Here Are 5 Things You Need to Know About Your Truck

Operating a heavy-duty vehicle or a semi-truck for your business can involve plenty of expense and multiple technical issues to keep track of, particularly if you want to avoid roadside emergencies and breakdowns as much as possible. If you want to get the most out of your heavy-duty truck in Champaign, IL, Bob & Ron’s Repair Service has put together a list of five key things to keep an eye on.

Pay Attention to Your Battery

Sometimes, problems with a truck that seems complicated at first can boil down simply to trouble with the battery. If your truck’s battery is failing, it can show up in the vehicle’s performance as inconsistent starting — sometimes easy, sometimes difficult — or as increasing amounts of time and effort being needed to start the vehicle “cold.”

At the most extreme end of the spectrum, it can simply show up as all of the vehicle’s electrical system going dead. If a battery failure happens on the road in the Champaign, IL region, you can get a jump or even a battery replacement from our 24/7 roadside assistance at Bob & Ron’s Repair Service Inc.

Plan a Preventative Maintenance Schedule

The specifics of what you’re using a semi-truck or heavy vehicle for will have a big impact on the schedule of preventative maintenance it will need to keep all its systems functioning at their best. Engine hours, fuel levels and overall mileage can help you to work out a schedule. If you need help working out what kind of maintenance schedule will be best for your needs, consult with expert technicians.

Track Winter Seasonal Needs

At different times of the year, you can expect to confront extreme cold or extreme heat while on the road in the Champaign, IL area. It’s a good idea to monitor specific systems that you’re likely to find yourself relying on depending on the season.

During cold months, you’ll need to make sure that your windshield is fully intact and its wipers and defroster are in good working order. Any part of the truck that relies on fluids will need to be assessed to make sure they’re functioning smoothly and the fluid doesn’t freeze: fuel, exhaust fluid, coolant, and engine oil. Tire treads need to have enough depth and chains need to be on hand for icy weather, and the braking system should be carefully tested.

Review Summer Seasonal Needs

During the summer months, air conditioning and coolant systems, tire pressure, and electrical systems come to the fore. It’s always a good idea to get a seasonal check of your vehicle by an ASE-certified technician like the experts at Bob & Ron’s Repair Service.

Inspect Your Truck Before Any Long-Haul Trip

Catastrophic failure of any of your truck’s systems on the road can put a serious dent in work schedules. If need be, you can rely on towing services for heavy-duty vehicles in Champaign, IL, but you can also catch warning signs by inspecting the vehicle’s brakes, tires, fluids, and electrical systems before setting out. Contact us online or call 217.877.4794 for all your heavy-duty auto service needs.