When you hear the words “truck” and “inspection” in the same sentence, you probably think of a very boring process where a driver has to hop out of the vehicle, walk around the engine and underbelly, and then re-board the truck again. But while these tasks may seem tedious and unnecessary, they are actually very important for safety. Before you can put your commercial driver’s license (CDL) to use hauling loads or delivering products to customers, you will need to complete a thorough inspection of the vehicle. An inspection is not something you will ever forget, because if something goes wrong while driving, you will be held accountable. The following are some things you should look for when inspecting a commercial truck.
One of the first things you should check when inspecting a commercial truck is the lights and reflectors. Drivers must have a clean and fully-functioning set of lights and reflectors on their vehicle at all times, and they must be in good working condition. If a light becomes broken or a reflector gets ripped off, the truck must be pulled off the road immediately to fix the problem. The light and reflector fixtures are extremely important, because they are the first thing a driver sees when pulling out of a parking lot or turning onto a highway. They are also a good indicator of how old your vehicle is -- the older the lights and reflectors, the more likely they are to break. If a light is broken, it is the driver’s responsibility to fix it immediately, or risk getting a citation.
When a tire becomes worn, it can affect the way the entire truck rides and handles. A tire that is under-inflated will cause the vehicle to bounce or rattle, while an over-inflated tire can cause damage to the rim and cause the tire to blow out. It is your responsibility to make sure the tires on your commercial truck are at the proper pressure, and they are rotated regularly. If a tire has been over-used and is low on air, the driver should pull over immediately, change the tire, and then drive another 50 miles until it has completely deflated so that the tire can be re-inflated with a pressure gauge. It is also important to note that tire pressure and rotation is something that must be done before you begin hauling a load. If you notice a tire is low on air, there is not enough time to put it on a jack, find a tire shop, and put the tire back on the rim before heading out on the road again.
Another important part of the inspection process is to check the exhaust for damage. Some trucks come equipped with a black exhaust pipe that is made of iron, while others have a blue exhaust pipe made of carbon steel. If the exhaust pipe is tarnished, bent, or rusted, it is an indication that there is a problem with the engine. It is your responsibility to make sure the exhaust pipe is not leaking or damaged, because it will release noxious fumes into the cabin and cause the air quality to be unsafe for passengers.
Another important part of the inspection process is to check the oil and oil filter. A dirty oil filter can cause a build-up of carbon and other impurities, which will eventually lead to a failure of the engine. It is your responsibility to make sure the oil is changed, and the oil filter is changed, every 5,000 miles. If you do not have an automatic oil change system, it is recommended that you change the oil every 3,000 miles.
It is also important to check the brakes, air-ride system, and suspension. You should make sure the brakes are in good working condition, and the air-ride system and suspension are in good working condition. The air-ride system keeps the driver and passengers comfortable by lowering the ride height when going over bumps in the road. It is your responsibility to make sure the air-ride system is in good working condition.
Another important part of the inspection process is to check the air-conditioning and heating system and the battery. The air-conditioning and heating system should be in good working condition, and the battery should be fully charged. If either of these components is faulty, the truck will have to be pulled off the road to be fixed. It is your responsibility to make sure the air-conditioning and heating system, as well as the battery, are in good working condition.
Throughout this blog post, you have learned about the importance of a thorough commercial truck inspection. When inspecting a commercial truck, you should check the lights and reflectors, tires, exhaust pipe, oil, oil filter, brakes, air-ride system, suspension, air-conditioning/heating system, and battery to ensure the vehicle is in good working condition. If you notice anything that needs to be serviced or repaired, the driver must get those items fixed as soon as possible before heading out on the road again.