- ChangChun City, Jilin Province, China
by 
The scorching summer sun beats down mercilessly, transforming highways into ovens and pushing your FAW trucks to their thermal limits. For fleet managers and owner-operators in hot climates, neglecting summer truck maintenance isn’t just risky—it’s a costly gamble. Engine seizures, blowouts, and untimely breakdowns spike during these months, directly hitting your bottom line. Here’s the reality: summer truck maintenance isn’t optional. It’s your shield against downtime.
High ambient temperatures push coolant systems to their brink. When engines overheat:
– Lubricant viscosity drops, causing accelerated wear on pistons, cylinders, and bearings.
– Pistons can expand excessively, scuffing cylinder walls or even seizing.
– Combustion chambers may experience pre-ignition (knocking), violently stressing internal components.
Summer roads radiate intense heat. Under-inflated tires flex excessively, generating internal heat. Over-inflated tires reduce the contact patch, concentrating stress. Both scenarios heighten the risk of catastrophic blowouts—a leading cause of summer accidents.
A malfunctioning AC isn’t just uncomfortable; driver fatigue from heat exposure impairs focus and safety. Clogged condensers (from bugs/debris), low refrigerant, or failing compressors are common culprits in extreme heat.
Engine oil oxidizes faster in heat, losing its protective properties. Coolant can boil off, leading to inadequate cooling and corrosion. Brake fluid’s boiling point lowers, risking vapor lock and brake fade.
Wiring insulation becomes brittle, increasing short-circuit risks. Hoses (coolant, fuel, air intake) and belts crack or swell, causing leaks or breaks. Cab seals degrade, letting dust in and cool air out.
Why: The frontline defense against engine meltdown. Clogged radiators (insects/debris), weak water pumps, or degraded coolant cause >90% of overheating incidents.
Action:
– Flush and replace coolant every 2 years using FAW-approved extended-life coolant (avoid water—minerals cause scaling).
– Pressure-test hoses and the radiator cap. Replace swollen/cracked hoses immediately.
– Clean radiator fins externally (use low-pressure air/water; high pressure bends fins).
Why: Asphalt temperatures can exceed 70°C (160°F), making tires prone to blowouts. Brake friction generates extreme heat, accelerating pad wear and fluid deterioration.
Action:
– Check pressure cold weekly; adjust to FAW’s recommended PSI (never bleed hot tires!).
– Inspect tread depth and sidewalls for cuts/bubbles. Rotate every 10,000 km.
– Measure brake pad thickness (<4mm requires replacement) and test brake fluid moisture content.
Why: Driver alertness depends on cabin comfort. Dust-clogged filters, leaking condensers, or low refrigerant cripple performance.
Action:
– Clean condenser coils monthly (front of radiator).
– Replace cabin air filters.
– Recharge with specified refrigerant (R134a/R1234yf) ONLY if leaks are fixed.
Why: Heat thins oil, reducing its load-bearing film strength. Contaminants increase rapidly, risking bearing and turbocharger damage.
Action:
– Switch to SAE 15W-40 or FAW-specified high-temperature synthetic oil.
– Shorten oil change intervals by 25–30% in extreme heat.
– Replace oil, fuel, and air filters per severe-service schedules.
Why: Rubber belts crack and glaze under heat stress. Wiring insulation brittleness leads to shorts—a fire hazard.
Action:
– Check serpentine belt tension and cracks. Replace if >50% rib damage exists.
– Inspect battery terminals for corrosion and wiring harnesses for chafing/exposure.
Pro Tip: Recommend auxiliary radiator fans, viscous fan drives, and premium silicone hoses as essential FAW truck upgrades.
Summer truck maintenance separates reliable fleets from stranded operators. For FAW truck owners in hot zones, this isn’t seasonal advice—it’s operational law. Implement this checklist, tailor it to your climate, and insist on genuine FAW components. Your trucks will deliver peak performance when competitors are sidelined.
Contact us for a customized FAW truck and parts recommendation!
FAW is one of China’s oldest and largest automotive manufacturers, with registered capital of RMB 35.4 billion yuan and total assets of RMB 457.83 billion yuan.
CHINA FAW GROUP CO., LTD. (short for FAW), formerly China First Automobile Works, can trace its roots back to Jul 15, 1953, when its first assembly plant started to be constructed. FAW is one of China’s oldest and largest automotive manufacturers, with registered capital of RMB 35.4 billion yuan and total assets of RMB 457.83 billion yuan.
China heavy truck sales global “five in a row”, heavy truck sales global “six in a row”, tractor sales for 16 consecutive years absolute leading industry.
