Fleet managers have a lot on their plate, especially if they’re in charge of a large fleet of semi-trucks. One thing that should never be neglected is preventative maintenance.
This post will teach you everything you need to know about preventative semi-truck maintenance and semi-truck repair.
What preventative maintenance entails
Simply put, preventative maintenance includes everything that can prevent equipment failure. With semi-trucks, this means things like regular oil changes, tire replacement, electrical inspections, brake replacement and more. Your certified mechanic will know what needs to be done with the vehicles in your fleet.
Your preventative maintenance checklist
It seems like a daunting task, but preventative maintenance for semi-trucks isn’t all that challenging if you complete this checklist step by step:
- Take stock of your fleet: Even if they’re all the same make and model, no two vehicles in your fleet are exactly alike, so your first step is to take stock of your fleet by noting each vehicle’s specs like mileage and tire size. You’ll also need to dig up the maintenance records for each truck.
- Create a maintenance schedule for each vehicle: Now that you have all the necessary info for each truck, you’ll need to make a maintenance schedule. The maintenance frequency typically depends on a truck’s age and current condition. For example, older trucks usually need more attention than newer ones. It’s a good idea to plan maintenance around your drivers’ work schedules to avoid downtime as much as possible.
- Train drivers on inspections: Since your drivers spend the most time in the trucks, you should train them on signs that their vehicles need professional attention. Have your drivers perform routine inspections of the brakes, tires, fluids and electrical systems to catch problems before they spin out of control.
- Document all preventative maintenance: Finally, be sure to keep records of every time your vehicles go in for maintenance or semi-truck Having these documents in hand keeps you in good standing with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Why routine maintenance is important
Having these maintenance items performed benefits your business and drivers in a variety of ways. Here are a few reasons to schedule preventative maintenance every few months:
- Keeps drivers safe: First and foremost, preventative maintenance keeps your drivers safe by ensuring all truck components are fully operational. Without routine maintenance, accidents are bound to occur.
- Reduces operating costs: Though bringing your trucks to a mechanic isn’t always cheap, preventative maintenance is much less expensive than paying for emergency repairs. Additionally, routine maintenance can improve your trucks’ fuel economy.
- Improves vehicle longevity: All semi-trucks will eventually need to be replaced, but you can delay the hassle and expense of buying new trucks by scheduling preventative maintenance a few times each year.
Bring your fleet vehicles to us
If it’s time to maintain your fleet, be sure to bring your trucks into J & M Trailer Repair. In addition to performing semi-truck repair, we do oil changes, part replacement and much more. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with our team.