What Are the Most Important Aspects of Truck Service and Maintenance?
When you're hauling 40,000 pounds of cargo and you've still got a thousand miles to go, you need to know that your truck will be up to the task. Keeping your truck properly maintained and serviced is absolutely vital if you're going to meet those deadlines and be ready for whatever jobs come your way.
Since 1982, Mainline RV & Truck Service has been Ohio's premier source for truck service and maintenance, and we want to help every driver complete every run they make with no down time. When you're looking to maintain your truck, these are the most important aspects to focus on.
Do's and Don'ts of Truck Maintenance
When you rely on trucks for work, it's absolutely vital to perform proper truck maintenance and inspections on a regular basis. The reasons for this are numerous.
Good maintenance can:
- Improve safety on the road, protecting yourself, your load, and nearby vehicles.
- Increase the lifespan of your vehicle.
- Prevent costly breakdowns and repairs that harm your productivity.
- Ensure your truck is always street-legal, and won't needlessly attract police.
No matter if you're an independent owner-operator, or managing an entire fleet, truck maintenance needs to be one of your highest priorities! So let's talk about what you should and shouldn't do when maintaining your truck.
I. Must-Do's of Truck Maintenance
Important Truck Service and Maintenance Factors You Can't Afford To Ignore
1 - Oil Changes
Never allow the oil in your truck to get too low, or too dirty. You should check the oil before every major job, and top it off as needed. Oil changes will also be needed, typically around every 7,000 - 10,000 miles depending on how hard you run your truck.
2 - Other Fluids
Almost like a living creature, your truck has numerous fluids in it which are vital for proper operation. These include your oil and other lubricants, coolant/antifreeze, brake and transmission fluids, and more. Best practice here is to check all your fluids at least once a month, and even more often if you exclusively do long-hauls. There are plenty of other fluids that your truck needs to function, including coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. Be familiar with how to check these for your particular truck, and always make sure they're properly topped off before a major job.
Plus, always be on the lookout for leaks. If you ever see unusual fluids dripping from your truck, take it to a truck service shop ASAP to and have them diagnose the problem before it gets worse. A small leak can turn into full fluid loss very quickly.
3 - Tire Maintenance
As the single point of contact between your truck and the road, your tires might actually be the most important part of your truck. If your tires are in good shape and properly inflated, you can feel certain that you'll be able to maintain control, even in poor driving conditions.
However, if your tires are allowed to wear out their tread, or are not set at the proper inflation, you'll quickly see degraded performance. Well-maintained tires will improve your gas mileage as well, saving you money.
Keep an eye on tire pressure, and be sure all your tires always inflated to the manufacturer's specs. Also, remember that air temperature can also affect pressure. Your PSI will rise when it's hot, and lower when it's cold. You should also take your truck in to have its tires rotated every 7000 miles or so, or basically whenever you have an oil change.
4 - Battery
Your battery is necessary for running all onboard electrical systems, and likely powers all your additional devices (TV, fridge, etc) as well. A good truck battery will typically last around 3-5 years but pay attention to its behavior. If you start getting brownouts on the road or struggle to power devices that ran fine six months ago, you probably need a new battery.
5 - Lights
Your lighting system is a critical safety feature - and also one which is an absolute magnet for cops if you lose one or more major lights on the road. You should frequently power up your truck at night, then do a walkaround to ensure every light is still functioning properly on both your truck and trailer. Always replace burned-out or broken lights ASAP to avoid unnecessary tickets.
6 - Air Filter Changes
The engine air filter purifies the air entering your engine prior to combustion. This ensures the incoming air required for fuel ignition is filters any particles that could lead to future engine problems. The air cabin filter in your cab keeps your in-cab AC system blowing clean air. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for how often these filters need to be replaced.
7 - Brake Inspections
Side-by-side with the tires, you need to know your brakes will always be there when you need them. Whenever you have your truck's tires inflated or rotated, be sure to also have the brakes and brake pads checked as well. A brake failure on the road could be absolutely disastrous.
If your brakes ever fail on the road, it could be disastrous. Be sure to regularly take your truck into a repair shop for brake inspections every six months or so.
II. Major DON'Ts of Truck Maintenance
There are a few mistakes we see too often.
1 - Ignoring Regular Maintenance
Truck maintenance is an insurance policy. It might take a little time and money, but regular maintenance will be far less expensive than even a single major breakdown or other incident. It'll keep your truck running for longer, too.
2 - Using Cheap Parts
When you're dealing with working vehicles that need to function properly, it's unwise to use the cheapest parts and components you can find. Paying a little extra for quality parts will pay off with a more reliable, longer-lasting truck.
3 - Disregarding your Owner's Manuals
Always refer back to the original manufacturer's documentation for matters such as tire inflation, type of oil to use, recommended replacement intervals, and similar matters. This is one of the easiest ways to keep your truck running well, yet so many operators ignore the manual.
Come to Mainline for Certified Truck Service
Whenever your truck needs repairs in Ohio, Mainline RV & Truck Service is here for you!
Mainline RV & Truck Service is Ohio's premiere all-service truck stop! Drivers come from all over for our extensive parts and upgrades selection, as well as our expert service staff. Click here to schedule an appointment.
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