Medium Duty Truck Spring Maintenance Check List

Spring is here, and as the seasons change we recommend you keep in mind these 8 things we've placed at the top of our Spring Maintenance Check List for Isuzu, Hino, Mitsubishi Fuso or Nissan UD medium-duty box trucks.

Check your wheel alignment

For your vehicle to handle safely and properly you need to have your wheels in alignment. This also helps so your tires don't wear out prematurely.

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Check the belts and hoses

A broken belt or hose can cause many problems, from the loss of power steering to an overheated engine. Look for cracks and peeling on the belts, softening on the hoses.

Check the battery

Winter can be tough on all the starting components like the starter and alternator. If the battery is older than three or four years, start expecting problems. To avoid a dead battery before it's too late, pay attention to the signs of a weak battery such as dimming headlights or interior lights. Take a look at your driving habits. Remember, short trips and long periods of inactivity will sap a battery's life. Take a look at the battery itself. Corrosion or stains mean you have a leak.

Check your spark plugs

Worn-out spark plugs can drastically reduce your fuel efficiency. Its always a good idea to check your spark plugs at least two times a year, before the winter and summer seasons. You should replace them if needed.

Check your coolant

When the temperatures rise it's important to make sure your car's engine is getting adequately cooled. If the coolant light on your dash is on or if you simply haven't checked the coolant level in a while, make sure the fluid is at the proper level. Most cars have a fluid level gauge, so consult your owner's manual to find out how to check the level on your particular model. Make sure you only open the coolant cap when your car is cool. Opening the cap when your car has been driven can be very dangerous.

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Check the brakes

Winter conditions and salt on the roads can lead to corrosion of brake parts. Nothing is more crucial to your safety than your brakes, so get them checked. Trouble signs: pulling to one side when you hit the brakes, squeaking or grinding noises and a brake pedal that feels too soft.

Check the tires

Checking the air in your tires should be done at least once a month. Checking your tire tread is something you should do several times a year. Try the coin test on your tires: Insert a quarter into several grooves across each tire. If part of Washington's head is always covered, you still have 4/32 inch of tread left and can probably drive safely. If you have less tread, it's time to think about replacements. (A definite danger signal comes when you slip a penny into a groove and the tread does not reach Lincoln's head.)
Even if your tire tread is OK, make sure you keep them inflated to the pressure listed on the placard visible when the driver's door is open. Properly inflated tires help you save money on gas. To get an accurate reading, check the pressure of tires when they are cold, not when you have been driving. Also, if there is excessive wear on the edge of any tires, it may be time for a new set and a four-wheel alignment.

Check your oxygen sensor

This one is obscure, but it is important to gas mileage. Because the sensor helps set the fuel mix going into your engine, a faulty one can cause too much gas to be used. Replacing the sensor needs to be done every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

Getting a spring checkup for your car not only could avoid a summer breakdown, it could save you money on your monthly gas budget.

If you or a co-worker is in an accident and you need replacement parts for your medium or heavy duty commercial truck, call us at (803) 564-3228 or (877) 564-6307. If you have any difficulties getting through our phone system, please use our Contact Form or Parts Request Form, or email sales@busbeetruckparts.com.
We have hundreds of Salvaged Medium Duty Trucks and Commercial Box Trucks for Parts including: Isuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso, UD, and GMC. With thousands of parts, including our most popular Isuzu NPR Truck Parts, we should have any part that you need in stock. Our sales professionals will be glad to assist you.  We are located at 4107 Festival Trail Rd, Wagener, SC 29164.

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