Maintaining your heavy duty trucks and medium duty trucks is an essential part of life in the trucking industry. Whether you are an owner-operator or have a fleet of trucks, spring Kenworth truck maintenance information applies regardless of the type of truck. With spring here, it is crucial you inspect the investment that keeps you living your best life on the road. Preventative maintenance helps you to take care of an issue before it costs downtime and money.

The salt that was not cleaned off your truck now has warmer temperatures to thrive, and rust starts consuming your chassis. Your truck’s structure is now uneven, causing more wear and tear on the suspension and tires. A small issue now becomes a real pain that is expensive and takes time to repair. Let’s make sure that never happens. This spring semi truck maintenance guide is here to help you maximize uptime and your bottom line.

Photo: Multiple heavy duty trucks getting serviced within Palmer Trucks‘ garage‘ service department.

What should you do to get your truck ready to take on spring?

There are three main areas of maintenance to focus on after a truck has gone through the snowy and salty season of winter. The first order of business is washing your truck. The salt that gets laid on the roads will try and find its way onto everything on the undercarriage and into your electrical connections, and that salt will need to be removed. It’s a good idea to inspect the battery and electronics moving out of the colder weather. Don’t forget to prepare for warmer weather by checking that the air conditioning is working properly.

Deep clean your truck

Trucks driving during winter, especially up north, will have seen their fair share of salt on the road. Salt and moisture are a nasty combo for anything metal, as the salt accelerates the act of rusting. With more humidity coming during the spring months, washing everywhere you suspect salt may linger is crucial.

Truck battery and electrical system

The colder weather puts a strain on your battery, and it is important to check that it will be operating properly to keep you going. Checking the voltage before starting, and after a load test, can give you an indication of the battery’s health. While you’re at it, check to see if the battery is approaching its expiration date and prepare to replace it as the date comes. Be sure to check the electrical connections and make sure they are corrosion-free, so the electrical system is functioning properly. Now is also a good time to test your truck’s lights and signals to keep yourself and your truckers safe.

Checking air conditioning on your truck

When warmer weather arrives, it’s time to press the A/C button again and hope everything works as it should. If it comes time to diagnose, turn the A/C up and run basic diagnostic tests. You can check the A/C compressor and see if it’s running, and you can check the system’s high and low pressure readings to see how much freon there is and how well the system is functioning. It’s also a good idea to check and replace the cabin air filter.

Semi truck regularly scheduled maintenance

In addition to these more spring-specific maintenance items, check to make sure the engine and drivetrain are operating as they should. Preventive maintenance includes oil changes, cooling system inspections, suspension, tires, brakes, safety appliances, and comprehensive DOT inspections.

Photo: Semi truck with its hood open and a technician servicing the engine bay area.

It is always important to take care of maintenance problems as they arise and note when components need to be replaced. Preventative spring truck maintenance is the name of the game to increase uptime and give you the best chance at keeping your truck or fleet on the road.

To have your truck looked over by professionals who are held to the highest standard in the industry, check out our service department at Palmer Trucks across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio. Or, if you are looking for a replacement part for your rig, please look at our parts department for all-make and all-model truck, bus, and trailer parts. Can’t make it to the shop? Our mobile service trucks will come to you.

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By: Tim Stang, Palmer Trucks