If you own or work for the management of a commercial truck, you should be aware that they require constant preventive maintenance just like any other vehicle. This is because they carry a lot of valuable and sometimes fragile cargo, so they cannot afford to break down during their operation.
Worrying about breakdowns undermining your efficiency is just as bad as not maintaining your vehicle in the first place. This is why you must follow proper commercial truck maintenance.
That all being said, what are the guidelines for proper commercial vehicle maintenance? Continue reading to learn more.
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What A Commercial Truck Maintenance Include
Commercial truck maintenance is a business necessity. A well-maintained truck can make a good impression and help build customer trust, while a poorly maintained truck can have the opposite effect. Here are five routine maintenance to perform to keep your truck in good shape:
1. Changing the Oil and Filter
You should change a commercial truck’s oil and filter regularly to maintain a healthy engine. Your driving habits will determine how often you need to change the oil in your machine, but you should do it around every 10,000 miles. Checking your owner’s manual for directions on opening your engine compartment is the first step in changing the oil in your engine.
Once the compartment has been opened, look for a hole marked “drain plug” to determine where the old oil can be drained. After completely emptying the old oil from your car’s engine, add fresh oil, being careful not to overfill the engine.
2. Check the Fuel System
Fuel system checks are one of the most important parts of commercial truck maintenance. They help detect any problems with fuel quality or quantity before they worsen.
3. Observe the Electrical System and Braking Components
Brakes and the electrical system are only two of the many components that need to be maintained on commercial trucks. All of the lights, signals, wipers, and other electronics in a commercial vehicle are partly powered by it.
If these two systems aren’t functioning correctly, drivers may get into an accident. Or they could be stopped by police for failing to use their headlights or taillights.
4. Inspect Tires, Wheels, and Rims
You must inspect the tires, wheels, and rims. Wheels can go flat and harm the truck, while tires can wear out and make the truck dangerous to drive.
Moreover, damaged or bent rims can create risky driving conditions. If you’re driving a semi-truck and you notice something’s off with your tires, check if you need a semi truck tire repair.
5. Check the Body, Glass, and Mirrors
To ensure the truck is in good shape and safe to drive, you should regularly inspect the body, glass, and mirrors. At the very least, this needs to be done each month.
The truck’s body should be in good condition, with no rust or dents. Also, the glass should have no cracks or scratches, and the mirrors should be intact and not foggy.
Keep Your Commercial Trucks in Tip-Top Shape
Routine maintenance is vital to the longevity and performance of any commercial truck. Commercial truck fleet owners and operators must develop and adhere to a routine commercial truck maintenance schedule to ensure peak performance and avoid expensive repairs.
Use these guidelines to create a maintenance schedule that fits your needs. Be sure to consult a qualified mechanic to ensure your truck is in good working condition.
By following these tips, you can keep your commercial truck running smoothly for years.
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