Semi-Truck Maintenance: A Comprehensive Guide

Whether your fleet company uses telematics systems or relies on drivers to report maintenance issues, fleet vehicle maintenance is an important part of the job. Your fleet is an important and valuable asset crucial to your business’s mission. Preventative maintenance protects this asset. It keeps your fleet in good working order and ensures that vehicles are ready to go when you need them. Fleet maintenance can:

• Lower your costs
• Reduce your liability risk
• Lengthen vehicle lifespan
• Make the roads safer
• Reduce vehicle downtime
• So much more

A preventative maintenance checklist helps ensure that you get all these business benefits. It reduces the chances for human error and ensures the health of your fleet.

Many preventative maintenance tasks will have their own timeline, such as oil changes. Other tasks will be performed at regular intervals. Additionally, drivers should perform pre-trip and post-trip checks to minimize the chances of breakdowns on hauls. Some fleets choose to create a fleet inspector role to manage the preventative maintenance for their vehicles. This addition to your staff can help you focus on other aspects of your business. A fleet maintenance service can also help you manage this.

Let’s take a closer look at what it takes to keep the vehicles in your fleet performing optimally.

Semi-Truck Maintenance Checklist

Transmission, Engine, & Exhaust

Components in the drivetrain can suffer wear and tear, and many of these mechanical parts can wear prematurely over time. If you catch problems early, you can save yourself costly repairs. Inspect these mechanical parts as part of your maintenance schedule:

• Exhaust System
• Driveshaft
• Engine cooling system
• Power steering
• The differential and gearbox

Fluid Levels

Vehicles need adequate fluid levels and qualities to prevent maintenance issues. Check on these fluids to keep your vehicles running smoothly:

• Differential and transmission fluid
• Power steering fluids
• Engine oil
• Coolants

In addition to checking fluid levels, you’ll need to change or service any filters and inspect related components or systems.

Chassis & Body

The body and chassis of fleet vehicles require regular inspection. Examine these areas for signs of dents or scratches. They can lead to rust and chipping. Check these parts on your vehicle to protect its body and structure:

• Suspensions
• Wheel axels and undercarriage
• Undercoating
• Body fenders and panels
• Bumpers and grilles
• Doors and windows

Maintenance plans should include lubricating the drivetrain, chassis, slack adjusters, and other components.

Wheels & Tires

Tires get a lot of wear and tear, and it’s crucial to keep them in good working order because they have a significant impact on vehicle performance. Check these components of your wheels and tires:

• Air pressure
• Alignment
• Hub
• Rim balance
• Worn bearings
• Tire expiration date
• Tire tread

Braking System

Inspect your braking system to ensure this essential function of your vehicle is in good working order. Check these features of the system:

• Disks/drums
• Pads/shoes
• Pedal linkage
• Braking response
• Air leaks

Electrical Systems

The vehicle’s electrical systems are yet another important part of performance, especially in newer models. These systems also play a role in driver comfort and safety. Inspect these vehicle components:

• Alternator
• Battery
• AC system
• Wipers
• Lights
• Horn and backup alarm
• Vehicle tracking sensors
• Speed limiter

It’s important to verify that all these parts still function. You’ll also need to check the charging system, including the alternator output and a battery load test. Inspect and clean the battery connections.

Plumbing, Belts, & Couplings

It’s important to ensure that these vehicle features are sufficiently greased and secured and free of clogs, leaks, and overflows.

• Hydraulics and other plumbing systems
• Alternator belt
• Cooling fan belt

Safety Checks

Fleet managers are wise to prioritize safety. It can help retain drivers and limit your risk of costly accidents. Check these vehicle components to keep your drivers safe, comfortable, and happy.

• Antilock brakes
• Cruise control
• Warning system
• Parking sensors
• Climate control
• Assisted road visibility
• GPS and navigation system

DOT inspections are one of the most important safety checks you can perform. While semi-truck D.O.T. inspections are a legal requirement, they can help identify any mechanical issues your truck may have before they cause a larger problem. This can help you identify key preventative maintenance that you may want to address now before a part causes a breakdown or damages other areas of your vehicle.

Why Drivers Should Look After Their Tires

Tire pressure can have a significant impact on your fleet’s performance. Properly inflated tires have so many benefits:

· Improved vehicle handling

· Better fuel economy

· Reduce wear and tear

· Safeguards drivers

If you have a fleet inspector, they can perform tire checks before and after trips, and drivers can check it themselves when they’re on the road. Tire wear will vary across your fleet. Factors like road conditions, driver behavior, and weather impact how quickly tires wear down. Anything less than a 2/32 tread (or 4/32 on steer tires) is dangerous. It can lead to poor performance in bad weather and can cause hydroplaning. Rotating tires and maintaining proper wheel alignment are also important.

Keep Your Vehicles Clean

Your fleet vehicles reflect your company’s image. A tidy appearance makes your business look professional and reliable. Drivers enjoy operating clean vehicles and have greater job satisfaction. It benefits your fleet, too. It’s easier to spot rust or other problems when a truck is clean. That can save you money. In addition to your maintenance schedule, you may wish to include regular cleaning in your maintenance plan.

Coach Your Drivers

Driver behavior can have a big impact on your bottom line, and it’s important for drivers to understand the crucial role they can play in improving fleet performance. Inefficient and unsafe driving practices lead to higher fuel costs, more accidents, and costly repairs. Some fleet managers choose to implement driver safety programs and use telematics tools to improve these behaviors and encourage careful and safe driving. Good preventative maintenance practices can be part of these initiatives. It’s important to help drivers understand why you want them to follow and get them on board. Incentives may help with compliance. Additionally, you need buy-in at every level of your organization to ensure that everyone takes maintenance and safe driving seriously. Drivers should understand that the imperative for safe driving comes from the top.

If you commit to a thorough preventative maintenance program, you’re sure to see the benefits in your bottom line.