Brakes on a semi-truck wear out much faster than those on a standard vehicle.
Part of owning and driving a semi truck is maintaining it so that you and everyone around you on the road is kept safe. There are many factors of driving that you can’t control, from the traffic to the weather, but making sure that the most commonly replaced semi truck parts are in good working order on your rig is one that you can. Doing this will keep your rig running well, keep you safe, and help ensure the safety of other vehicles on the road. It is also a good practice, like keeping your truck clean and maintaining a good sleep schedule. Read on for five of the most commonly replaced parts on your truck.
Brakes
This tops the list because brake maintenance is one of the most crucial maintenance activities that you have to do. Consider how heavy your rig typically is and how much stopping power is needed for braking in traffic or going down a grade. Your brakes are a huge part of vehicle and road safety. And they wear out since they get intensive daily use. Keep in mind that brake systems on a semi-truck wear out more quickly than those on a standard vehicle, so you should be having them inspected often. You should also practice braking as slowly and smoothly as possible – hard and fast braking wears brakes out faster.
Clutch
The clutch is another part that wears out faster on a truck, and when it does, continuing to drive with it can make the ride very uncomfortable and contribute to excess wear on other parts of the vehicle. If you notice anything strange about the way your clutch is behaving, get it into the shop as soon as possible.
Lights
Your headlights are incredibly important, especially if you drive at night, which many truckers due. Those bulbs don’t last forever, and you want to know that one has burned out before you’re on the road late at night. Make sure that checking your lights is part of your daily rig check.
Tires
Tires are another thing that everyone knows have to be replaced regularly, but that wear out faster on a rig than on a standard car. Truck tires are strong and durable and even re-treads can last for a while, but the roads are really hard on them, so you should be regularly inspecting the tires on your rig to make sure they aren’t showing signs of damage.
Mirrors
Surprisingly, mirrors are another semi-truck part that needs replacing more frequently. Mostly this is due to rocks and other debris that gets kicked up and breaks or damages them.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star for all Your Trucking Needs!
Whether you are looking to upgrade your fleet to tow trucks or 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: semi-truck, truck parts, trucking