis is highly recommended.
3. Monitor the Tires
Tires on your big rig are one of those items that receive the most abuse, so they require a lot of monitoring. It is recommended that you check your rig’s tire pressure at least once a week. Tire pressure may fluctuate depending on the driving speed and weather, particularly on the highway. If the tires are underinflated, then it can make steering more difficult and also impact fuel mileage. Similarly, it is also important that you make sure that they aren’t overinflated because overinflated tires are more prone to pothole damage and punctures. Monitoring the tires may take up a bit of time as there are 18 of them, but it is worth it.
4. Monitor the Radiator
Along with having good pressure and oil flow, your big rig also needs a radiator that is filled with a clean coolant. Check the radiator on a regular basis and top off the coolant as necessary. Have the radiator flushed regularly and always use the right refrigerant for your truck’s engine. If you notice a coolant leak, then deal with it immediately because a lack of refrigerant can destroy your big rig’s engine just as quickly as a lack of oil.
Plaza Towing has been serving the roadside and vehicle transporting needs of Coachella Valley since 1969. With locations in Palm Desert and Indio, and a fleet of over 30 tow trucks, Plaza Towing is able to handle every roadside service challenge and meet every towing need. Offering light duty towing, medium duty towing, heavy duty towing, specialized trailer transport, and private party impounds, one or more of our tow vehicles are always out on the road providing quality service to both individual and commercial customers somewhere in Coachella Valley. Readily available 24/7/365, contact Plaza Towing to get a truck dispatched to your location either now, or at a planned time of your choosing. Reach us online, or call us now at (866) 775-4314!