summerize your rig A guide created By: TBS Factoring

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1 bumper 2 summerize your rig bumper A guide created By: TBS Factoring service

2 TBS Factoring Service bumper 2 summerize your rig bumper...created by tbs factoring service TBS Factoring Service, LLC is a leading provider of freight-bill factoring to growth-oriented companies in the transportation industry. Founded in 2004, the Oklahoma City-based company currently serves nearly 4,000 clients nationwide with simple and flexible cash-flow solutions. TBS Factoring is a key part of a family owned, one-stop shop for independent trucking services that also includes Truckers Bookkeeping Service, formed in 1968 to provide independent truckers with permitting, DOT compliance and fuel tax reporting services, and TBS Insurance Agency, founded in 1998 to provide truck insurance nationwide. In 2013, TBS Capital Funding joined the TBS Family, expanding our service offering to include general factoring. In 2015, Elite Dispatch Service was formed to provide logistics services for motor carriers nationwide. The TBS family ownership group has more than 50 years of experience serving independent truckers. Our clients receive outstanding service from a seasoned and dependable staff. TBS Factoring Service is among the most highly regarded freight-factoring companies in the USA. let's be friends

3 Table of Contents table of contents Bumper to Bumper: Summerize Your Rig...1 Chapter 1: Engine Cooling System...2 Chapter 2: Preventive Maintenance Tips...3 Chapter 3: Engine Coolant...5 Chapter 4: Batteries...7 Chapter 5: Tire Inflation Pressure...8 Chapter 6: How Drivers Beat the Heat TBS Factoring Service, LLC

4 Bumper to Bumper: Summerize Your Rig bumper 2 Summerize your rig bumper You can tell a lot about mechanics by the way they take care of their tools and your rig may be the most expensive tool you ll ever own. Staying roadworthy is more than just a good business practice; your livelihood depends on it. We have created this series of free, handy reference guides to help you keep your rig revved and ready to make you money from bumper to bumper. Taking care of trucks and equipment during the summer months is just as important as it is in the winter. Like cold weather conditions, summer s hot and dry weather causes additional stresses on vehicles as well. Making time at the end of the cold season to summerize vehicles will help your rig take the heat and keep operating efficiently. Safe travels! beat the heat No more denying it, the planet is getting hotter. If you have ever blistered your bare feet on a hot road, you know how asphalt absorbs the sun s rays making your workplace even hotter. Extreme weather patterns with record breaking high temperatures are becoming the new normal. All the more reason to prepare one of your most prized possessions against the roiling heat of summer. 1

5 Chapter #1 Engine Cooling System Engine Cooling System A good starting point for summerizing is the truck s engine cooling system. The engine s cooling system is the first line of defense against the destructive forces of too much heat. Because of the higher temperatures, the cooling system is required to work harder in the summer to keep the engine from overheating. If it is not maintained properly, the engine will not operate as efficiently and internal components could be damaged. Even one cooling system overheat can severely damage a truck engine. Research has shown that an estimated 40 percent of engine problems are caused by cooling system failures. Yet, cooling system problems are virtually all preventable. What's your type? Over the past few years, cooling system maintenance has become more complicated due to the numerous types of coolant that have come onto the market. A recent Recommended Practice from the Technology & Maintenance Council, a technical council within the American Trucking Association that works to improve transport equipment, its maintenance and maintenance management, identifies five major coolant types: Conventional/automotive that must be treated with separate supplemental coolant additives. Fully formulated conventional that includes additives. Nitrited organic acid (extended-life) coolant. Straight organic acid (extended-life) without nitrites. Universal antifreeze (basically a combination of all the aforementioned types). 2

