When it comes to owning and operating a fleet of trucks you can’t afford to skimp on service and maintenance. This is especially true for businesses that operate semi-trucks. These large, heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for transporting many types of commercial freight, including food products, construction materials and other large-scale items. If you operate a commercial vehicle rental company, or if you transport goods for a local business that relies on you to get their products to customers on time, it’s important that your trucks are maintained properly and receive timely repairs so that they remain operational and can deliver the goods your customers need as quickly as possible. Fortunately, semi-truck maintenance is not as difficult or costly as many people think—with a little bit of planning and preparation, you can keep your truck fleet in top condition for years to come.
What are the most common semi truck repairs?
There are many parts and systems on a typical semi truck that can break or require repair. Some of the most common semi truck repairs include:1. Brakes - The brakes on your truck are one of the most important safety features. If your brakes fail unexpectedly, you could end up in a dangerous situation. The good news is that brake repairs are relatively quick and easy to complete.2. Axles - If your truck has a flat or uneven tire, the first thing you want it to do is stop. Unfortunately, if your tire is damaged beyond repair, the rest of the truck may not be able to stop in time. If your trailer’s wheels aren’t properly attached to the truck’s axles, you could end up with a serious accident on your hands.3. Engines - Your truck’s engine is the heart of your truck. If it fails, your entire truck won’t be able to function properly. Engines can break down for a number of different reasons.4. Fuel systems - You don’t want to run out of fuel while on the road. Unfortunately, many truck drivers experience this problem as they rely on their trucks to deliver goods from place to place. While most drivers have a backup vehicle, having to rely on a second vehicle can be inconvenient.5. Shifters - A shifter is a device that allows drivers to change gears while driving. If your shifter breaks, you may not be able to operate your truck at a proper speed.
Check your fuel filter
One of the most important maintenance tasks for semi-trucks is to check your fuel filter. Fuel filters are small plastic or metal items that are responsible for removing excess dirt, dust and other contaminants from your fuel supply. If your fuel filter is dirty, it can cause your fuel to become dirty and unclean, which can impact the performance of your engine. If your truck runs out of fuel, it could lead to a serious accident. To test your fuel filter, turn off your engine and pull the fuel filter off of your truck. Look at the filter and see how many layers of dirt and dust it contains. If it’s looking visibly dirty, clean it with a brush and cleaning solution before replacing it. If you don’t clean your fuel filter, you could be putting both your engine and your fuel tank at risk.
Check Your Tires, Brakes, and Rotors
As you drive your truck, you may notice that it starts to wobble or shake on certain roads. This could be a sign that your tires are overinflated. Overinflated tires can impact your truck’s performance and decrease your gas mileage. Additionally, tires that are overinflated are more likely to blow out and cause an accident. To check your tires, turn off your engine and place a tire gauge in the tread of each tire. If any of your tires are overinflated, you can bring them back to normal pressure by filling them with air and retaping the tire’s valve. Brakes are another important part of your truck’s safety system. If your brakes become faulty, you could end up in a dangerous situation. To test your brakes, use a hand brake to slow your truck to a stop. If the hand brake becomes difficult to use, or if your truck doesn’t stop as quickly as you’d like, you may need to have your brakes fixed or replaced. If your brakes are in good condition, you can feel them pulsating when you’re slowing down. If they aren’t, you should have them fixed as soon as possible.
Service your fuel system
While it’s important to check your fuel filter, it’s also important to service your fuel system. Fuel systems can become clogged with dirt and other debris over time. If this happens, your fuel flow could be impacted, which could cause you to run out of gas without warning. To service your fuel system, turn off your engine and remove the fuel lines from the tank or fuel filter. Use a brush and fuel cleaning solution to clean the fuel lines. If your fuel system is still clogged, you may want to consider a fuel system cleaning solution. If you’re unable to clean your fuel system, it may be time for a new tank. If you have an older tank, it may be time to replace it.
Check your lights and indicators
Lights and indicators are another important part of your truck’s safety system. If any of your lights or indicators aren’t working properly, you could end up in a dangerous situation. To test your lights and indicators, turn off your engine and slowly open and close the door of your truck. If any of your lights or indicators aren’t working properly, this will allow you to see if they need to be replaced. If you find that any of your lights or indicators need to be replaced, it’s a good idea to invest in new bulbs. Replacement bulbs are typically much cheaper than buying a new light. If your lights or indicators don’t appear to be broken, but simply need new bulbs, you can change them yourself or simply purchase new ones.
How often should you service your truck?
When it comes to semi-truck maintenance, you don’t have to break the bank to keep your fleet in good working order. There are a number of basic maintenance tasks that you can do on a regular basis to keep your trucks in good working order and help you avoid costly repairs.To begin, you should be sure to change your oil and filter on a regular basis. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, keeping your engine oil clean and fresh will help it last longer. Changing your oil and filter on a regular basis will also help ensure that your engine is free of contaminants and debris. If you want to make sure that your brake system is in good condition, you should be sure to have it inspected and serviced once a year. You can have your brakes inspected by a professional mechanic, or you can do it yourself by following these simple instructions:1. Make sure that your tires are properly inflated.2. Turn off your engine, and make sure that