Winter weather can take a toll on cars, and summer can do the same thing! Read these summer maintenance tips for hard-working trucks to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
Examine the Fluids Once a Month
The summer heat can cause transmission fluid, oil, coolant, and other fluids to evaporate quickly. Before you know it, there isn’t enough fluid in your truck to properly lubricate the parts.
To prevent overheating engines or transmission damage, check your fluid levels at least once a month. If your truck has a history of losing fluids quickly, consider checking its status every two weeks. This quick will ensure your vehicle doesn’t overheat when you need it the most this summer.
Investigate a Poorly Working Air Conditioner
An overheating engine isn’t the only issue to worry about. You must protect yourself from extremely high summer temperatures, too. Many vehicles experience trouble with air conditioning. There are several culprits for a low fan or warm air blowing into the cabin rather than crisp, cool air. A simple fix is to recharge the air conditioner. It adds refrigerant into the cooling system so the AC can proceed to release cool air into the car.
Some other causes that require in-depth repairs include a leak in the valves or hoses or a broken blower motor. If recharging the AC doesn’t work, take your truck to a mechanic so they can fix it and help you stay cool while working all summer long.
Verify the Tires Are Good To Go
Another summer maintenance tip for your hard-working truck is to keep a close eye on the tires. Cold temperatures cause air in tires to contract. The summer heat expands the air in your truck’s tires. In extreme cases, the tires could explode!
Tires on the verge of exploding are very dangerous to drive on. If you hit a rock or a tough spot in the road, the tire could collapse on impact.
You never know when the heat may take its toll on the tires. Check the tire pressure after driving on a very hot day. The ideal range for truck tires is between 32 and 35 PSI. If the tires are greatly above 35 PSI, release air from the tires slowly until they fall into the desired range.
Check the Air Filter
Blocked air filters decrease fuel efficiency. Before you know it, you’re filling up the tank for gas much more frequently than in the past. Pollen, bugs, and dirt will accumulate in the filter. If you drive on rocky, dusty roads often, it may cause the air filter to clog more quickly than the average driver.
The general rule is to change it once a year. However, if you constantly drive through dusty environments and tough terrain, you should change the air filter in a shorter time frame.
Instead of waiting 12 months, you may only wait eight or ten months between filter changes. Remember to check on the air filter intermittently throughout the summer. If you witness any signs of immense debris in the way, your truck needs a new filter.
Add Seat Protectors to the Interior
If you haven’t already incorporated truck seat protectors, then you should highly consider them for this summer! The harsh UV rays don’t only impact the exterior; they will cause leather seats to crack and cloth seats to fade over time.
Rather than allow your current truck seats to worsen, choose a protective alternative that looks and feels great! Fia’s truck seat covers are simple to clean and available in a variety of styles that are sure to accommodate your truck.
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