Considering the average cost for a Heavy-duty semi-truck can run to well over $100,000, it's easy to understand why maintenance plays such an essential role in keeping them running at their best, regardless of whether it is the newest truck in your fleet or your oldest.
What Should Preventative Maintenance Include?
Regular maintenance checks and scheduling timely truck repair ensures that all truck components are working correctly and aren't worn or otherwise damaged.
Check Engine Fluids
Fleet owners should change the engine oil regularly, and all other fluids should get checked and topped off as needed. Low levels or poor quality engine oil can cause significant damage to a semi-truck engine. Too little or poor quality engine oil results in wear and tear on the engine components, leading to decreased performance, increased fuel consumption, and eventual engine failure. In addition, metal parts will rub together without adequate lubrication, generating heat and causing premature wear.
Excessive wear can lead to increased engine stress and even cause it to seize. Additionally, old or poor-quality engine oil can become contaminated with dirt, dust, and other contaminants, clogging up the engine and damaging vital components. Equipment diagnosis helps ensure that all parts are operating as expected.
Check Tires And Brakes
Before starting the engine for a long or short run, owners and operators should inspect all tires and wheels for wear and tear or damage. Look for visible signs of damage, such as worn or uneven tread and holes or punctures.
Driving a semi-truck with tires or wheels that are damaged, worn, or bald is incredibly dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Not only can bald or damaged tires lead to an increased risk of tire blowouts, but they can also cause the truck to handle poorly.
As a result, the semi-truck could fishtail on the road, making it difficult to control and increasing the chance of an accident. Poor handling is particularly hazardous if the semi-truck carries a heavy load, as it takes longer to stop. Furthermore, the added strain on the truck's engine due to the damaged tires can lead to a breakdown. Therefore, it is essential to ensure all the tires and wheels on a semi-truck are in good condition before taking it out on the road. Completing necessary repairs to tires and rims helps ensure they are operating as expected and ready to handle the highways and byways without incident.
Like tire inspections and maintenance, owners and operators should check the brake system to ensure everything is functioning correctly and does not require repair. When done regularly, these things will help extend the semi-trucks lifespan and keep it running efficiently for the long haul.