Schaeffer Manufacturing, the oldest oil company in the United States, manufactures specialized synthetic oil, fuel additives and other products for industries such as trucking, construction, agriculture and high-performance racing. Schaeffer has more than 400 certified, professional consultants located throughout the U.S., providing customers with the experience and solutions for all of their oil needs. Schaeffer sales representatives have compiled 11 of their top tips to help keep trucks in prime condition during 2011:
1) Maintain a quarterly testing routine for bacteria proliferation and contamination in both the fuel and storage tanks, especially for vehicles put in storage for extended periods of time. Sulfur serves as a natural biocide in diesel fuel, killing off present bacteria. However, the reduced sulfur levels in now-standard ultra low sulfur diesel fuel allow bacteria to survive and grow in your tanks.
2) Utilize a moisture control treatment before or during the winter months to disperse and encapsulate water in the fuel to protect engine components and prevent water from becoming a habitat for the bacteria mentioned in tip number one.
3) Keep an emergency supply of fuel anti-gel in each truck to keep fuel and diesel oils flowing in the cold weather. This will help reduce any downtime and towing cost. You should prepare by having one gallon of anti-gel per expected fill up.
4) Manually verify that every tire is inflated properly on a regular basis. Tires change pressure when temperatures drop and are also at great risk to fail at high speeds in hot weather. Under-inflated tires can not only be dangerous, but also hurt fuel economy and affect weight distribution, which in turn can cause problems with the framework, alignment, traction, steering, and braking.
5) Refuel only at designated locations and inquire before you fuel “Do you treat your fuel? If so, with what products?”
6) Check the filter on your pump periodically. If it appears old, it probably is, and debris and dirt are now being pumped into your fuel tank and possibly to your carburetor or injectors. It also is a good idea to make it a practice to change fuel filters in the fall.
7) For those in the northern regions, know how cold your diesel can flow and use a winter additive that helps prevent the formation of large wax crystals that can quickly plug fuel lines and filters. With chemical changes in the ULSD fuel, there is an increased amount of total wax present in the fuel, which results in the wax particles being more concentrated and harder to disperse.
8) Switch to a full-synthetic oil from conventional. Often, this can result in decreased electrical costs and almost completely eliminate the need to plug the block motor heater in, except for during extreme weather conditions.
9) Check your battery age before cold and hot weather arrives. Ensure the battery is secured and the connections are tight to prevent any malfunctions. Replace the battery if it has surpassed 72 months.
10) Make sure to lubricate fifth wheels and king pins in cold or icy weather. Properly lubricated fifth wheels keep trailers from binding and allows easier turning in snow, ice and slush. Pins and undercarriages are exposed to ice, salt and moisture more in winter months than any time of the year. Grease may wash out or degrade with road salt if re-lubrication intervals are too long.
11) Evaluate and track each vehicle’s usage and mileage for appropriate preventative maintenance needs on a regular basis. This is critical in determining what preventative measures need to be taken for each truck in the fleet. A regular maintenance program can help determine issues with the radiator, hoses, belts and cooling system.
