Just as you protect your eyes and skin from the summer heat, your truck should also receive some preventative TLC to ensure that the season doesn’t take a toll on its mechanics. Truck maintenance, while important year-round, is especially crucial when the weather warms up, as the quality of the internal and external components of the vehicle can diminish quickly. To protect your auto investment, start with a thorough understanding of common, heat-related threats and how a truck service can help. 

3 Things You Should Know About Summertime Truck Maintenance 

1. Protect Against Battery Corrosion

Truck batteries contain fluid, and when they are exposed to temperatures over 86 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period, some of it will start to evaporate. If a battery’s fluid levels drop quickly and significantly, it will increase the mercury contents, causing the battery to complete chemical reactions more quickly. Corrosion begins as a chemical reaction and will eventually spread and shut down the battery, leaving you stranded until a truck service arrives.

2. Resist Fading Brakes

Brake fading means the temporary reduction of braking power for your truck. When exposed to heat for too long, the brake pads and rotors are no longer able to generate enough friction to stop the vehicle smoothly. While preventative truck inspections will determine whether your brake pads are worn out going into the summer season, hot days can cause them to fade quickly. If you are having braking issues, call your truck maintenance company as soon as possible to replace the pads or rotors.

3. Maintain Tire Pressure

Truck tires are designed to be sturdy and heat-resistant, but they are prone to softening while traveling over scorching hot pavement for a long period. Eventually, this will cause the tire pressure to decline, decreasing traction and causing premature wear. Luckily, maintaining tire pressure is easy and inexpensive. 

Get a head start on preparing your commercial trucks for the Rochester, NY, heat by calling the team at DeCarolis Truck Rental. For more than 75 years, this team of skilled mechanics has provided comprehensive truck and trailer repairs to keep each of their clients safe on the road. If you’re in the market for a long-term truck maintenance plan, they also offer leases that include full-service upkeep and nationwide support. Visit them online for more information about how they can keep your vehicle operating correctly or call (585) 427-2670 to speak with a representative.