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2026
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06
Accidents, spontaneous combustion, and cargo damage: these should not be ignored when driving in summer.
Since entering June, high temperatures and thunderstorm weather have frequently occurred in North China, Central China, and South China. The consecutive days of weather alerts also make people exclaim that this summer has arrived so swiftly.
The arrival of the dog days of summer has greatly increased the difficulty for truck drivers when loading and unloading cargo. At this time, in addition to preventing heatstroke, more attention and care must also be given to the vehicles. This article will guide truck drivers through the precautions to take before operating vehicles in the summer.
▏Check Tires and Brakes Frequently, Pay Attention to Rubber Parts
As everyone knows, vehicles have many rubber components, including tires, various air and oil lines, belts, wipers, and more. Strong sunlight can seriously affect the lifespan of these rubber components. Simply put, it accelerates their aging.
So after entering the summer, truck drivers must frequently check these rubber components during daily transportation to prevent air leaks, fluid leaks, or even cracking. If problems occur, they should be replaced promptly, especially for older vehicles.
At the same time, regarding vehicle tires, if they are excessively worn and become bald, it is best to replace them with genuine new tires as soon as possible. Additionally, drivers should always pay attention to vehicle tire pressure. Due to the high temperatures in summer causing the road surface temperature to rise, if the tire pressure is too high, the vehicle is prone to bulging or blowouts under the influence of thermal expansion and contraction, which can also endanger driving safety and delay deliveries.
Additionally, one more thing to say: many vehicles still use drum brake systems. When facing long downhill conditions, if the brake pedal is pressed continuously for a long time, drum brakes are prone to heat fade, and high summer temperatures will further exacerbate this situation. Therefore, it is recommended for truck drivers to use water spraying reasonably and to make full use of auxiliary braking devices such as engine braking and hydraulic retarders.
▏Pay attention to the engine cooling system, clean it without delay
After entering summer, truck drivers must use the air conditioner during daily driving. At this time, attention should be paid to opening the air conditioner in external circulation mode and leaving the windows slightly open when idling for a long time with the air conditioner on. Another aspect that requires extra attention is the engine’s cooling system. If the engine cannot dissipate heat properly, how can it work well?
In summer, it is also very easy for the engine water temperature to become too high. When the engine water temperature exceeds 95°C or it starts boiling, the vehicle's cooling system should be checked. At this time, we need to see if the vehicle's antifreeze is lacking and promptly replenish the antifreeze.
Regarding antifreeze, it is also recommended that truck drivers do not only top it up but do not replace it regularly, because antifreeze can also expire and lose effectiveness. If it has been more than two years, it is recommended to replace it entirely. At the same time, drivers should not add water to the antifreeze reservoir just to save money. Doing this for a long time can not only cause scale buildup but also corrode the vehicle's cooling system pipes, which is not worth it.
In addition, a blocked vehicle cooling system is also a cause of the engine overheating. A common issue is the radiator being clogged with dust, catkins, leaves, insects, and other debris. When parking and resting, you should also open the air intake grille and take a closer look.
If the engine coolant temperature is still too high when none of the above situations occur, then you need to check whether the thermostat has malfunctioned. A common solution is to simply replace the thermostat with a new one.
▏Pay attention when transporting goods to avoid spontaneous combustion or damage
Vehicle fires occasionally occur in summer. In addition to regularly inspecting the vehicle, you should not leave lighters, glasses, and other items that can easily explode or ignite under direct sunlight inside the car after leaving it.
At the same time, when transporting goods, it is sometimes unavoidable to transport some flammable and explosive items. It is recommended that drivers make sure to understand the properties of the goods before transport, such as flammable solids, flammable and oxidizing gases, corrosive substances, oxidizers, and other items, and be sure to choose specialized transport vehicles. Never take on this fragile task without the proper skills and equipment.
And when transporting flammable items such as cotton, yarn, paper products, and foam, not only should they be properly tied and excess debris cleaned up to avoid the risk of the vehicle catching fire, but they should also be kept away from areas and vehicles that are prone to fire.
In addition, some truckers use regular vehicles to transport livestock and live poultry, and in order to make more money, these types of cargo tend to be densely loaded. During high temperatures in summer, livestock and live poultry are very prone to heatstroke and oxygen deprivation, which can cause significant losses for truckers. Therefore, truckers need to always pay attention to ventilation and cooling in the cargo area during daily transportation.
▏Plan your route in advance. Drive slowly on rainy days.
Snow occurs in winter, and there is more rain in summer, which are both significant characteristics of distinct seasons. In this case, it is recommended that drivers check the weather conditions along the route and at the destination before transporting each load of goods. If there is rainy weather, it is better to be prepared in advance: cover the tarpaulin properly and as early as possible, and under no circumstances be lazy about it.
At the same time, it's important to reasonably plan your driving route. In rainy weather, try to avoid low-lying bridges and tunnels, as well as mountainous areas with unstable geological conditions. To reach your destination safely, taking a slightly longer route is also acceptable. Additionally, when driving in the rain, pay attention to your speed, maintain a steady pace and safe distance, and driving a bit slower is never wrong.
● Editor's Note
Every truck driver is a pillar of their family, and behind every trip you take, there is always the concern of your loved ones. Among countless driving rules, safety comes first. Only if we reach our destinations safely every time can we have a better future. Regarding summer driving, what other precautions do experienced drivers take? Feel free to leave your comments and share below; we hope this can help more truck drivers.
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