As the seasons change, commercial vehicles must be prepared to tackle the challenges of autumn and winter. The summer months present an ideal window for performing critical maintenance tasks that ensure your fleet remains roadworthy, safe, and efficient during the colder months. In addition to traditional maintenance practices, leveraging advanced diagnostic tools like Jaltest can help identify potential issues before they escalate, saving time and money.
This article outlines the essential jobs that should be completed during the summer to keep your commercial vehicles in top condition throughout autumn and winter, with a focus on how Jaltest diagnostics can make this process as easy as possible.
Tyre Inspection and Replacement:
Tyres are the foundation of vehicle safety, and ensuring they are in prime condition is critical. During the summer, thoroughly inspect all tyres, checking for tread wear, cracks, bulges, and uneven wear patterns. Tyres with insufficient tread depth or visible damage should be replaced, ideally with those that offer enhanced grip for wet, icy, or snowy conditions.
How Jaltest Diagnostics Can Help: Jaltest can monitor tyre pressure and alert you to irregularities that may indicate a slow leak or other tyre-related issues. Depending on the model, you can connect to TPMS and view tyre pressures under the measurements. By identifying these problems early, you can avoid the risks associated with underinflated or damaged tyres in winter.
Brake System Inspection and Servicing:
Brakes are crucial for vehicle safety, especially in the adverse conditions of autumn and winter. Over time, brake pads, discs, and callipers can wear out, compromising the braking system’s effectiveness. A summer inspection should include checking the condition of these components and replacing any that show significant wear.
How Jaltest Diagnostics Can Help: With Jaltest, you can perform advanced diagnostics on the braking system, including ABS and EBS checks. The system can identify faults that may not be immediately apparent through visual inspection, ensuring that your brakes are fully functional when they’re needed most. You can check modulators, speed and wear sensors. On some models, you can even program new modulators – this is especially Knorr-Bremse Diagnostics add-on, which lets you perform dealer-level programming on Knorr-Bremse systems including braking components.
Battery Health Check and Electrical System Maintenance
Commercial vehicle batteries are often strained during the summer heat, which can reduce their performance in the colder months. Inspecting the battery for signs of wear, corrosion, or leakage and testing its charge is essential. If necessary, replace the battery to avoid start-up issues in winter.
How Jaltest Diagnostics Can Help: Jaltest provides real-time data on battery performance and the overall health of the electrical system. With Jaltest, you can perform battery resets and depending on the model, view voltages under measurements. By monitoring these parameters, you can detect potential failures before they lead to breakdowns in cold weather.
Cooling System Service
The cooling system is vital for engine health, preventing overheating in summer and ensuring efficient operation in winter. During the summer, inspect the radiator, hoses, and coolant levels. Look for signs of leaks, blockages, or wear that could compromise the system’s performance.
How Jaltest Diagnostics Can Help: Jaltest can perform diagnostics on the cooling system, including the radiator and thermostat, to ensure they are functioning correctly. This can help prevent overheating or freezing issues that could lead to engine damage.
Fluid Levels and Oil Changes:
Maintaining optimal fluid levels is essential for the smooth operation of any vehicle. During the summer, check and top up all critical fluids, including engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windscreen washer fluid. An oil change may also be necessary to ensure that the engine is properly lubricated during the colder months.
How Jaltest Diagnostics Can Help: Jaltest can monitor fluid levels and alert you to any imbalances or leaks. This ensures that all systems have the necessary fluids to operate efficiently, reducing the risk of mechanical failures. Jaltest also gives you the correct oil specifications under ‘vehicle data’.
Suspension and Steering System Check:
The suspension and steering systems endure significant stress from carrying heavy loads and navigating rough roads. A summer inspection should include checking for wear or damage, such as leaking shock absorbers, worn bushings, or loose steering components.
How Jaltest Diagnostics Can Help: Jaltest provides detailed diagnostics on the suspension and steering systems, identifying issues that may not be visible during a manual inspection. With Jaltest, not only can you view faults related to the suspension and steering system, but you can also perform height level adjustment and the calibration of new components, such as steering angle sensor calibration, on many models as well. Early detection allows for timely repairs, ensuring vehicle stability in adverse conditions.
Windscreen and Wiper Maintenance:
Clear visibility is crucial for safe driving, especially during the darker, wetter months. Inspect the windscreen for any chips or cracks that could worsen with temperature changes. Replace worn wiper blades and ensure the windscreen washer system is operational.
How Jaltest Diagnostics Can Help: Jaltest can diagnose faults in the windscreen washer system and other related components. Also with Jaltest, if you’ve had to replace a windscreen, you can perform a full calibration of the sensors and cameras necessary for the ADAS systems (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) onboard modern vehicles using the Jaltest ADAS calibration equipment, ensuring that your visibility and safety remains uncompromised during harsh weather conditions.
Heating and Ventilation System Inspection:
While the heating system may not be used much in summer, it’s crucial to ensure it is fully operational before the colder months. Test the heater, defroster, and ventilation systems to confirm they can adequately warm the cabin and clear the windscreen.
How Jaltest Diagnostics Can Help: Jaltest allows for comprehensive diagnostics of the HVAC system, ensuring that the heating and ventilation components are functioning correctly. This is especially important for driver comfort and safety during winter.
Undercarriage Inspection and Rust Prevention:
The undercarriage of a commercial vehicle is particularly susceptible to rust and corrosion, especially when exposed to salt and de-icing chemicals. Summer is the ideal time to inspect the undercarriage for signs of rust and to apply a protective treatment.
How Jaltest Diagnostics Can Help: While Jaltest primarily focuses on electronic diagnostics, its ability to monitor overall vehicle health can indirectly help identify issues that may lead to undercarriage damage, such as fluid leaks that could accelerate rusting.
Lighting System Inspection:
As daylight hours decrease, having a fully operational lighting system is essential. Check all exterior and interior lights, including headlights, brake lights, indicators, and fog lights, to ensure they are functioning correctly.
How Jaltest Diagnostics Can Help: Jaltest can perform diagnostics on the vehicle’s lighting system, detecting issues like bulb failures or electrical faults that could compromise visibility during winter.
Conclusion:
Performing essential maintenance during the summer months is crucial for ensuring that your commercial vehicles are prepared for the challenges of autumn and winter. Incorporating Jaltest diagnostics into your maintenance routine can significantly enhance your ability to identify and address potential issues before they escalate. By leveraging this advanced tool, you can maintain your fleet’s safety, efficiency, and reliability, ensuring that your business stays on the road throughout the colder months.
Investing in preventive maintenance, supported by Jaltest diagnostics, is not just a way to avoid costly repairs—it’s a strategy to optimise your fleet’s performance and extend its lifespan, ultimately supporting your business’s success.
