Tips for Driving Your Commercial Truck in the Summer
These tips can help you drive your commercial truck safely and comfortably in the summer. For more ideas, call our experts at Fyda Freightliner today. You can also visit us at any of our locations in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. We can’t wait to serve you!
Take Care of Yourself
Apply Sunscreen
The first thing you’ll want to do before you depart is use generous amounts of sunscreen to prevent sunburns and reduce the chances of getting skin cancer.
Wear Polarized Sunglasses
The harsh summer sun can cause various eye problems. They include eye irritation and reduced visibility due to the sun reflecting off of the road. In some severe cases, these issues can even cause eye damage. To prevent these problems and keep your eyes healthy, throw on a pair of polarized sunglasses while you’re on the road.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water while you’re driving, as your truck’s air conditioning may not be enough to keep you comfortable. Also, staying hydrated helps prevent a heat stroke and boosts alertness. If you feel uneasy, pull over and seek medical help immediately.
Check Traffic Conditions
Summer is synonymous with vacations. Due to this, the number of vehicles on the road increases considerably, leading to congestion and possible detours. That’s why you must check the traffic conditions on your route before you hit the road. This can help you get an accurate trip time estimation.
Maintain Your Truck
Due to the high summer temperature, your commercial truck may encounter various issues that can increase your downtime, delay your deliveries, and even jeopardize your safety while driving it. Some of these issues include an overheating engine, a tire blowout, and problems with the braking system.
To keep these issues at bay and ensure your safety, you’ll need to maintain your truck proactively and regularly.
The Coolant
The radiator fluid or coolant plays a significant role in protecting your truck’s engine from overheating. That’s why you’ll want to check the coolant at whichever checkpoint happens first:
- Every three months.
- Every 20,000 miles of driving.
- Every 500 hours of operation.
Also, you’ll need to ensure that your coolant is at the correct concentration levels and that it’s of good quality, not cloudy or discolored, and free of any debris.
The Air Conditioning
To stay comfortable, you’ll also need to maintain your truck’s air conditioning. Make sure you:
- Check filters for any debris and remove them as soon as possible.
- Look at the hoses to see if they have any cracks or leaks, especially at bends.
- Examine the hose fittings and connections to see they are tight.
The Tires
Finally, you’ll also want to ensure that your commercial truck’s tires are in top shape. Be sure to:
- Clean out any debris.
- Inspect each tire for signs of wear and tear.
- Check air pressure on each tire and adjust as needed.
- Measure the tread depth, and if you notice it’s low, consider replacing the tires.
We hope you find this guide helpful when driving your commercial truck in the summer. If you have any questions or are still in the market for a new truck, visit Fyda Freightliner. We have an excellent collection of trucks for sale, and our friendly staff can suggest models for your budget. To speak to our experts, call us today or come down to our dealership. We are proud to have locations in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, so stop by today.