The semi truck industry is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. That’s not just because of the inherent danger of driving a large, heavy vehicle on the road. It’s also because of the misconceptions many drivers have about maintaining their trucks in order to keep them safe for work and reduce their amount of downtime. If you’re thinking about starting as a semi truck driver or have recently joined the industry, reading up on common mistakes semi truck drivers make when it comes to maintenance will help you avoid making them first. After all, nobody likes having to pay for their own mistakes! Here are some common mistakes semi truck drivers make when it comes to maintenance so you can learn from them and avoid doing the same in your own career.
Not Getting Regular Oil Changes
One of the most important ways to avoid having to pay for repairs down the road is to make sure that you get regular oil changes. This is especially true if you’re driving a long-distance truck. A standard oil change schedule will help you avoid having to pay for a costly engine repair because you didn’t take care of your engine properly. You also have to make sure you’re using the right oil for your truck. A high-quality semi-tractor oil will help your engine run smoothly and reduce wear and tear on the moving parts inside. A lower quality oil will do the opposite, putting your engine at risk of damage. Additionally, you should always be sure to change your oil at the right time. Most oil change services will recommend a specific oil change schedule based on the amount of time you plan on driving your truck each year. If you don’t follow their recommendations, you could be putting your engine in unnecessary risk.
Not Having the Right Tires For The Job
Another important aspect of maintenance that semi truck drivers often neglect is having the right tires for the job. This is especially true if you’re planning on driving a standard or long-distance semi-tractor. Standard tractors are built for heavy loads and long hauls. As a result, they need a much different set of tires than short-distance tractors. Standard tractors must have tires that can handle heavy loads and still maintain a reasonable amount of grip on the road. Long-distance tractors also need tires that can handle heavy loads and a large amount of speed. If you drive a standard or long-distance tractor, you need to make sure your tires are up to the job.
Not Keeping Your Brakes in Good Condition
Finally, one of the most common maintenance mistakes semi truck drivers make is not keeping their brakes in good condition. Unfortunately, this is one of the easiest things to forget about. After all, it’s not like you can see your brakes working every day. That said, it’s important to make sure that your brakes are in good working order. You can check your brakes by using a brake pressure test gauge. If your brakes are in bad condition, you might be putting yourself and other drivers on the road at risk of an accident.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different ways that you can make maintenance mistakes as a semi truck driver. While it can be tempting to put off maintenance to save time and money, this is not a good idea. You need to make sure that your truck has the best possible working order. This will help you avoid costly repairs and keep you and other drivers safe on the road.