For maintenance and repair services for trucks in Dallas, Texas, WTX Truck Repair, LLC is your reliable go-to vehicle repair shop and roadside assistance center. We believe that more technical and major issues that arise with your fleet should be handled by professionals with years of experience in keeping trucks in their best possible shape.
But for common and easy fixes, sometimes it is much more practical for your drivers to recognize signs of these issues and the easy way to fix them. More than just knowing how to drive a truck, your drivers should be able to spot these common signs there may be something wrong with their truck and how to fix the problem.
Tires
The most common cause of over half of semi trucks breaking down and failing on the road according to the American Trucking Associations are tire issues. As the foundation of your semi trucks, tires play the critical role of carrying and moving the truck with ease. So, when a tire finally deteriorates or takes damage, it can be the cause of a serious accident while on the road.
Here are a few signs to spot to recognize an issue with your tires:
- Worn-out/Low Tread Depth – Tires have a lifespan of around six to ten years. During this time, the pattern of your tires’ treads will wear out and provide less traction (which may be dangerous in rainy or snowy driving conditions when there is less friction on the road). There’s also a higher risk of your tires getting punctured by debris. If you begin to notice your tires worn out or the grooves not as deep as it once was, it’s a sign that it might be time to have your tires replaced.
- Low Pressure – Using a tire-pressure gauge, measure the pressure of your truck’s wheels. If they are lower than normal, check for punctures as it could eventually lead to a flat tire while on the road. Aside from punctures, low pressure can be caused by improper inflation and temperature changes. If left unchecked or if you do not re-inflate your tires to its proper pressure levels, it can cause heat build-up in the sidewalls, which could then lead to a weak point and faster wear.
- Wheel End Components – The parts of the wheel consisting of the axle, rod, bearings, and nuts can also age, rust, and face wear and tear after a certain number of miles. It is possible to replace these parts on your own when necessary. However, we don’t recommend changing these parts if you are unsure about the right process of handling it.
Brakes
Did you know that almost 30% of semi truck accidents are caused by faulty brakes? That’s around 41,000 trucks in one year, making it one of the leading associated factors for vehicle crashes, according to a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. While brake maintenance should definitely be handled by a pro, there are steps you can take to proceed with caution:
- Monitor Your Brakes – Your semi truck’s disc and drum brakes are often exposed to heat, pressure, friction, and force that can cause it to deteriorate over time. If you’ve gone on a trip where you feel like your brakes are getting a workout (e.g. steep slopes, heavy traffic, etc.), consider having your brakes checked especially after a major trip.
- Avoid Exerting Your Brakes – There are some bad practices that can take a toll on your brakes because of the heat and pressure applied to it. Try to avoid the following:
- Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving down a steep hill. This can cause overheating. Instead, switch to a lower gear.
- Exerting too much pressure on the brakes during heavy traffic. This can also cause overheating. Instead of exerting force on the breaks, drive slowly and leave space between vehicles so your truck can slow down more easily.
- External elements – Elements like heat, weather, and temperature can affect your brakes. As much as possible, be sure to check on your brakes during the winter months or while driving through rain and other inclement weather.
When To See A Professional
Observe the changes or any problem that may arise in your truck. If you locate the problem and are unsure of how to fix the damage, it’s much better to see a professional and have them handle the problem. But for replacing some external parts and observing the performance of your tires and brakes, it is possible to handle some of these fixes on your own.
For a professional team that provides reliable truck repair services in Dallas, Texas, contact WTX Truck Repair, LLC. If you’ve noticed something wrong with your truck and are unsure how to proceed, let us handle your semi-truck and get it back on the road as soon as possible.
