As an owner operator driver, you want to make sure your truck is running at its peak so you can make the most of your hauls. Hopefully, thanks to this mild winter, your truck is in pretty good shape and doesn’t need any major repairs. However, now that it’s officially springtime, it’s time to start thinking about getting your truck ready for the summer months. Here are some tips for “summerizing” your rig, courtesy of Greatwide Logistics.owner-operator-driver

  • Get Rid of Winter: Even with the mild winter we experienced, you still need to make sure that all the sand, salt and other chemicals used to melt ice and snow are removed from your undercarriage. Give it a good, thorough cleaning to make sure there are no remnants of winter hanging on to your truck.
  • Check Fluids: Make sure that your maintenance shop knows what your fluid levels need to be, and give your truck a thorough inspection to take care of any loose nuts, bolts, screws and clamps.
  • Clean Up: More than just removing sand and salt, your entire truck needs a good spring cleaning. Accumulation of dirt and debris can cause your truck to heat up more than you’d like—something that nobody wants in the dog days of summer.
  • Check Tires: After winter comes pothole season, which can wreak havoc on tires. Make sure all tires are properly inflated, keeping in mind that the summer heat raises tire pressure.
  • Clear the Air: Summer makes for some dusty roads, so you’ll want your air filter as clean as possible to start. Be sure to change your air filter often, and look for cracked hoses in both the cooling system and the air system. Dust and debris can also get in your fuel tanks, so have those checked as well.
  • Cool It: Last, but certainly not least, check the AC unit. Make sure it’s tuned up before you hit the road, because there’s nothing more dangerous than an overheated driver.

Greatwide Logistics has preventative maintenance packages designed to get your truck road-ready faster. After all, as an owner operator driver, you don’t want to experience any downtime due to a poorly maintained truck. So get ready to hit the open road, and enjoy your summer in the greatest country around.

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