Commercial truck maintenance schedules can be challenging. With so many things to do and tight schedules to keep, it’s easy to lose track of what needs to get done when and how much time it will take. Many companies struggle with finding the right balance between thorough maintenance and cost savings. However, there are ways to make sure your trucks get the care they need without breaking the bank. With the right maintenance plan in place, your commercial fleet will be ready to go at all times, no matter how challenging the conditions are outside. When you have a maintenance plan in place, it’s important to revisit it from time to time to make sure it still makes sense for your business. You may find that your needs have changed as your fleet grows or as you make use of different types of trucks in different ways. The following are some common commercial truck maintenance problems and potential solutions for them:
Every truck on the road is required to comply with EPA emissions regulations. However, many truckers don’t realize that they’re responsible for making sure their trucks are in compliance. If you receive a notice from the EPA that your trucks are out of compliance, you have two options: 1) Fix the issue and bring your trucks into compliance; or 2) Install a compliant after-market exhaust system.If you decide to install a compliant after-market exhaust system, keep in mind that it will add to your overall cost of operation. This is because you’ll have to pay for the emissions testing, installation, and maintenance of the system. If you decide to fix the issue and bring your trucks into compliance, you’ll need to find the funds to do so. The good news is that most of these issues can be corrected at a much lower cost than installing a compliant system.
Tires are the only part of your trucks that touches the road. With all that pressure and momentum, they’re bound to get damaged from time to time. However, if you don’t properly maintain them and rotate them regularly, they’ll wear out much faster than they should. When you have a schedule for rotating your tires, it helps you stay on top of your maintenance and avoid costly repairs in the future. There are two main types of rotations: 1) Full tire rotations, where each tire gets rotated every 6,000 miles; or 2) Rotations based on service life, where you rotate tires by their wear level.Full tire rotations are recommended every 6,000 miles, but you can increase the frequency if your trucks get a lot of mileage. If you have tires that are older than 6,000 miles, you can rotate them at the same time as the new ones to extend their service life. Tires that are in good condition can last anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 miles, so don’t worry about having to rotate them too often.
Like most other types of commercial vehicles, commercial trucks require regular maintenance in order to run smoothly and efficiently. The best way to make sure your trucks are running smoothly and efficiently is to have a maintenance plan in place. Many companies opt for a preventative maintenance schedule, where they maintain their trucks at regular intervals. This is a good idea, but it can be difficult to fit everything in. Many companies choose a more on-demand maintenance and repair schedule. This allows them to get their trucks into the shop when they have a problem and fix it immediately. The best way to do this is to create a detailed maintenance plan based on the frequency of service required by your trucks.
The transmission is another crucial piece of your truck that needs to be properly maintained. The best way to make sure that your transmission is in good condition is to have a maintenance plan in place. Many companies choose to have their mechanics perform a transmission fluid change every 1,000 miles. This is a good start, but there are many things you can do to improve the performance of your transmission. Some of these things include:- Changing your transmission fluid every 3,000 miles - Using synthetic fluid where possible - Chasing every transmission fluid change with a transmission inspection and cleaning - Performing a transmission fluid analysis every 10,000 miles - Chasing every transmission fluid change with a transmission filter change
Commercial truck maintenance is an essential part of keeping your fleet in good condition. If you don’t properly maintain your trucks, you could be putting your company and your employees at risk. Having a maintenance plan in place can help you stay on top of the maintenance of your trucks, but you have to consistently revisit it to make sure it’s still relevant. There are many ways to make sure your trucks are in good condition. With proper maintenance, your fleet can last for years and see you through any situation that comes your way.