Semitrucks carry essential products and supplies across countries. The United States trucking industry is worth over $730 billion, responsible for the majority of freight movement in the country.
It’s vital to keep trucks in their best condition so they can move freight efficiently. Regular maintenance inspections keep all components functioning properly. A maintenance schedule ensures you remember all important steps after reaching certain driving or ownership milestones.
Learn more about truck maintenance schedules and how Porter Freight Funding can help.
Why Is Preventative Maintenance Important?
Preventative maintenance is essential for your semitruck. A thorough truck maintenance schedule brings benefits like:
- Improved safety: Your trucks should operate at optimal functioning to ensure driver and passenger safety. Preventative maintenance requires regular inspections that evaluate the truck’s functioning. During these studies, you can notice issues that could become safety hazards later. Consistent maintenance helps you identify and resolve these problems before they grow worse. Drivers can operate vehicles in their safest condition, increasing security on the job.
- Increased efficiency: Maintenance can also improve your trucking fleet’s efficiency. Regular maintenance techniques give you a comprehensive perspective of the truck’s condition, minimizing sudden bursts of downtime. The increased awareness allows you to notice operating issues before they become more severe. By resolving them early, you prevent extensive fleet downtime. Trucks in optimal condition might have improved performance, such as increased fuel efficiency. You can keep trucks on the road, improving your fleet’s overall efficiency instead of enduring long repair times.
- Reduced costs: Regular maintenance can lower overall operating costs. Without proper care and maintenance measures, your truck might sustain significant damage. For instance, failing to change your oil at the proper intervals could result in the oil turning into sludge. It would stop drawing heat from the engine and could cause the entire vehicle to overheat or lose function. By following proper maintenance guidelines, you avoid these negative outcomes and extend your truck’s life span. The fewer repairs you need, the more money you save.
What Are the Steps in a Truck Maintenance Schedule?
Preventative maintenance schedules ensure you follow the right maintenance measures at the right intervals. If you go too long without certain actions, your truck might become damaged or need repairs.
Exact maintenance needs depend on the truck type and load. Trucks carrying more heavy-duty loads and traveling long distances need more maintenance attention than lightweight trucks.
No matter the truck type, these are three crucial semitruck service steps:
- Always conduct pre- and post-driving inspections: You should thoroughly look over your truck before and after driving it. Inspect components like the brakes, engine, hoses, fluid levels, lighting and other crucial components.
- Repair issues as soon as possible: If you notice any issues with these components or other features, you should repair them before driving the vehicle.
- Commit to a maintenance schedule: In addition to daily maintenance, you should follow a regular maintenance schedule after reaching certain months or miles of driving.
Here are typical intervals in a truck maintenance schedules and their corresponding actions:
6 Months
After every six months of driving, you should check your truck’s batteries. Long-distance driving and frequent stops can put a heavy load on your electrical system, so it’s best to make sure it can still support your required loads.
In addition, you should complete basic services like:
- Checking all lights
- Inspecting brake functioning
- Refilling fluids like coolant, antifreeze and transmission fluid
Every 30,000 Miles
After driving 30,000 miles, your truck needs a few services to ensure all components function correctly. In addition to basic services and a typical inspection, you should also get:
- Oil change: You should follow semitruck oil change intervals to enhance your engine performance. Clean oil keeps your engine lubricated and running smoothly, decreasing downtime on the road. After you reach 30,000 miles of driving, schedule an appointment with an oil change facility before driving any further.
- Air filter replacement: You should also change your air filter. Clogged or dirty air filters reduce airflow to your engine, which can negatively impact other essential components. After every 30,000 miles, you should inspect and replace your air filter.
- Fuel filter replacement: Your fuel filter prevents contaminants like dirt and debris from reaching your engine. Regular replacements keep your fuel and engine running optimally.
Every 150,000 Miles
150,000 is a significant driving milestone. You should conduct all of the maintenance steps from previous milestones, such as refilling fluids, inspecting your brakes and replacing filters. In addition, service your semitruck with maintenance tasks like:
- Changing your air dryer filter: The air dryer filter removes moisture from your brake system, helping it function correctly. Every 150,000 miles, look for any strong indicators that this filter type needs replacement.
- Changing your power steering fluid: Power steering fluid allows you to turn your truck efficiently and accurately. After 150,000 miles of driving, you might have depleted fluid levels. You should refill or replace them to ensure your driving remains as safe as possible.
Other Truck Maintenance Tips
These are a few other truck maintenance tips that can help you build a regular schedule:
Consider the Weather
Seasonal differences put different stressors on your truck. Extreme cold or hot temperatures can limit some parts’ functionality. You can take additional measures during particular seasons to keep everything running smoothly. For instance, you should check your truck’s windshield in freezing temperatures to ensure there aren’t any cracks or chips.
Also, make sure cold temperatures do not impact your brakes. Check your electrical system and tires frequently to ensure the hot air doesn’t harm their functionality during hot weather.
Average Usage Levels
Another important consideration for truck maintenance is your average usage levels. The more often you drive, the more maintenance you likely need to keep the vehicle in good condition. Similarly, if you frequently carry heavy-duty loads, you might need more maintenance checks than typical recommendations. Professional service technicians can recommend the best maintenance techniques for your particular truck and activity levels.
Get Started With Porter Freight Funding Today
Regular maintenance is crucial for your semitruck’s efficiency and life span. The right maintenance schedule can enhance your truck’s performance and fuel efficiency.
If you need to reduce your truck’s fuel costs, choose Porter Freight Funding today. Our fuel cards streamline the fuel purchasing process for truck drivers. They keep an electronic record of all transactions, making it easier to track costs, generate reports and receive discounts. You can improve your efficiency at the pump, helping you get back on the road more quickly.
To get started with Porter Freight Funding, apply for a fuel card today.
