Over time, even in normal driving conditions, your truck will slip out of alignment due to the constant pressure on shocks and springs, in addition to dramatic jolting impacts such as hitting curbs or potholes. This happens for an 18 wheeler just as easily as it happens for any other semi truck on the road.
Here are a few signs that your semi truck needs a wheel alignment:
Uneven or rapid tire wear
Excessive tire vibrations
Consistent squealing from tires
Your handling feels loose when driving
Your vehicle pulls to one side or another
Your steering wheel is not centered and is crooked when driving straight
Proper wheel alignment on your truck will allow your tires to last longer, improve your fuel economy, and allow for a smoother and safer ride. C and C Truck and Trailer Repair recommends truck alignments be done whenever new tires are installed and that you wait no longer than 2-3 years in between truck wheel alignments.
Tips To Keep Your DPF Filter Working Properly in Cold Weather And Never Get Stuck
Working in the trucking industry, we are all more than aware of the headaches cold weather can create for drivers and maintenance managers alike. Most industry professionals are very familiar with the havoc that winter can cause for a truck’s fundamental components. However, many of us are not as comfortable with the newer technology of the engine and after treatment systems that are ever-evolving. It’s well known that fuel consumption increases during the winter months, partly because composition changes by refiners to winter fuel to make it more volatile and burn properly in cold weather conditions. Diesel consumers also notice lower mileage in the winter. Burning more fuel costs you money, but it also means more diesel particulate filter (DPF) problems. Increased idle times in the winter also causes major DPF regeneration problems.
What you can do to prevent DPF regents…
You don’t want your diesel fuel to gel up and park you on the side of the road.Get your DPF filter cleaned at C and C Truck and Trailer repair.
Tips fro the winter to come
Get your regular service done: Now’s a good time to schedule your regular vehicle service, which includes checking the battery (and servicing/changing it as needed), making sure you have enough coolant/antifreeze in your vehicle, thoroughly inspecting the brakes (and changing as needed) and checking all spark plugs, wires, belts, hoses and cables. Make sure everything’s in good condition before you hit the road in the winter season.
Get a safety kit: It’s a good idea to have a safety kit in your vehicle throughout the year, but especially in the winter. If you break down in the middle of nowhere, you’ll get cold very quickly. Your safety kit should be stocked with first aid supplies, non-perishable foods, a thermal blanket, a flashlight and any tools or supplies you might need in the event of an emergency situation.
Consider your tires: If you’re planning on swapping your tires out for winter tires (which we definitely encourage if you’re in an area that gets lots of snow and ice), make sure you do so before the weather gets extremely cold. In our shop we also offer high quality winter tires. Stop by to see the entire collection of winter tires that we carry.