Fall Vehicle Maintenance for Every Truck Driver

Fall is in the air, and with that Somerville Hino wants to send a friendly reminder to every truck operator about the importance of timely seasonal maintenance! With the bitter cold being just around the corner, you'll want to make sure you're taking action now so that you have a more reliable truck during the frigid winter season.

Not only does regular truck maintenance keep your vehicle running smoothly so that it can handle all weather conditions, it also saves you money down the road because you're getting the most out of its mileage and preventing costly repairs. And in addition to saving you cash in the long-term, strictly adhering to a seasonal maintenance schedule and using only quality parts will improve your vehicle's trade-in value and keep you safer. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 1 in 8 crashes in the U.S. can be attributed to mechanical defects that are due to neglected car maintenance. And while a mechanical failure is never a convenient experience, its worse and far more dangerous to experience one during the winter. So what are you waiting for, unfriendly road conditions? The time to act is now! 

Recommended Fall services for your vehicle

The following are some important vehicle maintenance tips to consider during the fall season that will help you stay on track. 

• Have the Battery checked
  If you have a battery that is more than 4 years old, chances are it won't work well in the cold weather and you'll want to have it replaced before it failes on you in the shivering cold. 

• Have the Brakes checked 
  Before the roads get filled with snow and ice, make sure all five of the main brake components get checked and/or replaced if necessary. These include the brake pads, rotors, calipers, lines, and the master cylinder. Avoiding brake repair is one of the most dangerous things you can do as a driver. Procrastinating in this area is not only a safety concern, you can end up damaging your rotors and incurring a hefty repair cost.

• Have the Filters, Coolants and Hoses checked
  You'll want to ensure all filters (oil, gas and air) are in good condition and have the coolant and thermostat checked to ensure proper engine warm-up, as well as make sure your heater and defroster work. Also check for leaking or soft hoses so that they can be replaced, in addition to ensuring that belts aren't worn out and fit tightly.

• Check the Tire Pressure
  When checking your tires for proper inflation and excessive wear, be sure not to overinflate or under inflate them: having too much pressure can reduce traction in icy conditions, while lower pressure increases wear and fuel consumption. Note that as the weather gets cooler, air pressure will decrease. 

• Fill your windshield wiper reservoir
  Make sure the proper type of windshield fluid is being used for the cooler climate.

• Get a tune-up
  Now is the time to consider getting a tune-up if you aren't already due for one. At a minimum, have your spark plugs, rotor, distributor cap and wires checked.

In addition to these routine services, you should put together a winter truck survival kit that includes road salt,  an ice scraper, jumper cables, first aid materials, etc. You just never know when you could be stranded at the side of the road and this little box comes in super handy. 
 

Due for a routine check-up?

When it comes to taking proper care of your Hino truck, you can count on Somerville Hino in North York, ON for the OEM Hino parts for all your vehicle preventative maintenance needs. For a limited time you can take advantage of our fall special of 10% off on all OEM Hino filters, in addition to our annual certification inspection offer (expires October 31, 2015) for $189.00 on all Hino COE’s and conventional trucks.