To keep your truck preserved, it is advisable to take some precautions related to its cleaning and maintenance. If the vehicle does not receive the proper treatment, its components will go into a fast process of wear because of the constant use on the roads and the inconveniences faced during the trips.
The ideal is to prioritize two types of maintenance: predictive and preventive. Predictive is performed with sound, vibration sensors, and data collection from the vehicle's computer to detect any type of change in its behavior. Problems are corrected before they become worse.
Preventive maintenance is carried out through periodic inspections, which extend the truck's useful life, and also by reducing the overload of important elements, such as shock absorbers, engine, and brakes, in addition to other actions. In this way, the vehicles are safe and guarantee more savings as well.
Below, RCC Auto Transport list 7 cares for the truck that will help preserve yours. Check out!
Calibrate tires and castors
A good tip to have your truck preserved is to perform a simple action: tire calibration. Calibration prevents alignment problems and promotes greater tire durability. In addition, the calibration offers adequate damping against the impacts of day-to-day life, further contributing to the truck generating more savings, as it helps to reduce fuel consumption and the emission of pollutants into the environment.
It is recommended to rotate the tires frequently to keep the wear between the front and rear balanced. When the end of the tire's useful life comes, it is ideal to change it.
Be careful with the truck about the load
Paying attention to the cargo does not mean just worrying about maintaining its integrity during the journey. Caring for the load is also essential to prevent damage to the vehicle itself, which can be impaired with a volume beyond what is allowed and bearable.
These imbalances generate wear and tear on the truck components, reducing the level of safety. The load must be distributed so that its weight is perfectly balanced. It is also essential to use good quality materials for mooring, preventing goods from falling, which also favors the vehicle's instability.
If the cargo carried is of a special type, care must be taken even more. This is what happens with animals, fuels, waste, toxic products, and other items. It is essential to choose the most suitable vehicle for a certain type of cargo, optimizing safety and preventing the truck from suffering unnecessary wear.
Anyway, problems with the cargo can compromise, not only its contents but the truck, the driver, customers, and even third parties (in the case of an accident involving other vehicles or pedestrians).
Check the Engine Oil
Paying attention to engine oil is one of the main precautions for the truck. Engine oil has three important functions:
- Lubrication of parts to reduce friction;
- System cooling;
- Sealing against combustion gases.
It is of utmost importance to ensure the conservation of the engine and all its parts. Always check the oil level and its viscosity, making sure that it can perform its functions efficiently. The oil change needs to be done periodically, respecting the estimated period, and only the product indicated by the manufacturer should be used.
Adopt good driving practices
Driving well is not something that all drivers know how to do. And good steering helps to avoid different problems, making the truck last longer, pollute the environment less and save more gas or diesel.The good practices behind the wheel constitute what is called “economic direction”. They include:
- do not make sudden braking;
- do not rest your feet on the pedal;
- accelerate carefully, no matter what type of terrain;
- pass the gears moderately;
- do not use the clutch to modify the engine speed;
- to avoid driving very harmful vices, such as walking on the “toothless”, which is to guide the vehicle by disengaging downhill.
Another harmful driving practice that is worth mentioning is that of taking upturns and other products or mixtures considered to be energetic. A lot is used, for example, carbonated soda mixed with coffee. The solution is temporary, as they cause damage to health and do not prevent possible accidents, as sleep can surprise the driver while he is driving, even after he has drunk the substance.
Use good quality fuel
Using good quality fuel is one of the cares that are a priority, considering the common counterfeiting and adulteration that currently exists at gas stations. Poor quality fuel reduces the life of the truck, which can cause problems such as nozzle clogging, loss of engine power, and increased fuel consumption (since bad diesel tends to yield less). Stay alert to the places where you usually fill your truck and check with other truck drivers for the most reliable service stations.
Check the coolant
The coolant is a fluid that cools the engine, allowing it to run at a more appropriate temperature. This fluid must be checked before leaving with the truck, verifying whether or not it is at the correct levels. If you notice the need to complete the levels too often, it may mean that there is a leak in the reservoir.
It is important to verify this possibility.Traveling with the coolant at very low levels can damage the engine components. Overheating tends to have serious consequences. If you notice disturbances with the temperature, the ideal is to look for a mechanic as soon as possible.
Be careful when buying junkyard parts
A conventional way that truckers find to save on vehicle maintenance is by buying junkyard parts. This, however, is not always the best way out. It may even cost more. It is true that, despite the name, it is possible to find new and semi-new pieces in the junkyard, or that are in really good condition and usability.
But it is necessary to be sure of this so as not to compromise road safety.When in doubt, buy the parts in another location, ineffective new condition and with warranty. Some components that you should not take chances with, as they are very related to safety, are the engine, the headset, the gearbox.
On the other hand, certain items that do not interfere so much with safety can be purchased in junkyards if they are in good condition: handles, benches, and even lanterns or headlights.
We at RCC Auto Transport ,show 7 cares with the truck that helps to preserve it and optimize the safety of the cargo and the driver. It is worth noting the tips!