708-467-7181     16425 Van Dam Rd., South Holland, IL 60473

 

  Proper battery maintenance during the hot summer months is just as important as it is during the frigid winter months. Your truck battery powers your business. Follow this checklist to extend the life of your battery:

Preventative Maintenance
During scheduled preventative maintenance (PM), check and confirm the following:

    Battery connections are clean and free of debris
    Battery connections are tight
    Hold-downs are properly secured
    Battery pack is fully charged

Battery Inspection
Inspect the truck battery pack as part of your regularly scheduled vehicle inspection, any time the operator is experiencing ‘hard starts’ or the truck is being used for shorter runs with hotel loads. When the battery pack is tested, look for the following factors:

    State of charge of the battery pack
    Full charge is 12.6 volts for flooded batteries and 12.8 volts for AGM batteries
    Hold-downs and battery connections are securely fastened
    Batteries are fully recharged and tested with either a load or conductance tester
    Evaluate what loads are being used and how much power is being taken by the additional use of air conditioning during warmer months

If the battery pack is 2-3 years old, the user may want to consider replacing batteries to reduce the risk of a no-start situation or emergency repairs.

Conductance Testing in our Truck Repair Shop.
Conductance uses the battery’s response to a very small signal in attempt to predict the effects of a much larger current. Conductance testing is ineffective on a discharged battery. If the battery is known to be discharged, or if the tester tells the operator to charge before testing again, the battery must be completely recharged.

State-of-Charge
State-of-charge is estimated from the open circuit voltage (OCV) and is used to determine if the battery is in a testable state or to estimate how long charging will take. Worth noting:

    Battery design varies
    Typical values are shown on the charging time tables
    A true 75 percent or better charge state is needed for most testing
   

 

 

If you buy a used semi-truck Operating Costs Are Lower. Consider doing so!

Operating costs are simply the fees you need to run the truck, such as gas, insurance, registration, etc. Typically, with used semi trucks, operating costs are lower. One main reason for this is because the truck is worth less than a newer model. For example, if the truck is totaled in a car accident, the insurance company will pay less to cover the cost of the truck if it is used vs. if it is new. Therefore, your insurance premiums are usually lower with used trucks.

One operating cost you may struggle with is gasoline. Gasoline is an operating cost, but in this case, newer vehicles may actually be better thanks to all the advancements in technology and fuel efficiency. That doesn't mean you can't find a used truck that does have excellent gas mileage. You'll simply need to stop by at our location is South Holland to find your perfect used semi-truck. New doesn't always mean better. By buying used, you can find the exact truck you need for less. Plus, you own the truck, so you get all the benefits.

 

If you're just starting out as a truck driver, you may be considering purchasing a freightliner or a volvo truck for sale. There are other options available, such as buying used. Getting a used semi-truck has many amazing benefits you must consider. Check out these three main advantages to see if a used semi-truck is the right choice for you.
Used Trucks Are Cheaper
As with any used vehicle, the price tag for used semi-trucks is typically significantly less than new trucks. You can expect to pay between $100,000 and $150,000 or more for a brand new semi-truck. The exact price depends on many factors, including:
    Make of the truck
    The model of the truck
    The features