Semi-truck maintenance is a key to smooth freight transportation. Here’s how it’s done.
Creating a maintenance plan around your semi-truck’s needs is a crucial plan of action. It’s not always the easiest thing to maintain a semi-truck, but if you want to continue making money with your trucking business, it’s all part of the plan.
That said, you may not know how to maintain a semi-truck. With all of those delicate mechanical pieces working together harmoniously to power your truck, just one piece can be thrown out of whack and render your vehicle useless. To combat this, you must know how to maintain a semi-truck properly and what to look for. Here’s our list to get you started.
Seasonal Maintenance Ideas
The seasonal changes bring plenty of truck problems with them. Do your best to adjust on the fly and respond to what nature is telling you. In hot weather, check your air conditioning for any leaks or debris. You should also drain, flush, and pressure test your coolant system. Make sure your battery shows no signs of corrosion and all wires are secured. Lastly, keep an eye on tire pressure, as hot enough air can raise your tire air pressure over safe limits.
On the other hand, during cold weather seasons, you can check for chips or cracks on your windshield. Take a look at your wiper blades as well and make sure they are free from dry rot and any debris. Your defrosters should be in working order, too. As for your brakes, they’re essential during the winter—check your ABS system because it’s not uncommon for brakes to freeze. Check all fluids daily like engine oil, engine coolant, wiper fluid, and power steering fluid.
Pre-Trip Inspection Routine
Before you go on any extended trip, there are a few tasks you should take care of. By implementing this routine into your trucking career, you can better know when it’s time to maintain a semi-truck and gain valuable experience in keeping your truck road ready.
Brakes: Being unable to stop because your brakes aren’t in working order would be a disaster in any vehicle, but even more so in a semi-truck. You should inspect them daily as they take wear and tear daily, too. Your brake pads should have sufficient lining material; if not, take your truck in to get serviced. You should also look for any kind of debris that may have made its way into your braking system. Lastly, look for cracks or damages to any part of your brakes.
Tires: It’s important to keep a watchful eye on your tires. Look for things like uneven wear, cuts, punctures, penetrations, abrasions, and anything else that could impact performance. Using a tire air pressure gauge will also help you keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer’s specs.
Fluids: Make sure no fluids are pooling under your truck, otherwise you’ll need repairs. Regularly check all fluid levels before, during, and after any trips. Look for any lights that may indicate a problem with your fluids, too.
Electrical: Do a walk around your truck and inspect every light on your vehicle to make sure they’re in working order. Open your hood to check all wires are firmly attached as well. Lastly, inspect your battery for any signs of potential problems.
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