If you're a commercial truck driver, then you know that preventive maintenance is key to keeping your vehicle on the road. A semi truck preventive maintenance checklist can help you keep track of all the necessary maintenance tasks, so you can be sure that your truck is always in top condition. While the specific maintenance tasks will vary depending on the make and model of your truck, there are some general maintenance items that should be on every truck driver's checklist. This semi truck preventive maintenance checklist can help keep your truck in good condition and avoid costly repairs down the road as well as help make your personal semi truck maintenance plan that you can use to systematically inspect your truck.
Air Conditioning Maintenance
When checking the air conditioning system on your truck there are a few things to look for that may be a sign it needs to be repaired before it goes out. A sign that your air conditioning may be going out is by checking for leaks. You want to ensure that your fluid levels in the system are always correct and stay on top of topping off the fluids if needed. You can look at the undercarriage of your truck after it has been parked to see if there is fluid leaking. When checking for leaks you should also inspect the hoses and tighten them regularly which will help prevent any leaks in the future. Another preventative measure you can take to protect your air conditioning system is regularly checking for debris in the air filters and the evaporator. Build up of debris can cause mold and mildew which causes contamination in the system. You do not want your air conditioner out of commission when the temperatures change from cold to hot.
Brake Maintenance
The brakes on your truck are one of the main parts that take the most daily wear and tear. Checking your brakes regularly is not only helpful for preventative maintenance but also ensures safety while you are on the road. Checking your brakes is something that you should do daily as a semi-truck driver. To check your brakes you should inspect the brake pads to ensure the lining meets the width requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCA). If the lining is low, you should replace your brake pads immediately. You should also check for cracks or damages in the different parts of the braking system including brake pads, rotors, calipers, brake chambers, cam rollers, s-cams, and slack adjusters. The brakes on your semi-truck are essential to keep it in top condition for the safety of you and other automobiles on the road.
Tire Maintenance
The tires on your truck are another part that takes a lot of daily wear. There are a few things to different things to look for when doing your routine tire check. A tire that has become worn can be a major hazard to you as a driver and others on the road. When checking your tires the main things you should look for are the air pressure, normal wear, and tread depth. You will want to check for any cuts, punctures, or bulges on all parts of the tire including the side walls and the tread. You will also want to use a tire pressure gauge to ensure your tires are properly inflated. The level of inflation varies based on the make and model of your truck and can be found in the manufactures guide. Lastly, you will want to check the tread depth. There are federal requirements enforced on the tread depth for semi trucks. The steer tires are required to be 4/32 and all other tires are required to be 2/32 of an inch.
Electrical Maintenance
Electrical maintenance includes checking the warning lights, brake lights, turn signals, and flashers. This should be a part of the pre-trip inspection but is also useful when going through your routine semi-truck preventive maintenance checklist. It is also important to check the intermodal equipment of the truck as part of the preventative maintenance routine. This would include ensuring all wires are tightly connected, all interfaces are working, and the cabin lights are in functioning order.
Fluid Maintenance
It is important to keep up with all the fluids in the truck. The main signal of a fluid issue in the truck is by checking the undercarriage of the truck to check for any leaks. You will also want to upkeep the fluid levels for the coolant, antifreeze, power steering, fuel, and oil. Checking for leaks and fluid levels is an important part of semi-truck maintenance and is a quick and easy step in your semi-truck preventive maintenance checklist.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
On top of your frequent preventative maintenance checks, you should plan for your truck to be serviced by a professional. The schedule for planning routine maintenance is based off of the distance the truck travels. According to this article, there are three types of maintenance every truck should receive:
- Basic Service: The basic service is recommended for every 15,000 miles the truck drives. This type of service includes checking lights, brakes, and fluid levels. We recommend this to be part of your preventative checklist, but if it is not done routinely these items should be checked every 15,000 miles. This is also a great time to update wiper blades or any other small parts of the vehicle that may need to be replaced.
- Thorough Inspections: Thorough inspections are recommended for every 30,000 miles. This is when it is recommended to have the truck's oil changed as well as the air and fuel.
- Full Inspection: The full inspection is recommended to be done once a year. During these inspections, the engine, transmission, and other major components should be checked.
Document Your Maintenance Checks
Most semi-truck drivers have a pre-trip inspection checklist that they use to document and keep track of their findings before their trips. Having a semi-truck maintenance plan is a great addition to a pre-trip checklist. The FMCSA requires each vehicle to have one year of documented and planned service, having a semi-truck maintenance plan is a good way to help meet the requirements of the FMCSA. The best way to keep track of services is by using a digital record. There are many services available that offer documentation templates in the trucking industry for preventative maintenance checklists.