Taking care of these key maintenance items will ensure your truck is ready to roll in spring. If in doubt, bring your truck to the dealership for a full inspection.
What are some general maintenance tips moving from winter months into spring and summer?
Is there a difference of seasonal maintenance between today's newer model trucks and some older models? What are those differences and perhaps challenges replacing/maintaining parts?
There’s not a huge difference getting newer vs. older trucks ready for new seasons. One condition that can cause potential problems in older trucks transitioning into warmer weather is soot building up inside the engine EGR cooler over the winter. With warmer temperatures, a flush should be considered as the cooler has greater demands to control after treatment. If the truck has an SCR after treatment, then the diesel exhaust filter should be replaced.
What are some of the more common maintenance issues that pop up during warmer months, and how can drivers avoid them?
Most people view the spring and summer as safer for driving. However, this doesn’t mean drivers can get away with skipping seasonal maintenance. Cracks and damage to the body or suspension components, and paint stains or damage are common after winter months. When trucks transition into summer, don’t skip out on this maintenance. Ice hunks and icy or rough winter driving can give rise to quite a few issues. If these common issues or general seasonal maintenance are unaddressed, spring and summer driving can be much riskier drivers one would expect.
What are the most commonly overlooked maintenance issues going from winter to spring/summer driving?
The most commonly overlooked maintenance issues transitioning from colder to warmer weather is checking the air filters. There is a perception with winter and white snow that there’s less dirt in the air, but it’s the same. Checking and replacing air filters improves fuel economy and protects the engine from very expensive internal repairs. Another item that is overlooked is the driveline and suspension components. Thoroughly greasing the driveline and suspension components pushes old grease with road salt and winter grime out of suspension and brake component pivot points.
Don’t forget about your windshield maintenance.
Replacing truck windshields will reduce glare from any chips and the thousands of tiny scratches on the outside of the windshield from winter road sand picked up during winter. Longer daylight hours in spring and summer can mean more squinting through old windshields while driving. This is not only bad for eyes, but also a potential safety hazard. Click here to find out how Brandt Truck & Trailer maintenance inspections can optimize performance and keep you up and running.
