Truck Maintenance Inspection
It doesn't matter when you bought the vehicle or what mileage it had at the time of purchase. It could be a new truck from scratch. You may have owned a used truck. Either way, you need to have your vehicle inspected. This should be a regular procedure, as it will keep your truck in optimal technical condition at all times, as well as greatly reduce the cost of unscheduled repairs.
Preventive maintenance of vehicles is a complex of checks, routine work, replacement of working fluids and components provided by the manufacturer to maintain the performance of the main units and mechanisms of the machine.
Preventive maintenance is the basis of maintenance that is regularly carried out on units to reduce the likelihood of breakdowns, ensure proper maintenance of your truck and avoid unforeseen breakdowns and costly accidents.
Maintenance usually includes : routine, standard and spot checks. The list of services that are included in maintenance is usually labeled A, B, C, D, in alphabetical order. It also increases the complexity of the work and the time it takes to complete it.
Maintenance “A” is called “maintenance check” and consists of monitoring the safety system and major components.
The standard “A” maintenance interval is 1,500 to 2,500 miles for light-duty vehicles and 5,000 to 10,000 miles for medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles.It is usually scheduled at half the vehicle’s oil change interval.
For information: Some companies use an “inspection lane” for “A” service every time a vehicle returns to the service station.
An inspection lane is a designated lane or shop where vehicles must be inspected by a technician on entry or exit. The inspection lane can be used as an “A” inspection location if the truck must pass to do so.
The “B” inspection, in turn, includes all of the “A” inspection points, plus oil and filter changes, as well as more in-depth engine and transmission diagnostics.
The standard interval for a “B” inspection is between 3,000 and 5,000 miles.
This applies to light-duty vehicles.
For medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, the interval is 10,000 to 20,000 miles.
Level “B” maintenance also includes mandatory ECM installation as well as repairs as notified by the system of your vehicle’s trouble codes and problem areas.
Level “C” maintenance includes levels “A” and “B” , as well as a more comprehensive range of services. This includes adjustments, routine replacement parts, annual DOT checks, and other routine diagnostics or replacement of engine and transmission parts.
Scheduled “C” maintenance is performed annually, and most carriers schedule inspections at 11-month intervals.
Level “D” maintenance includes scheduled rebuilding or replacement of critical components such as transmissions, engines and axles, or “special” maintenance. Examples are seasonal winter or summer maintenance and scheduled upgrades.
The sequence of “D” level services depends on company requirements.
Many drivers with a CDL commercial driver’s license are required to always conduct a pre-trip inspection and use a truck inspection checklist before and after trips, any repairs or other modifications. This is required by law.
1.The engine oil and filters must be changed regularly, because they can easily become contaminated with dust, dirt from the engine and the environment. Then the engine can’t do its job properly.
Most manufacturers recommend oil changes at 5,000 to 10,000 mile intervals.
2. Keep an eye on the level of other fluids.
Regular maintenance is necessary for all vehicle systems and components. When we begin to change the oil in the engine, remember that this is followed by checking the volume of fluids for: engine cooling, power steering, windshield washer, and brake system.
Coolant is necessary for the vehicle to cool the vehicle engine, the hydraulic fluid in automatic transmissions, to lubricate the engine water pump, and to reduce problems associated with extreme temperatures.
3. Regular wheel rotation.
Tire rotation is necessary to maintain even tread wear on all four tires on your truck, improve fuel consumption and extend the life of your vehicle’s suspension components by reducing vibration. In addition, tire rotation may be necessary to maintain your warranty.
WHAT IS TIRE ROTATION?
It is the periodic rotation of each tire on your vehicle. They should be changed according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations or every 5,000 miles, giving you the opportunity to inspect them for damage, check air pressure, balance them if there is obvious vibration, and check tread depth.
This will improve cornering and braking performance and make your car safer to drive. Especially if your car is equipped with all-wheel drive, evenly worn tires reduce stress on the drivetrain, reducing wear on expensive drive components.
4. KEEP YOUR EXTERIOR CLEAN
It’s a pleasure to look at or drive a car cleaned to a shine. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics. Cleaning the exterior surfaces protects the paint on your truck. You need to remove abrasive dirt and dust, and don’t forget about the winter season, when sand and road salt can quickly build up on the surface of your truck and eventually damage the paint finish.
When cleaning your truck, don’t forget an important part of the vehicle – the undercarriage.
5. Have your truck inspected.
This is done to determine the condition of the wheeled vehicle in terms of traffic safety and emissions.
Make sure that the truck meets the mandatory inspection requirements.
You could very well compare the technical inspection of a truck to getting an annual medical exam. The technical expert inspects, tests and analyzes the condition of the vehicle. If there are problems, as well as safety issues, it is very important to identify them at an early stage. This is a significant part of maintaining your vehicle.
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