Successful businesses rely on timely delivery of their products. Shippers and customers alike depend on shipments being delivered on time and intact.
However, there are factors out of everyone’s control that can lead to delivery delays. There are many factors that can hinder you from doing your job, including traffic, accidents in front of you, and weather.
While there are so many variables out of your control, you can control one: your truck. To avoid experiencing any downtime, damage, or urgent repairs with your vehicle, make sure to bring it in to a reliable truck mechanic for some TLC and maintenance.
Why Hire A Mechanic For Your Truck Fleets
Truck maintenance is necessary for many obvious reasons, including:
1. Avoiding Costly Repairs
Routine maintenance will keep your costs predictable and is cheaper than emergency roadside assistance or emergency repairs, which can devour your profits and impact your bottom line.
2. Increasing The Life Span Of Your Truck
Maintaining your truck increases uptime, lowers your operating costs, lowers your cost per mile, and makes your business more profitable.
3. Meeting Department Of Transportation Regulations
You won’t be able to drive your truck until every Out-Of-Service (OOS) violation is corrected.
4. Promoting Safety
It is crucial to maintain a truck for the safety of the drivers, the shipments, and the road sharing traffic.
When Should A Mechanic Maintain Your Truck Fleets
The answer to this question is different depending on a few factors. Periodic maintenance can be performed based on:
Mileage Reached
For long-haul usage, maintenance is recommended every 30,000 miles or at least once a year, whichever comes first. Basic procedures like oil changes, filter changes, and safety checks are included. The mechanic can then inspect for early signs of wear and tear before they become a serious problem.
Truck Application
Season And Location
During winter and rainy seasons, commercial trucks are subjected to harsh conditions. It is imperative that heavy duty trucks are serviced prior to this time to improve their driving experience. Among the procedures performed are installing winter tires, having their air systems inspected, checking coolant, testing their batteries, and testing their engine block heaters.
When it comes to deciding when the best time is to service your truck, you should always consider the mileage. Basic maintenance services should be performed every 10,000 to 20,000 miles, on average. A basic service includes a quick check of your truck to ensure your lights and brakes are working properly, along with having your oil and lubricants refilled. You can find your intervals in the owner’s manual.
The suggested mileage for a more thorough inspection, like a preventative maintenance check, would be every 30,000 miles. A maintenance check would include critical components such as:
- Alignment and steering inspection
- Brake inspection
- Lighting and electrical inspection
- Oil, air, and fuel filter change
- Oil and lube change
- Proper tile inflation
- Repairs to ensure the truck complies with the Department of Transportation standards
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires at least one Period Maintenance Inspection per year.
Don’t have your trucks serviced when it’s already too late. Make sure your truck is safe, legal and ready to handle the challenges of driving on the road. Keeping your truck in good condition will make it last longer if you plan in advance. This will make you more reliable to your customers and more likely to get repeat business.
Get Maintenance Services From Us
Veteran-owned and operated, WTX Truck Repair, LLC specializes in the repair of trucks and trailers. With our rapid response time, we can service all truck drivers and fleet managers in Dallas, Texas.
While we specialize in 24/7 Mobile Repair, we also have a full-service shop that can handle repairs from bumper to bumper. Mechanics at our shop are experienced, professional, and committed to getting our customers back on the road quickly and safely.
Get a quote from us or learn more about our services today. Call us at (432) 444-3284.
