When you use a heavy-duty truck, you know how effective it is. With a durable chassis, powerful engines, heavy-duty brakes, and specific outfitting for a particular job, this type of truck can do a greater amount of work for a longer period of time compared to other conventional trucks.
These heavy-duty vehicles, however, become less effective as they are used more. Because of the strong demand for trucking and the advanced technology in trucks, truck maintenance costs, including those in Odessa, TX, have steadily increased over the past few years.
When you’re running a fleet company of any size, you want to maintain your trucks properly and maximize their lifespan. A truck with no problems will make it easier for you to operate normally and efficiently.
10 Tips For Truck Preventative Maintenance
The following are the top ten preventative maintenance tips we suggest all trucking businesses follow. Make sure to create a truck maintenance checklist so you can cover all aspects.
1. Check Fluid Levels.
Drops in a fluid level between checks are a good indication that you have a leak or consumption problem that you can fix before it becomes a major issue.
2. Change Fluids.
Change your fluids according to how many miles you drive, the weight of the loads you carry, and the kind of driving you do (highway, dusty roads, city traffic, etc.). Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for changing fluids.
3. Verify Tire Pressures.
Tires are your contact with the road and you want to keep them properly inflated to prevent uneven wear, maximize fuel economy, and provide optimum traction, braking, and load-carrying abilities at all times.
4. Check Your Tires.
Uneven tire wear can be caused by low tire pressure or alignment or suspension problems. Include a check of your tire condition and tread depth in your preventative maintenance plan.
5. Inspect Your Brakes.
Check your brakes frequently and replace them when they reach the minimum wear condition. Look for even wear side to side and front to back. Your brake system might not be balanced, requiring repairs or adjustments to ensure proper braking performance.
6. Check Air Filters
As a filter becomes clogged, it can reduce the amount of air getting into your engine, resulting in decreased power and fuel economy. Changing your air filter regularly is important, and you should do so more often if you frequently drive on dirty, dusty roads.
7. Verify The Electrical System And Battery Load
Your truck’s electrical system is put to the test by long-distance driving and frequent stops and starts. A yearly checkup of your battery, alternator, and electrical system is a good idea.
8. Inspect Your Gearbox And Clutch
The combination of high-torque engines and heavy loads puts a lot of strain on your transmission and clutch. By regularly inspecting your gearbox and ensuring that it is functioning properly, you can catch problems as they arise. Additionally, you will want to make sure your clutch is not slipping, as this can affect reliability and fuel economy.
9. Make Sure Your Exterior Light Is Working
By checking your exterior lighting before you hit the road, you can catch burnt out bulbs and replace them. Check your running, brake, signal, and hazard lights as part of your preventative maintenance to avoid being pulled over over a burnt bulb.
10. Service Your Fifth Wheel Platform
If you can’t securely hook up your trailer to your fifth wheel platform, it can slow you down and even keep your truck off the road. You should inspect your platform periodically and grease/adjust it as necessary. Make sure the platform mechanism is clean and inspect for excessive wear or components that need to be replaced.
Make sure to do a short inspection before heading out the road with your heavy-duty trucks. By doing this quick task, you can end up saving yourself a lot of time and money if you find anything wrong with your vehicle.
We’ll Take Care Of Your Truck
If your company truck needs repairs, you can entrust it to just any mechanic. Make sure you hire a company that provides reliable truck maintenance and repairs for medium- and heavy-duty trucks in Odessa, TX.
We at WTX Truck Repair, LLC can do that for you. Our goal is to minimize your downtime by repairing your truck fast. We provide everything from systematic preventive maintenance to truck body replacements for your company’s trucks.
Ensure the safety of your vehicles on the road. For truck repairs and maintenance, contact us today at (432) 444-3284.
