Summer Trucking Care Tips

Summer in Australia brings with it a great deal of outdoor fun and activities, but thanks to those extra sunlight hours, it’s also one of the busiest times of the year for those involved in trades and transport.

Just as drivers need sunscreen, a good pair of sunglasses, and plenty of water, the trucks supporting these operations also require a little extra protection during our beautiful and, at times, brutal summer.

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Summer do's and dont's

There are a few basic but practical truck care steps that won’t fail to help protect your truck in summer…

• Do try to park your truck under shade, such as in garages, warehouses, pergolas, and covered car parks. Shade helps decrease excess heat to the engine and battery.
• Don't park under trees if you can help it to avoid damage by dry, falling branches.
• Do look over your tyres each morning before hitting the road, paying attention to any dents, cracks, or debris.
• Don't skip those tyre pressure checks.
• Do stay up to date with your next service—it’s more important than ever to keep your truck performing at full strength during the busy summer season.
• Don't let time in the workshop get you down; scheduled downtime for trucks is normal if it means that parts and componentry are maintained, and oils and lubricants are replaced so it’s kept fighting fit.

Batteries

The summer heat can cause a perfect storm for battery trouble, creating a short burst of energy that is followed by a serious crash at the end, decreasing the battery's lifespan. In fact, it’s noted as the leading cause of dead batteries and is the highest case of roadside assist callouts for Aussie motorists.

Your truck battery relies on electrolytes (typically water and sulfuric acid) to fuel its internal chemical process. These vital liquids can begin to evaporate in intense heat, increasing the risk of battery failure.

Humidity can also affect truck batteries, producing a grimy discharge and corrosion on the terminals.

What you can do:
Short of taking your truck to your trusted service centre, you can clean your battery of discharge using warm, soapy water or a baking soda solution with a sponge or toothbrush, then letting it dry completely before reconnecting the terminals.

Check that the water and electrolyte levels in the battery are correct. If they look off, add distilled water to just above the separators.

Radiators

An overheated engine is among the most common issues that arise during long drives in the heat due to increased pressure on the cooling system.

Missed issues like cracked hoses, loose radiator caps, clogged radiator fins, and leaks all contribute to breakdowns when your truck is working in these conditions.

What you can do:

The best bet to keep the radiator in good nick is regular servicing, visual checks, and ensuring that fluid and coolant levels aren’t neglected.

Brakes

Heat and humidity both play a major role in wearing down truck components, including brakes.

What you can do:

Pay attention to any odd noises or changes when engaging the brakes. If you notice any difference in performance, contact your service manager or dealership as soon as possible.

If you are on the road and concerned about failure or breakdown, then contact your roadside assist service.

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Tyres

The Aussie summer can play havoc on tyre pressure, with concrete and bitumen roads building and retaining heat throughout the day. Incorrect tyre pressure greatly affects your truck’s performance, fuel consumption, and tyre wear.

What you can do:

Make it a practice to check tyre pressure when you begin for the day (or night for those heading out before sunrise).

Tyre pressure in hot weather can change over the hours, so if there is a noticeable difference, take the first opportunity to check the pressure again and adjust it.

When you stop to refuel, take a break or stop work, it's a good idea to visually check your tyres over for any odd cracks, debris caught in the tread, or discolouration

Engines and drivelines

It’s always a good time to practice responsible engine maintenance, but summer is the perfect time to check your truck's engine oil, main filter, and partial flow oil filter.

What you can do:

Replace dirty or clogged air filters that may have been put on the back burner—these can cause problems in the engine combustion chamber, influencing power output. This is even more important for trucks working on unsealed roads.

Identifying and addressing issues before they become a real problem is the real winner for maintaining a healthy engine, helping to avoid accelerated internal component wear and any extended truck downtime.

Are you seeing rubbish dumped along the highway? Check out this blog for the laws and regulations that keep our roads and highways clean and debris-free.