6 Chapter #2 Preventive Maintenance Tips preventive maintenance tips Here are some preventive maintenance tips to ensure optimal engine cooling system performance and reduced downtime: Examine all radiator and heater core hoses, lines and clamps. As the temperature rises in the cooling system, hoses and clamps expand and contract at different rates. Over time, this repeated expansion and contraction causes the hose-to-neck seal to wear. Check hoses and lines for excessive mushiness and hardness, cracks and leaks or other signs of deterioration. Be sure all connections are tight to avoid leakage. A best practice is to replace hoses every two years, whether they exhibit obvious wear or not. Check the heater. Run the truck heater to verify that the system functions properly. keep your shine on Hot weather also affects a vehicle s finish. Therefore, it is important to take precautionary measures to safeguard against the sun s damaging rays such as heat and humidity; rocks, sand, gravel and other road debris; insects and bird droppings; sap; etc. Over time, these contaminants can chemically etch a vehicle s surface, leaving permanent damage, which could ultimately lead to rust and corrosion. Hot temperature accelerates the problem. One way to keep the exterior of any vehicle protected from the elements of summer is to apply paint protection film. These are durable, high-grade, colorless urethane films applied to the high-impact areas of the vehicle - front and rear faces, bumpers, mirrors and door edges - that provide an effective line of defense. Another defense is regular washings. Plus, a clean vehicle is easier to perform maintenance and service on. 3

7 Chapter #2 Preventive Maintenance Tips preventive maintenance tips (continued...) Inspect the radiator inside and out. Check the cooling system to confirm it is full. Operating with low coolant can lead to numerous problems because a coolant cannot protect surfaces that it does not contact. Check the inside of the radiator for corrosion. Also look to see if the coolant is clean and pure with no rust or other impurities. These can contaminate the cooling system and cause costly issues. Drain, flush and refill with the appropriate coolant if any contamination is noted. Examine the radiator cap for cracks and/or swelling and replace if necessary. Inspect the exterior of the radiator and cooler for excessive debris and dust buildup. This can reduce airflow and heat transfer, causing operating temperatures to increase, which could cause the engine to overheat. A best practice is to replace the thermostat every two years. Check the cooling fan. Look for loose or damaged fan blades. Cracks or nicks in the blades can cause the fan to become out of balance and vibrate. This can destroy water pump bearings and other related components, eventually leading to total system failure. Inspect the fan for excessive debris buildup and clean regularly. Examine all radiator and heater core hoses, lines and clamps. As the temperature rises in the cooling system, hoses and clamps expand and contract at different rates. Over time, this repeated expansion and contraction causes the hose-to-neck seal to wear. Check hoses and lines for excessive mushiness and hardness, cracks and leaks or other signs of deterioration. Be sure all connections are tight to avoid leakage. A best practice is to replace hoses every two years, whether they exhibit obvious wear or not. Inspect belts. Belts should be checked for wear and tension. Test the function of the tensioner arm. A best practice is to replace belts every one to two years. Inspect the water pump. Look for leaks and verify the engine maintains a temperature within the manufacturer s specification. shields up! A best practice is to use vehicle care products to maintain durable protection and shine. All vehicle finishes will deteriorate and dull. Vehicle care products provide an easily renewable, transparent barrier between the finish and a hostile hot weather environment. 4

8 Chapter #3 Engine Coolant engine coolant Good cooling system preventive maintenance practices include the coolant itself. One of the most important aspects of engine maintenance is using and maintaining a properly formulated coolant. Reliable coolant products are a necessity in order to prevent rust, dirt, scale and other contaminants from creating engine-damaging hot spots in a vehicle s cooling system. Always use only the recommended type of coolant specified for the engine and always maintain the engine coolant to meet engine manufacturer s specifications. Coolant comes in a range of colors green, pink, red, blue, yellow, orange and brown. Because of the many different colors and chemistries available, it is important to know your coolant. The color indicates the kind of coolant and how it is to be maintained. Mixing of technologies can cause coolant contamination. engine coolant functions Engine coolant has a number of main functions. Among them: Dissipate engine heat Protect against cavitation damage Provide corrosion protection to engine components Prevent formation of scale and deposits Offer boil-over protection Provide freeze protection 5

9 Chapter #3 Engine Coolant engine coolant (continued...) Regardless of the color, all coolants should have one thing in common: All should be clear. Coolant that appears cloudy or has floating particulates could be an indication of bigger problems. Do an engine coolant-analysis. This not only determines coolant condition and additive concentrations, it also identifies other vehicle problems that can show up in the cooling system. Coolant-analysis programs typically are available in various levels and costs, depending on the number of parameters checked. A best practice is to perform a cooling system pressure on an annual basis at a minimum. There are both conventional coolants and extended-life coolants (ELCs). Conventional coolants use inorganic additives, such as silicates and phosphates, to plate cooling system surfaces and provide a protective layer. Over time, due to flow and erosion, this protective layer is depleted as it is chemically consumed while it performs its function of inhibiting corrosion. This necessitates the addition of a charge of supplemental coolant additive (SCA) to replenish the additives and reinforce the protective layer. ELCs use an organic acid technology (OAT) additive that chemically reacts with metal surfaces when needed for protection. The OAT formulas protect metals from corrosion by forming a thin, molecular coating on them. ELCs are not as fast acting but provide protection over a longer period of time. want more info about coolant types and analysis? The cooling system is probably the least-maintained system of an engine. Industry estimates show that about 40 percent of all engine problems can be traced to abnormal coolant conditions. If you re looking for more detailed information about coolant types and analysis, check out our E-book, Engine Life, and how to prolong it. 6

