When you drive for a living, it can be easy to get burnt out on trucks. If you’re hauling materials or goods from place to place almost every day, it’s possible that after a while, you won’t want to drive another single-axle for the rest of your life. And for operators who do this as a business, the feeling is even more intense. However, semi truck drivers must maintain their skills at all times to keep their jobs safe and profitable. With the right knowledge and strategies in place, you can help ensure the safety of yourself and those around you while also maximizing your earnings. If you’re thinking about beginning a career as a commercial driver, this post will give you some helpful advice about maintaining your semi truck and keeping it in good working order for years to come.
Maintaining Your Semi Truck
The first step to maintaining your truck is establishing a daily routine. This doesn’t mean that you have to drive the same way every day, but it is important to have a consistent schedule. If you’re driving in one direction, like from one warehouse to another, you should make sure that you have extra time in your schedule to accommodate for unplanned delays. If you’re moving in several directions, it’s important to stagger your time to prevent over-driving and wear and tear on your truck.If you’re using a GPS device, make sure that you have the correct coordinates programmed in. Many trucks are equipped with GPS devices installed by the manufacturer, but if yours isn’t, you should still get the most accurate information possible. If you’re manually inputting your mileage, make sure that you’re using the most accurate formula for calculating it. If you use a trip computer, make sure that you’re recording your trips correctly. If you’re recording your hours of service manually, make sure that you’re recording them correctly.
Change your oil and filter
Depending on your maintenance schedule, this might be a weekly or even monthly task, but it’s important to change the oil and filter in your truck as soon as you can. Driving with old oil can lead to a buildup of carbon deposits, which can cause your engine to seize. Changing your oil and filter is a quick and inexpensive way to make sure that your truck is ready for another day of driving.Keep in mind that you don’t have to use the same oil brand that your truck manufacturer recommends. It’s best to use oil that is approved for your type of vehicle.
Check your tire pressure
You might think that this is one of those tasks that is easy to forget, but it’s actually one that you should never forget. Driving with underinflated tires can lead to a number of different problems, including decreased tire life and decreased gas mileage. While some drivers like to keep their tires pumped up to the max, others prefer to keep it at a slightly lower pressure. Tires that are underinflated are more likely to overheat, which can lead to a breakdown on the road.If you’re unsure how to check your tire pressure, you can use an air pressure gauge to find out exactly what the pressure is. There are a few different methods for checking your tire pressure, but the best way is probably to take a look at the side of your tire.
Check your fluid levels
This is a task that many drivers overlook, but it’s important to make sure that you’re checking the levels of your fluids regularly. You should make sure that you’re checking your coolant and transmission fluid on a regular basis, and you should also make sure that you’re checking your brake fluid on a regular basis. Drivers who ignore these tasks are much more likely to have a breakdown, which can lead to a significant loss in productivity.If you’re unsure how to check your fluid levels, you can use a pressure gauge to find out exactly what the pressure is. There are different methods for checking your fluid levels, but the best way is probably to take a look at the side of your tank.
Don’t forget about your brakes
Whether you’ve just started driving or you’ve been doing this for years, it’s important to make sure that your brakes are in good working order. You should make sure that your brake fluid is clean and that the amount of pressure your foot needs to apply is consistent. If you notice any warning signs, like a smell or increased fluid leaking out of your wheel cylinders, you should have your brakes looked at as soon as possible.
Don’t forget to turn off your lights and turn on your hazards
This might seem like an obvious thing to forget, but it’s a mistake that many drivers make. You should make sure that all of your lights are on once you’ve started driving. If you’re driving during the day, you should also make sure that you’ve got your headlights on. At night, you should make sure that you’ve got your taillights on as well.
Conclusion
Commercial driving is a physically demanding job, and it can be difficult to maintain the stamina required to do it for long periods of time. However, it’s important to make sure that your truck is in good working condition at all times, as there’s no way for you to know when you’ll be stuck in traffic for hours on end. With the right knowledge and strategies in place, you can help ensure the safety of yourself and those around you while also maximizing your earnings. If you’re thinking about beginning a career as a commercial driver, this post will give you some helpful advice about maintaining your semi truck and keeping it in good working order for years to come.