If you’re a truck driver or a fleet manager, you might already have an idea on the importance of truck maintenance in Odessa, TX. But for others who take it for granted, preventive maintenance of a semi-truck in Texas can bring you many benefits that can make business easier and more efficient.
We’ve gathered a few reasons why you should spend time on preventive maintenance for your semi-truck and the benefits you can expect.
Benefits Of Regular Preventive Maintenance
Better Fuel Mileage
Conducting preventive maintenance on your semi-truck will mean your truck can operate in peak condition most of the time. Regular truck maintenance will check on different parts of the engine and spot any possible failures early on. You’ll also be greasing movable joints, pivots, and other components that prevent wear and tear while allowing the truck to perform optimally with increased efficiency.
Regular truck maintenance will also check other components of the truck and detect fuel-stealing issues like dirty air filters, improperly inflated or worn-out tires, improperly adjusted brakes, or clogged fuel filters. Keeping an eye on all these parts can save you a tone of fuel.
Reduced Risk Of Breakdowns
One of the main reasons why truck drivers and operators conduct maintenance is to reduce the risk of breakdowns. Making sure that your truck is in great condition before setting out on a trip will reduce the chances of you breaking down in the middle of the highway.
Breakdowns are both inconvenient and costly. Not only does it mean that you have to deal with the emergency repairs of a truck, but it also means that the truck will be out of commission for a couple hours. This leads to delays in the trucks schedule and will result in lost productivity for both you and your clients. Regular preventive maintenance then is not just about keeping your truck healthy, but also your business.
Lower Overall Maintenance Costs
Regular truck maintenance in Odessa, TX has shown a general decrease in overall maintenance costs. Through preventive maintenance, you can spot defects and failures early on that can prevent further damage to more costly parts of a truck. By simply replacing a filter or belt early or topping up on fluids before it runs dry will prolong the health of certain components and the truck in general.
Saves Time
A key benefit of preventive maintenance is you can schedule it. By creating a schedule of preventive maintenance on semi-trucks in your Texas fleet, you can design a system that allows a portion of your fleet to undergo maintenance and repair without affecting your operations. This way, all the trucks in your fleet get looked at regularly and running smoothly, while still being able to meet all the demands of your clients and customers.
When breakdowns occur, which they will more frequently without preventive maintenance, this throws a wrench in all your plans. Delays will occur and you then face the challenge of repair the broken vehicle while also maintaining productivity and delivery timelines.
What Does Proper Preventive Maintenance Look Like?
There are several things you can do for preventive truck maintenance. The first and most obvious is regular comprehensive truck maintenance that checks on all components of the truck. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has an “Annual Vehicle Inspection Report” that gives an outline of all the various pieces of a truck that needs inspection. This list covers things like:
- Brake Systems
- Coupling Devices
- The Exhaust System
- Fuel System
- All Lighting Devices
- Safe Loading
- The Steering Mechanism
- Suspension
- Frame
- Tires
- Wheels and Rims
- Windshield Wipers
In addition to this annual check, it’s also recommended that drivers conduct a post-trip check and report at the end of each driving day. Not only does this help drivers become more familiar with their trucks, this also allows preemptive identification of and resolution of issues.
Need Help With Your Semi-Truck Preventive Maintenance In Texas?
Managing a fleet of trucks and keeping them all in tip-top shape is indeed a challenge. Stay on top of this with the help of a provider of truck maintenance in Odessa, TX like WTX Truck Repair, LLC. We provide quality service and help you keep your fleet running smoothly through regularly maintenance and even 24/7 roadside assistance. Contact us today!
