If you’re a truck driver, the last thing you want is to have something happen to your vehicle in the middle of a trip. Problems with your truck can be costly to fix, and they can impact your workflow significantly. The best way to deal with issues your truck has is to deal with them ahead of time in the form of preventative truck maintenance. By staying on top of problems before they grow too big, you can avoid more dire situations in the future. Here are preventative truck maintenance procedures you should be following.
Check Fluid Levels and Change Fluids When Needed
Checking on your fluid levels only takes a couple of minutes, but these couple of minutes can help you avoid facing bigger problems down the road. If you notice there is less fluid from one check to the next, it means you have either a leak or consumption problem in need of addressing.
Normally, your fluids will drop from regular usage of your truck. The frequency at which you need to change your fluids will be impacted by how much you drive. When changing fluids for your truck, abide by the suggestions put in place by your manufacturer.
Confirm Your Truck’s Tire Pressure
Tire pressure should always be factored into your truck maintenance routine. Whenever your tires make contact with the road, they will get worn down, meaning you’ll have to get your tires inflated again to ensure that they don’t get worn down more quickly than they should. This also helps your tires wear more evenly, which assists in your truck’s fuel efficiency.
Perform an Inspection On Your Brakes
Trucks hold a lot of weight, which means stopping them requires a lot of power from your truck’s brakes. Check on your brakes frequently, and replace them if they get worn down too much. You should also see if there is even wear front and back, as well as side to side. If there is, it means your brake system might not be balanced appropriately, so you’ll have to get your brake system adjusted.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star for all Your Trucking Needs!
Whether you are looking to upgrade your fleet to tow trucks or are simply interested in the latest trucking technology, you can rely on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. We have provided top-notch service for the trucking industry for 30 years and would love to assist you in buying a new top-of-the-line truck, finding the specialty parts you need, or repairing your truck. Give us a call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474, or contact us online. To find out more about what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Tags: safety, trucking basics, trucking tips