If you run a trucking fleet, you’re probably no stranger to putting out fires whenever they arise—and without preventive or routine maintenance, they can be quite a handful. For instance, you’d have to worry about breakdowns in the middle of the road, requesting roadside assistance, possible towing situations, part replacements, and expensive repairs.
However, what if we tell you that there is something you can do to reduce overall expenses in maintaining your trucking fleet? The answer is preventative fleet maintenance. A well-maintained truck burns less fuel, breaks down less often, and may even lower your operating cost in the long run. Taking a proactive approach also means you can stop problems in their tracks before they snowball into safety hazards.
Still unconvinced? Take it from us here at WTX Truck Repair, LLC, a truck repair services provider here at Odessa, TX. Here are five basic truck maintenance tips you should consider to help prolong the life of your fleet.
Create A Preventive Maintenance Checklist And Include All Components Of Your Truck
Creating a preventive maintenance checklist for your trucks can help you easily spot any abnormalities or deformities your fleet may have. This should ideally be done prior to service inspections so you’ll have pertinent information like make and model, components, and serial numbers readily available to you. Ensure you account for all vehicle components as missing a crucial part may leave your trucks under-maintained and at risk for breakdowns in the future.
Create A Fleet Inspector Role
A regularly set inspection schedule is the first step to maintaining a healthy fleet. Preventive maintenance like oil changes, tire changes, and engine cleaning must be done regularly. If the cost or effort of maintaining this schedule is too high, consider hiring a dedicated, experienced fleet inspector who will take care of these things for you. Consider hiring truck maintenance companies in Texas for this role.
Keep Your Trucks Clean
Keeping your truck clean can come a long way in helping it remain in good working order. Wash away any dirt, grime, or gunk that may cling to both the exterior and interior of your trucks to ensure no debris gets in the way of its parts performing their functions. Keeping the exterior of your vehicles clean also helps you catch issues like rust and deterioration early.
Invest In Tire Health
While tires do tend to get overlooked, they are arguably the most important component on your truck. After all, tires are what allow you and your truck to move from one place to another. However, tire maintenance is more than just changing truck tires. Truck tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles to distribute the tread wear evenly and help them last longer. Wheel alignment also impacts tire health. If wheels are out of alignment, they will wear out unevenly and faster than they normally should. Regularly check the pressure of your truck’s tires to make sure they are inflated at the recommended air pressure. This will keep them lasting longer and will also help with fuel economy over those long hauls. Tires are expensive, but by checking your tire pressure regularly, you can extend their life. Keeping your truck’s tires clean can help them last longer. Wash away the road salt, dirt, debris, grease and grime to get more out of your tires.
Organize Vehicle Preventive Maintenance By Type And Frequency
Keep your trucking fleet’s preventive maintenance on track by organizing them by type and frequency. You should do a thorough inspection of your fleets and determine which requires daily, monthly, and yearly check ups. From there, you can segregate them by task frequency and follow that list to stay on top of your preventive maintenance. Additionally, some tasks can be done together, such as checking the oil and transmission fluid. Making sure those items are grouped together can save time and streamline vehicle inspections.
NEED HELP WEATHERPROOFING YOUR TRUCK?
At WTX Truck Repair, LCC, we provide quality truck repair in Odessa, TX. You can rely on our team to provide expert service and fast repairs. We are experienced with most makes and models of trucks, having worked on them all. Whether you need preventive maintenance or serious repairs, our experts will restore your vehicle’s original charm. We can accurately diagnose all mechanical problems. Our goal is to make sure your vehicle rides like new by identifying and implementing the right repair solutions.
We are a veteran owned and operated truck repair company straight out of Texas, offering 24 hour roadside service and repair. We service trucks, trailers, reefers, buses, and heavy equipment. Trust that our mechanics can get you back on the road as safely and as quickly as possible when you avail of our services. For easy and trustworthy truck maintenance in Odessa, TX, contact WTX Truck Repair, LLC at (432) 444-3284 or get a direct quote from our website.
