With spring coming into full bloom, and the chill beginning to dissipate throughout parts of the country, warm weather preparedness should be on the minds. A lot of planning goes into preparing for winter driving conditions, so you may wonder, “What has to be done to prepare for warm weather?”.
Preparedness for spring, and summer driving, is a little simpler than hanging chains and getting out your winterfronts, but is just as important to keep you safe and comfortable on the road. Be sure to go through this list before your next run:
Inspect Your Coolant System
Running in southern California, it's not uncommon that I see temperatures upwards of 100 degrees throughout the warm season. When your engine operates in higher temperature environments, your coolant system works harder to get rid of excess heat.
Inspect your engine coolant system especially for signs of worn hoses, tubes, and clamps. Check for small leaks that can become big ones to avoid being stranded later with an overheating problem. Also, be sure to check your storage compartment for an extra gallon of coolant. Lastly, it's not a bad idea to carry a couple spare pieces of coolant hose, just in case.
Check Your A/C
Don't forget that you're the most important business asset you have. Your comfort, and health, should rank number one, right above truck and equipment safety. You should check your cab air conditioning, which may not have been used in months depending on where you run, to make sure it still blows cold. Nothing makes me more irritable than sitting in a hot cab with no air conditioning on a hot day.
This irritability can directly affect your mood with customers and fellow drivers on, and off, the road. If not blowing cold, check with an A/C expert to see what the problem is. Sometimes it can be as simple as a recharge and you could be right back on the road in comfort.
Hydrate
In the warmer months, I also make sure hydration becomes an important part of my routine. I carry an extra case of water under the bunk, and keep the fridge stocked to keep them cold. Whatever you do, whether it's carry an extra case, or a couple extra gallon jugs, do not get caught out in the heat without an ample water supply onboard.
Check Your Tire Pressure
You may think, “I thump my tires all the time!”. As routine as this may be, it's no substitute for “sticking” the tire every time. Using a proper checker or TPMS system can help you avoid under-inflating tires, which will only end up with overheated tires in warmer weather. The last thing you want, is to become deserted in a remote area, waiting on a road service call that could have been avoided!
This is just a small list of items I give priority to when I prepare for the warm California weather. I know this can differ by what equipment, or cargo, you may haul. For instance, I know in the livestock hauling business, you have to take extra precautions to eliminate your livestock from overheating. If you have any other parts of your warm weather preparedness that should be considered, let us know in the comments!