How to Protect Your Truck From Seasonal Wear and Tear

How to Protect Your Truck From Seasonal Wear and Tear

Every season presents unique challenges for heavy-duty trucks, especially for operators in climates like Hazen, ND, where both extreme heat and bitter cold are seasonal norms. Let’s take a closer look at how each season affects your vehicle and what you can do to protect it.

Spring

As the snow melts, spring introduces road grime, lingering salt, and potholes formed from freeze-thaw cycles.

Inspect and Clean Undercarriage

Salt and de-icing chemicals left over from winter can corrode your brake lines, fuel tanks, suspension components, and frame. A thorough undercarriage wash should be your first move in spring.

Check Suspension and Steering Components

Winter roads can abuse your leaf springs, air suspension, and shock absorbers. Look for signs of:

• Uneven tire wear
• Swaying or bouncing
• Leaking shocks

Addressing suspension wear early helps preserve alignment and control.

Service Air Dryer and Moisture Systems

Moisture buildup in the air system during winter can remain trapped. Spring is the ideal time to inspect and replace the air dryer cartridge to prevent corrosion in air lines and brake components.

Summer

Hot weather tests your cooling and lubrication systems. Long hauls with heavy loads can push your truck past safe operating temperatures if components aren’t performing optimally.

Inspect the Cooling System

A properly functioning radiator, water pump, fan clutch, and coolant reservoir are essential. Ensure the radiator is free of debris and test coolant for correct antifreeze concentration and pH balance. Don't forget the engine oil cooler and transmission cooler—both are key players in dissipating heat during long summer drives.

Monitor Tire Pressure and Condition

Heat causes tire pressure to expand. Regularly check for overinflation, tread separation, and sidewall cracks—especially if you're running long distances over hot pavement.

Test the Battery

Contrary to popular belief, battery failure is more common in summer. Heat accelerates fluid evaporation and can lead to internal damage. Load-test your battery and clean terminals to prevent voltage drops under stress.

Fall

Autumn is your chance to gear up for winter and catch issues before they leave you stranded in subzero temps.

Replace Fluids as Needed

Old or degraded engine oil, coolant, gear oil, and transmission fluid become liabilities in colder weather. Thickened or contaminated fluids strain components and reduce efficiency. Don’t forget power steering fluid and DEF—both are critical for performance and emissions compliance.

Schedule a Comprehensive Inspection

Use fall as your annual PM checkpoint. Check and service:

• Brakes (especially drum brake shoes and slack adjusters)
• Lighting systems for visibility in darker months
• Heating systems for both cab comfort and defrosting

Test Block Heaters and Glow Plugs

Cold-weather starts rely on properly functioning glow plugs and block heaters. Without them, your engine may fail to ignite on the coldest mornings.

Winter

Winter is brutal on diesel trucks. Low temperatures can thicken fluids, crack hoses, and disable systems without warning.

Use Winterized Diesel and Anti-Gel Additives

Switch to #1 diesel or add anti-gel to your fuel to prevent fuel line freezing and filter clogging. Keep extra fuel filters in your cab in case of emergency.

Insulate and Protect Air Lines

Frozen air lines mean brake failure. Use alcohol evaporators, inspect for cracks, and ensure your air dryer is properly maintained.

Inspect Belts and Hoses

Cold weather makes rubber components brittle and more likely to crack. Test belt tension and look for signs of aging on hoses.

Keep Tires in Top Shape

Frozen road surfaces mean reduced traction. Ensure you have:

• Adequate tread depth
• Matching tread types per axle
• Proper inflation pressure (cold temp calibration)

Keep a Winter Emergency Kit

Include essentials like:

• Blanket
• Extra DEF
• Gloves
• Fuel additive
• Spare filters
• Tire chains (if legal and appropriate)

All-Season Strategies

Maintain a Preventive Maintenance Schedule

Adhering to a quarterly preventive maintenance routine allows you to catch small issues before they become seasonal disasters. Each inspection should include:

• Oil and fluid checks
• Brake and steering inspections
• Electrical system scans
• Filter replacements

Log and Monitor Trends: Track fluid changes, tire wear, and component replacements. A logbook helps identify patterns and avoid repeat failures linked to seasonal shifts.

Stay Road-Ready All Year

Each season brings a new set of hazards to your truck, from overheated transmissions in summer to frozen air lines in winter. But with proactive inspections, smart fluid management, and attention to weather-specific needs, you can keep your rig rolling safely all year round.

If you require truck preventive maintenance in Hazen, ND, reach out to our team at Freedom Truck Center today.