Owning a truck in a perfect condition must be a top priority in the trucking industry.

Preventative maintenance is a great way to keep the truck and equipment acceptable and running smooth.

Any sort of issue with the truck can put you behind the scheduled time and cause you stress and money.

Regular check-ups and inspections can help spotting the minor problems on time and repairing them before they become major damages.

There are a few maintenance measures that can be used to put the truck in a perfect shape for the road:

1. Oil change

One of the most important truck maintenance is to check the levels of the oil.

It can easily become contaminated with dust and dirt from the engine and environment.

Oil changes clean out sludge and grime, and without them, the engine could overheat and cease its normal functions.

The oil filter is a part that also needs to be changed so the dust and dirty particles can be removed.

Without implementing that, it would slow down the engine’s efficiency.

The general rule is to change the oil every 25,000 miles.

It’s also recommended to change the oil more frequently if you often carry heavy loads, drive in dusty conditions, or drive at low speed for long period of time.

2. Radiator Maintenance

The best way to maintain the truck running strong is to check the radiator before each new route.

If there are any small leaks and fluids that look low it’s very important for them to be repaired so that engine overheat can be prevented.

Cleaning truck radiators regularly off of the truck ensure better cooling by allowing more air flow to pass through the fins and increase the cooling capacity of the radiator.

Engine damage is one of the most expensive repairs.

3. Tires replacement

Driving with worn tires can cause a lot of dangerous situations like popping a tire on the route, damage of the truck or pose a massive safety risk. It`s important to recognize when the tires a worn down too thin. A good standard to follow is to reassess every 100,000-150,000 miles. There are also “tread wear indicators”, so if they become visible the tire needs to be changed!

Also a few things need to be taken into consideration:

• Tire rotation – Rotating the tires is essential for maintaining an even amount of tread wear on all four of truck’s tires. It improves gas mileage and prolongs the life of vehicle’s suspension components by reducing vibrations.
• Tire pressure – It can be extremely dangerous to drive on low tire pressure or too much tire pressure.
• Tire tread – Heat makes the rubber on the tires to break down faster.

4. Inspect the Brakes

When a full load is being carried, everyone wants to be able to stop safely.

Every time the vehicle’s brakes are engaged, a small amount of friction material is worn off the pads.

Over time, the friction material will become thinner. If there are out of the ordinary sounds coming from the brakes or vibrations, they need to be checked.

These sounds are caused by a small metal attachment on the brake pad backing plate.

Also if there is not even wear side to side and front to back, it can be a sign that the brake system isn’t balanced and requires a repairs that can be adjusted so the braking performance is at its best.

5. Air filters

A clean air filter reduces the fuel consumption and helps the engine run more smoothly. Harmful dust particles accumulate throughout the filter media and many of the microscopic openings in the media become obstructed.

This on-going reduction in the size of the openings helps the filter stop smaller dust particles, resulting in a more efficient filter.

As the filter continues to load with contamination, the filter will develop a dust cake that further increases filter efficiency. When a filter gets clogged, it lowers the amount of air that gets into the engine which results in reducing its power.

After servicing the filter element, the inside of the housing needs to be wiped and seal the contact surface with a moist cloth. Care should be taken so that no dust or dirt gains access to the clean air side of the air cleaner.

6. Exterior lighting

Lights are an important part of being a safe driver, which is why you need to make sure none of them are out.

Trucks use halogen or LED lights. The halogen bulb emits light via a filament, and LED lights features light-emitting diodes which last longer. The brake lights, headlights, taillights, signals, and hazard lights can be checked with just one walk-around the truck.

It’s better to get them changed before you hit the road so pulling over and extra fees can be avoided.

7. Clean the Exterior

Clean exterior of the truck will not only make your ride shine, it can also protect the paint on the truck by removing any abrasive dirt or dust.

For the stuff that is harder to scrub out, consider relying on a paint cleaner, which is designed to remove environmental damage that has made its way into truck’s paint.

Also go over the damaged surfaces using a paint-cleaning clay used in conjunction with a liquid-cleaning wax. Automotive wax is intended to help the paint stand strong against the elements.

8. Inspect the gearbox and clutch

Clutches operate using friction lining, so over time they can wear out and begin to falter in performance. When a clutch wears out, it starts to display symptoms such as noise, vibration, and slippage. If left unchanged, the clutch will fail to transfer any of the engine power to the wheels and will need to be replaced eventually.

The gearbox adapts the output of the internal combustion engine by changing the gear ratio. Switching between smaller and larger gears stops the engine from overworking itself and helps keep the vehicle running and at optimum efficiency.

Grinding sounds when shifting gear may mean that the clutch has been worn out or the synchronizers may be damaged.

9. Batteries

The battery provides the power to crank the starter and start the truck as well as run a number of accessories that aid truckers in getting to their destinations and delivering their loads. If the battery fails, the truck sits idle and this leads to costly downtime.

In most cases, batteries last three to five years, depending on the weather conditions they operate in, electronic demand, driving habits, and maintenance.

Maintenance measures should include:

• Checking and confirming the hold-downs: When the battery is not secured properly, the extra vibrations will damage the battery.
• Cleaning all terminal connections: Road dirt and grease is reducing the charge acceptance.
• Use charging adapters: The adaptors must be screwed tight on the stud so there is a good lead-to-lead contact between the post busing and charging adapter.

10. Fifth wheel platform

A Fifth Wheel is the mechanism that connects the tractor to the trailer. If it breaks or doesn’t couple correctly, a dangerous tractor-trailer separation follows.

Grease can build up on the fifth wheel and attract dirt and debris, so degreasing it prior to inspecting it allows to see any potential damage more easily. Then the mechanism needs to be re-greased with a thin coat of 90-weight gear oil. The proper thickness is crucial, as thin greases will wear away quickly during wet conditions and excessively thick grease may cause clumping – especially in the cold.

Fifth wheel manufacturers recommend performing fifth wheel maintenance every three months or 30,000 miles.

11. Keep a toolbox on hand

Keeping a toolbox in the truck can enable performing small inspections and fixes on the rig. It’ll also help to be prepared in case of an emergency.

The toolbox should include items such as:

• Wrench set
• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Zip ties
• Tire pressure gauge
• Flashlight
• Batteries

In our company we provide general or routine maintenance on trucks and trailers to ensure that they operate efficiently and to prevent breakdowns and unnecessary repairs.

Lemont Truck Center is a local truck shop equipped to handle all the needs from engine diagnostics, to alignments and inspections.