How Truck Suspensions Work?

When you think of performance of a truck, you usually just think of torque, horsepower and speedy acceleration. You forget that all power generated by your piston engine is pointless if you cannot control your truck. Truck suspension is actually something that most people have heard of but know very little about. Here you can learn the basics of Truck Suspension.

Functions of Truck Suspensions

The function of your truck’s suspension is to increase the friction between the tires and road surface, to offer steering stability and fine handling so as to guarantee that the travelers are comfortable. Suspensions come with two key functions: first, to support the truck’s weight, and second, to soak up the inconsistencies of the roads as well as terrain changes.

If the road was completely flat, without any irregularities, suspensions would not be essential. But the roads aren’t flat and even newly created highways possess slight imperfections which may interfere with the wheels of your truck. It is these imperfections which exert forces on the wheels. To protect your vehicle from damage that may be caused due to these forces, suspension is a prerequisite in any truck.

Truck Suspension System, the Basics

The truck’s suspension system usually comprises of sway bars, springs and dampers. The suspension springs support the truck’s weight on the four-corners. The main strength of a truck’s suspension is from the springs used. Springs even help suspend the vehicle frame in a number of driving conditions, like braking, acceleration, cornering, abrupt terrain changes or changes in payload capacity. (more…)

How safe are Truck Batteries?

Have you ever given a thought on which is the safest way to dispose your truck battery once it gets old? Many truck owners rarely think about the battery till it stops to start up the engine. You need to be careful while handling the truck battery for disposal. When you are dealing with the truck batteries, there are several safety measures you need to know. Failing to adhere to such safe practices may lead to severe injury or even death.

Recycling may be the best method to dispose the truck batteries because there are several components in the truck battery which may be recycled. There are many advantages of the proper disposal of truck batteries in the process of recycling. There are lots of metals that make truck batteries which may be reused. These metals may be used to produce additional batteries. The same is the case for the plastics which are retrieved from remade batteries as they can be employed yet again to create other products.

Auto and Truck Battery Safety

There are some basic auto and truck battery safety measures which will help you to be safe while transporting batteries for recycling or employing it for Jump Starting. Basically, the truck batteries contain sulfuric acid and lead plates. There are many hazards which can be caused if you do not handle the truck battery properly. (more…)

Winter Driving Tips for Truck Drivers

The chilling weather and dropping temperatures is announcing the arrival of winter. Truck driving can be dangerous in winter season, even for the experienced truck drivers. Also, your tough rigid truck may not be able to withstand the freeze.  There are some preventive measures you can take to protect your vehicle from the frost.  These few tips will help your vehicle work efficiently and fruitfully even in bad weather condition.  It is always a good habit to stay prepared and these tips are sure to help you.

Precautions for Truck Battery

Your pickup truck battery’s lead plates should always be covered by water. The levels should never go below desired levels. If it goes, add distilled water. Water addition leads to dilution of electrolyte solution. Hence, make sure to recharge your battery later. Always ensure that battery terminals and cables are tight and clean. Yet be cautious because battery failure is not a predictable phenomenon.

Safety Measures for Truck Tires

You need to ensure your tire’s intactness and certain measures will help you take proper care of the tires. Inspect the tires for wear.  They should always have good tread. Tires have a prescribed pressure which needs to be maintained.  Check the tire pressure and maintain it as suggested by the manufacturer.  If you are going to drive through snow regularly, switch to snow tires. Also, you should always keep the condition of roads in mind.  If the roads are bad then you may have to switch over to either studded snow tires or maybe snow chains. However, make sure you don’t use these on dry roads as these can damage dry roads.

Change Engine Oil

Oil changes are essential for your vehicle.  Refer the owner’s manual to know the desired viscosity of engine oils during winter and maintain it as asked.

Measures related to Anti-freeze

Anti-freeze is an important protection measure for lower temperatures. Generally water and antifreeze are mixed in a 50-50 proportion and this helps to keep your vehicle safe upto minus 20 degrees.  If your surrounding temperature goes below zero, remove a small amount of the mix from the radiator and in place of it add straight antifreeze.  Do occasionally check protection level and redo these corrective measures.  In hot weather, excess of antifreeze can cause cooling problems.  Hence, it is essential to monitor the antifreeze levels in different weather conditions. (more…)