By Priya Singh
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Updated On: 20-Mar-2023 11:44 AM
Is your truck ready for the rainy season? Prepare your truck for the approaching rainy season with this maintenance checklist. How Can You Keep Your truck and another vehicle Safe During the Rainy Season?
Is your truck ready for the rainy season? Prepare your truck for the approaching rainy season with this maintenance checklist. How Can You Keep Your truck and another vehicle Safe During the Rainy Season?
Although trucks perform better in some scenarios, adverse weather can make driving more difficult. Yet, some trucks with four-wheel drive perform better in the rain since it improves traction and makes the vehicle more stable.
Is your truck ready for the rainy season? With rain on the way, it's vital to check your truck's upkeep for the safety of your vehicle, people driving around you, and yourself.
Cold temperatures and severe rainy conditions are difficult for any vehicle, especially fleet trucks that are on the road for long periods of time. Prepare your truck for the approaching rainy season with this maintenance checklist.
When it rains, your truck will take longer to stop than other vehicles. Because the slick conditions diminish the tyre's grip on the road, it may take twice as long to stop the vehicle.
This is made worse if your truck is completely loaded. Reduce your speed to compensate for the lack of traction. You should also use caution when braking to avoid wheels spinning out of control.
Provide yourself additional time while using the brakes by taking your foot off the accelerator and carefully applying the brakes.
Heavy rain reduces visibility as well. It is difficult to perceive the blind zones in the rear, front, and sides of huge vehicles, which might cause accidents.
It is your obligation as a truck driver to keep other drivers on the road safe. Let plenty of gap between your truck and the vehicle in front of you, and avoid abrupt lane changes.
Turns should also be taken slowly. A truck's weight distribution is vastly different from that of a car. The bed is the lightest section, and the drive wheels are just below it. As a result, the back is lighter than the front, which might lead to rear slips in the rain. Hence, depending on the size and kind of truck, add an extra load to the bed to stabilize the back end.
Hydroplaning is another big risk of driving in the rain. When water flows to the tires quicker than the car can push it out, this happens.
As a result, your truck may struggle to maintain touch with the road, potentially pushing it out of the way. In this instance, you should slow down and avoid deep water, especially if you don't know how deep it is. Heavy winds can sometimes accompany the rain, making truck drivers' lives riskier.
Maintaining a safe distance is critical, especially when driving on slick roads. Inconsistent traffic speeds are also caused by rain and wind.
Examine the condition and quality of truck tyres.
Do not underestimate the value of adequate traction on slick roads. On wet roads, your vehicle's tyres displace water to preserve traction. The tire tread should be checked once a month or when temperatures vary 10 degrees or more for maximum gripping strength, and tire rotation services should be performed on a regular basis.
Check that the tyres on your truck are appropriate for the weather conditions you will experience. Aligning and rotating your vehicle's tires ensures that they wear evenly and last as long as possible.
Also Read:Top 10 Truck and Bus Tyre Maintenance Tips and Guide
Examine the truck's battery
The last thing you might face is a dead battery in the middle of the road during the rainy season. Because of the frequent use of AC, wipers, and headlights, poor road conditions put a load on the battery.
Hence, before you embark on your excursion, always check the batteries and ensure that it is in good working order.
Examine your brakes
Examine the brake discs and pads as well. Contact a specialist to inspect the braking system and, if necessary, replace the brake fluid.
It takes longer to come to a complete stop in rainy circumstances than it does on dry roads. With wet weather on the way, it's critical to keep brakes in good working order. To be safe, get your brake components tested and brake services performed in accordance with vehicle manufacturer standards.
If you hear screeching noises while you brake, your brake pads may need to be replaced. Any grinding noises while braking should be investigated immediately.
Inspect the wipers and refill the windshield washer fluid reservoir
The rainy season frequently follows the dry season, so it's possible that you haven't used your wiper blades in a while. You should thus inspect and replace them as needed to guarantee clear visibility.
During wet conditions, your windshield wipers will perform double duty. Check the fluid level and make sure your truck has a good set of blades. Windshield wipers take a beating over the rain, so it's best to replace them all at once. Replacement wipers will increase visibility and decrease the likelihood of an accident.
Keep the headlights on
Don't forget to check the taillights and headlights. You can choose LED lights for brighter lighting, which improves driving safety.
When it rains, properly functioning headlights improve visibility, allowing you to see the road and other vehicles to see you. During heavy rain or fog, your vehicle's headlights may be the only way other drivers know you're on the road.
Check that all of your lights are working, including the headlights, taillights, turn signals, and brake lights, and that the plastic lenses are clean and clear. Remember that when utilizing your windshield wipers, you must switch on your headlights.
Although elevated trucks perform better in bad weather, even the most experienced drivers are affected by heavy rainfall.
Increased stopping distances are one of the dangers that you may face in heavy rain.
To keep the vehicle functioning well throughout the rainy season, you must maintain it.
During the rainy season, several people neglect to clean their trucks.
It should be noted that rainwater can leave corrosive deposits on the body of your vehicle, which eats away at the metal. Remember to keep up with servicing to keep your truck running efficiently.
Rainwater on the road provides a hazardous driving surface, although travelling during this season is unavoidable at times.
If you do not exercise caution, your truck may lose control, spin, and cause an accident. The only way out is to take safety precautions when driving and before driving.
Remember to slow down your truck, keep a safe distance from other cars, and switch on your headlights to lessen possibility of an accident caused by rain.