The world of commercial trucking is riddled with hazards and risks. From unpredictable weather to unlit roadways, truck drivers face challenges every day. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your operation running smoothly and safely under any circumstances. No matter how prepared you are, things will go wrong from time to time—but how you respond will determine how smoothly your business continues moving forward. If something unexpected happens while you’re on the road, it’s important to know how to identify and deal with problems before they result in expensive downtime or a safety incident that could lead to legal action. That’s where this article comes in. Let’s take a look at some common semi truck problems and how you can troubleshoot them quickly and efficiently so you can get back on the road as soon as possible with minimal impact on your business operation.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain problems
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain problems are unfortunately some of the most common issues that arise for truck drivers. Drivers will frequently call their mechanic with a question like, “My transmission is slipping. What do I do?” Unfortunately, most mechanics don’t have the knowledge or tools required to inspect drivetrain components correctly and efficiently. As a result, many mechanics will simply tell the driver to take the vehicle off-road for a while and then try to figure it out when they get back. This can lead to costly downtime for the driver, a major headache for the company, and a potentially unsafe situation if the drivetrain components are not properly diagnosed and fixed.Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to identify and properly diagnose drivetrain issues. First, have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic before you hit the road. Drivers should only operate trucks that have been properly inspected and have no drivetrain issues (or issues that have been properly diagnosed and fixed). Second, have the motor run on a “limp” setting while you’re driving to ensure that there are no drivetrain issues.
Tire wear and tread depth
One of the most common problems that truck drivers experience is uneven tire wear. Drivers will frequently notice that their tires seem to be wearing at different rates, with some tires wearing down faster than others. This can be a sign of a potential problem. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to identify and properly troubleshoot uneven tire wear. First, have the tires inspected by a tire professional before you hit the road. Drivers should only operate trucks that have been properly inspected and have no tire issues (or issues that have been properly diagnosed and fixed). Next, have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic before you hit the road. Drivers should only operate trucks that have been properly inspected and have no drivetrain issues (or issues that have been properly diagnosed and fixed). Finally, have the engine and drivetrain inspected by a mechanic before you hit the road. Drivers should only operate trucks that have been properly inspected and have no drivetrain issues (or issues that have been properly diagnosed and fixed).
Tire pressure monitoring system issues
Another frequent problem that truck drivers face is an issue with their tire pressure monitoring system. Drivers will frequently call their mechanics with a question like, “Why won’t my tire pressure system auto-reset?” Unfortunately, many mechanics don’t have the knowledge or tools required to properly troubleshoot tire pressure monitoring system issues. Unfortunately, this can lead to costly downtime for the driver and a potentially unsafe situation if the tire pressure monitoring system is not properly diagnosed and fixed. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to identify and properly troubleshoot tire pressure monitoring system issues. First, have the tires inspected by a tire professional before you hit the road. Drivers should only operate trucks that have been properly inspected and have no tire issues (or issues that have been properly diagnosed and fixed). Second, have the motor run on a “limp” setting while you’re driving to ensure that there are no tire pressure monitoring system issues.
Unstable load issues
Another frequent problem that truck drivers face is an issue with an unstable load. Drivers will frequently call their mechanics with a question like, “Why isn’t my load staying level?” Unfortunately, many mechanics don’t have the knowledge or tools required to properly troubleshoot unstable load issues. This can lead to costly downtime for the driver and a potentially unsafe situation if the unstable load is not properly diagnosed and fixed. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to identify and properly troubleshoot unstable load issues. First, have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic before you hit the road. Drivers should only operate trucks that have been properly inspected and have no drivetrain issues (or issues that have been properly diagnosed and fixed). Second, have the motor run on a “limp” setting while you’re driving to ensure that there are no unstable load issues.
Inability to see in low-light conditions
One of the most dangerous problems that semi truck drivers face is an inability to see in low-light conditions. Drivers will frequently call their mechanics with a question like, “Why can’t I see out of my headlights?” Unfortunately, many mechanics don’t have the knowledge or tools required to properly troubleshoot visibility issues. This can lead to costly downtime for the driver and a potentially unsafe situation if the visibility issue is not properly diagnosed and fixed. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to identify and properly troubleshoot visibility issues. First, have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic before you hit the road. Drivers should only operate trucks that have been properly inspected and have no drivetrain issues (or issues that have been properly diagnosed and fixed). Second, have the motor run on a “limp” setting while you’re driving to ensure that there are no visibility issues.
Conclusion
The world of commercial trucking is riddled with hazards and risks. From unpredictable weather to unlit roadways, truck drivers face challenges every day. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your operation running smoothly and safely under any circumstances. No matter how prepared you are, things will go wrong from time to time—but how you respond will determine how smoothly your business continues moving forward. If something unexpected happens while you’re on the road, it’s important to know how to identify and deal with problems before they result in expensive downtime or a safety incident that could lead to legal action. That’s where this article comes in. Let’s take a look at some common semi truck problems and how you can troubleshoot them quickly and efficiently so you can get back on the road as soon as possible with minimal impact on your business operation.