While it is important to maintain optimal temperatures in your vehicle’s engine, you also need to make sure your vehicle’s cab is comfortable for the driver. The air conditioning and heating units in your truck can have a major impact on your driver, making his or her job much easier and more enjoyable. Keep your employees safe, happy and productive by making sure the air conditioning and heating units are always working as they should.

Air Conditioning Service

No one wants to sit in a hot, stuffy truck cab. If your air conditioning unit is not running as it should, one of our trained air conditioning specialists will inspect your fleet vehicle’s air conditioner, all lines, the evaporator and the compressor for leaks and wear. The air conditioning unit in your vehicle operates similarly to a refrigerator. Your vehicle’s air conditioning unit is designed to move heat from the inside of your truck to outside of it.

Your vehicle’s air conditioning unit has six major components:
  • The refrigerant carries heat.
  • The compressor circulates and compresses refrigerant within the vehicle’s cooling system.
  • Your vehicle’s condenser changes the refrigerant from gas to liquid and expels heat from the cab.
  • The expansion valve (sometimes called the orifice tube) is a nozzle that simultaneously drops the pressure of the refrigerant liquid, meter its flow and atomize it.
  • Your vehicle’s evaporator transfers heat to the refrigerant from the air blown across it, cooling your truck.
  • The receiver or dryer filters your vehicle’s refrigerant and oil, removing moisture and other contaminants from them.

When you start your vehicle’s air conditioning system, the compressor works by putting the refrigerant under pressure, sending it to the condensing coils, which are generally in front of your vehicle’s radiator. The condenser expels hot air to outside the cab, cooling the air within the vehicle. When this happens, the refrigerant is cooled, and it changes from a gas to a liquid, which then passes through the expansion valve and to the evaporator.

Once the evaporator receives the liquid-state refrigerant, it loses pressure and cools the remaining liquid. The vehicle’s blower moves air across the evaporator and into the vehicle’s interior. If you keep your air conditioning unit turned on, the refrigerant goes through this cycle continuously.

If any of these components is damaged, it can turn your cool truck into a furnace during the summer months. Your vehicle’s air conditioning issue could be as simple as topping off refrigerant to replacing a valve. When your air conditioning unit is not working as it should, bring your vehicle to [ShopName]. One of our trained air conditioning specialists will inspect your truck’s air conditioner, all lines, the evaporator and the compressor for leaks and wear.

Heating

In the winter months, waiting for your vehicle to heat up can sometimes feel like an eternity. If your vehicle’s cab stays frigid in the winter, it can be exhausting to your driver and even detrimental to their health. Make sure your vehicle’s cab is always comfortable and bring your vehicle to [ShopName] if its heating unit is not working as it should.

Preventative maintenance helps ensure the longevity and success of your fleet vehicles. Inspections, repairs and maintenance help prevent small problems from becoming larger ones, which in the end helps your bottom line. If you only take in your vehicles when a problem becomes prevalent enough to notice, this can lead to more down time, which leads to less time on the road and a drastic decrease in productivity.

Effective preventative maintenance programs, such as the ones offered by [ShopName], include:
  • A checklist of tasks performed
  • Preventative maintenance schedules
  • Inspection results
  • Driver-noted issues
  • Trained professional technicians
Oil Change

One of the most effective ways to make sure your fleet vehicles are maintained properly is to have its oil changed regularly. Engine oil is what lubricates your fleet vehicles’ engines, allowing them to run smoothly and last longer. Fleet owners must maintain their vehicles’ engines by changing the oil and using the oil appropriate for their vehicles’ makes and models. The necessary frequency of oil changes has become a point of contention among experts. The best course of action is to check the owner’s manual and follow manufacturer’s recommendations. If the “check engine oil” light comes on while driving, this is a strong indication that the truck is running low on oil. If this happens, bring your vehicle to [ShopName], where we will not only add oil but also check the vehicle for leaks.

Battery Services

The batteries in your fleet vehicle provide electrical currents, which are necessary to start the engine. Most vehicle batteries need to be replaced every few years, depending on the conditions in which you drive. Extreme weather, continued use of vehicle accessories and other conditions can lead to shorter battery life. Over time, your battery loses juice, and you may need to occasionally jump-start your vehicle in order to get it running. If your vehicle is showing signs of lessened battery life, such as delayed start time, you may need to get your battery replaced. The expert team at [ShopName] can examine, diagnose and replace your battery as needed. You can trust us to service your battery and, if necessary, help you find and install the perfect new battery for your vehicle.

Filter Change

Your fleet vehicle needs to run cleanly and smoothly in order to ensure a safe, comfortable drive. One of the best ways to make sure your fleet vehicle’s engine runs well is to regularly replace its filters. Oil, fuel, and air filters must be replaced at regular intervals in order to allow your engine to run at its maximum capacity and continue to carry large, heavy loads. By setting up a maintenance schedule with the team at [ShopName], you can make sure your filters are always replaced on time.

Fluid Flush/Exchange

In addition to replacing filters, you need to make sure the fluids in your fleet vehicle’s engine are both at the right levels and the right consistency. Neglecting to regularly change the coolant, antifreeze and other fluids within your truck’s engine can lead to slower and more difficult driving. The experts at [ShopName] will check your vehicle’s fluid levels and conditions and replace or refill them as needed.

Scheduled Maintenance

The first step to making sure you have a successful fleet is to make sure it is always performing its best. Regular maintenance keeps you and your vehicle ahead of the curve and can help prevent expensive problems from arising.

The team at [ShopName] can help you put together a maintenance schedule to make sure your fleet vehicle is always road-ready. Our experts will review your vehicle’s owner’s manual to ensure its parts are always replaced or maintained as needed, preventing costly problems.

Seasonal Maintenance

Seasonal change can present unique fleet vehicle issues. Whether it’s overheating in the scorching summer sun or electrical issues in the winter, you want to make sure your vehicle is prepared for the changing temperatures. Our team can change fluids and replace parts to keep your vehicle extreme-temperature-ready.

While it is important that your fleet vehicle can move forward, it is also imperative that is can stop! Brakes are pretty much the most important safety device on your fleet vehicle. If you’ve ever partially lost your brakes in the past, you’ll agree that it’s not something you want to experience again. Inspecting your brakes twice a year for wear and damage can protect you and your truck. Additionally, it will help you save money by catching any damage before it becomes too costly. The team at [ShopName] can help you set an inspection schedule to ensure your brakes are in top condition at all times. If your fleet vehicle is due for a brake inspection or brake service, bring it to [ShopName], and our expert team will inspect and diagnose any problems.

Trucks are stopped by air brakes (also called compressed air brake systems). These brakes operate when compressed air presses on a piston, which applies pressure to the brake pad. The entire brake system consists of service brakes, parking brakes, a control pedal and an air storage tank. If any of these components fails, it can cause brakes to malfunction, endangering the driver and surrounding vehicles.

When your brake system shows signs of damage, such as decreased reaction time or odd noises when braking, bring your fleet vehicle to [ShopName] for quick, effective service. Our expert team will inspect and diagnose any problems. Our shop can replace brake pads and shoes and resurface your vehicle’s drums and rotors, improving the performance of your brakes. Once the issue is diagnosed, we will fix and resolve the problem quickly and effectively so your fleet vehicle can get on the road again, worry-free.