Maintaining a fleet of commercial trucks is of absolute importance to a thriving transportation company. Both company fleets and driver-owned commercial trucks are often neglected due to the time commitment demanded by regular maintenance. However, any extraneous time spent repairing commercial trucks is far outweighed by the positive results. In the content below, we explore the importance of commercial truck maintenance – outlining a checklist to simplify the process for you and your fleet!
Commercial truck maintenance impacts a company’s bottom line, proving cost-effective for a plethora of reasons. Thus, regular preventative maintenance should be a routine element to your company strategy.
1.) Fewer Unexpected Breakdowns
Regular commercial truck maintenance reduces the number of vehicle breakdowns. Unexpected time spent off the road and in the shop dramatically outweighs moments spent performing maintenance on your fleet. Furthermore, breakdowns produce unexpected disruptions in your operations schedule, causing shipments to fall behind. After identifying an issue, do not wait to fix it! Perform a minor repair in preference to delaying it, allowing the issue to compound until major damages eliminate your truck from action for an extended period.
2.) Fewer Accidents
According to the United States Department of Transportation, there are approximately 500,000 truck accidents – supplying nearly 2.5% of all vehicle accidents in the country. Although passenger vehicle drivers majorly contribute to this shocking statistic, the poor condition of commercial trucks also plays a significant role.
Regular maintenance helps prevent unexpected tragedy. For example, brakes should be regularly examined and maintained. Waiting to examine brakes until grinding, squeaking, whining, or complete failure occurs renders the vehicle extremely dangerous – unfair to fleet drivers and surrounding vehicles. Simply put, performing routine maintenance always results in fewer accidents and smoother daily operations.
3.) Reduced Operating Cost
Lessening the number of major repairs is one important facet of reduced operating cost. Maintained commercial trucks, operating at optimal functionality, also lower both your business fuel expenses and insurance bill. Furthermore, lengthening the life of your commercial truck compounds your initial vehicle investment.
4.) Increased Customer Satisfaction
As mentioned, unexpected breakdowns disrupt business operations, resulting in inconsistent, unpredictable delivery times. In the worst case, a simple breakdown potentially results in the loss of a large client. A dissatisfied client may turn to a competitor who delivers consistently, on-time, and without unexpected repairs.
5.) Abide by the Law
Surprisingly, most commercial vehicles do not meet the proper, required road safety standards. Performing regular maintenance and minor repairs ensures high probability in passing the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Tests (CVRT) upon first inspection.
Commercial Maintenance Checklist
Commercial truck fleet managers are not obliged to create a proper maintenance checklist. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – the U.S. Department of Transportation’s federal agency supervising commercial truck operations – outlines an excellent pre-trip vehicle check.
Pre-Trip Maintenance Checklist
These simple pre-trip maintenance checklist items can easily be performed by the truck driver. FMCSA’s pre-trip checklist includes:
– Check all truck tires. The FMCSA states that tires account for nearly one-third of commercial truck maintenance costs. Thus, careful inspection is crucial. The truck driver should especially examine air pressure and tire tread.
– Check all fluids. Checking fluids includes both searching for leakage and inspecting for adequate amounts of fluid. Pay attention to coolant, antifreeze, fuel, and oil. Finally, the driver should start the truck and ensure all dashboards lights confirm his or her conclusion.
– Check the brakes. The driver should examine the standard and parking brakes. Drivers should find proper lining, a leak-free air pressure system, auto-engaging parking brakes, a functioning low-pressure alarm, and proper air pressure rates.
– Check all electrical systems. All electrical components and wires should be verified for proper functioning, including brake lights, headlights, turn signals, flashers, clearance lights, and warning lights.
Taking ten to thirty minutes reviewing the aforementioned items dramatically helps reduce the risk of unexpected breakdown and accidents.
Scheduled Maintenance Checklist
Along with regular pre-trip maintenance, be sure to schedule in-depth maintenance checks on your trucks. If a series of effective, preventive maintenance is scheduled to occur, follow-through is highly probable! As an individual driver, it is up to you to schedule or perform regular inspections. However, if an issue arises, notify the appropriate individuals. Furthermore, companies with a large fleet of commercial trucks should hire or outsource professional technicians to perform regular maintenance, usually inside a facility. Of course, the maintenance checklist should be completed, documented, and filed. JB Tools, an automotive repair supply provider, provides a helpful checklist, including:
– Engine oil and filter changed
– Transmission fluid checked
– Fuel and cooling systems, including leaks
– Engine and transmission mounts
– Drive shafts or CV joints
– Belts and hoses
– Various tune-ups
– Aforementioned electrical system components
– Brakes
– Steering and suspension system
– Tires, wheels, and rims
– Exhaust system
– Undercarriage and frame
– Exterior and interior lights
– Body, glass, and mirrors
– Windshield wiper system
– Horn
– Seat belts and seat structure
– Auxiliary systems
Summer & Winter Maintenance Checklist
Specific maintenance should be performed during the intense heat of summer and the frigid cold of winter, as applicable to location. During summer maintenance, emphasize the cooling system by inspecting for radiator corrosion, examining the coolant system for adequate pressure, and monitoring the water pumps for leaks to assure the engine maintains proper temperature.
The winter also demands extra preventative precautions, emphasizing truck parts that may be affected by snow, ice, and extreme cold. Winter maintenance inspections may include the following: engine heaters, coolant levels, glow plug operation, exhaust system, radiator, tires, and heated mirrors.
Taking the extra precaution to perform proactive maintenance year-round – and during extreme seasons – pays off for private commercial truck drivers and companies commanding entire fleets.
Advanced Commercial Capital
At Advanced Commercial Capital, we understand that – even with the best preventative maintenance plan in place – emergencies happen, and trucking companies require extra cash. We provide excellent freight factoring services with quick funding and valuable benefits. We never surprise our customers with hidden fees or required long-term contracts.
Our clients love working with our team, and we would love to talk to you about a future partnership! To get in touch, call toll free at 855.465.4655 or reach out via our online contact form.