10 Chapter #4 Batteries batteries Batteries need additional attention because battery degradation occurs much more rapidly in hot weather. Here are some battery summerizing tips: Inspect the batteries to see if the cases are bulging, cracked or leaking and be certain they are firmly mounted in place. Check the integrity of the battery cables where they connect to the battery and make sure the fasteners are secure. Inspect the battery cables to assure they aren t in contact with items that will wear through their insulation. Look for corrosion at the battery s terminal posts. If corrosion is present, clean it off and spray the connections with a protectant. For conventional batteries, the water level in all cells should be checked monthly. Distilled water should be added so that the plates are covered inside. Maintenance-free batteries have an indicator that changes color when they deteriorate. A best practice is to load test the batteries at least once a year. create a spark Another key area to focus on when prepping vehicles for summer is the electrical system. Here are some measures to follow: Examine the electrical wiring to make sure wires haven t come loose. Be on the lookout for frayed or cracked insulation and for rubbing against any abrasive items. Also look for signs of corrosion. Make any necessary repairs. Check starter and alternator connections and ground wires to ensure that all connections are both clean and tight. Inspect the wiring to and from the engine s electronic control unit to make sure it is in good condition. 7

11 Chapter #5 Tire Inflation Pressure tire inflation pressure Hot weather conditions require that greater attention be paid to tire inflation pressure. Because of summertime s higher temperatures, the air pressure in a warm tire rises. Since air is a gas, it expands when it heats up and contracts when cooled. Tire officials advise against bleeding air from a hot tire to relieve normal pressure buildup. Bleeding air pressure will result in under-inflation because as the tire cools at the end of the shift or day, inflation pressure will drop. The normal increase in pressure due to service conditions will be 10 to 15 psi, and this is allowable in a radial truck tire. Checking and adjusting tire inflation pressure should always be done when tires are cold, according to tire industry officials. That is after a vehicle has been parked about three hours, before it s been driven any more than a mile or before rising ambient temperatures or the sun s radiant heat affects the pressure. The experts also recommend checking tire inflation pressures on a regular basis - at least once a week. This check should always be made with a calibrated tire gauge or a gauge that is checked periodically with a tire gauge known to be accurate. want to learn more about protecting your tires? Hot weather can impact tires much more severely than cold weather. By far, the single most critical factor for maximizing tire life and minimizing the chance of catastrophic tire failure is maintaining the proper inflation pressure for a given tire size and load. To learn more about how to get the most out of your tires, check out our E-book, Tires. 8

12 Chapter #6 How Drivers Beat the Heat how drivers beat the heat Drivers need to be summerized as well. They need to take special precautions when working in excessive heat and humidity. Such weather conditions can result in a variety of adverse health effects - from discomfort to serious illness, and even death. Here are some things drivers can do to stay safe: Wear lightweight clothing that allows your skin to breathe. Light-colored clothing is best as it will reflect away some of the sun s heat. Slow down and avoid overexertion. If you must do strenuous activity, try to do it during the coolest part of the day, usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Take frequent breaks in the shade or in air conditioning. Whether or not you feel thirsty, drink plenty of water on a regular basis especially when working outside. The body needs water to keep cool and this will protect you against dehydration. Avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine. They can make you feel good briefly, but they will make the heat s effects on your body worse. Stay away from beer, it dehydrates the body. Eat small meals and eat them more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein as they increase metabolic heat. know the warning signs Know the warning signs of a heat illness and seek medical attention immediately if you think there is a problem. Among the warning signs are cramping, rapid pulse, very heavy sweating, hot red skin, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, changes in consciousness and rapid, shallow breathing. 9

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