If you own a trucking company or any other
transport company, you are responsible for the wellbeing of your vehicles.
However, keeping your vehicles in full working order is not something you
choose to do because it is fun or easy.
The reason you need to keep your fleet in
top form is to ensure that your business runs without a hitch and safely. There
are many things that can go wrong with a track because of wear and tear. It’s important
to keep track of your vehicles to ensure that the downtime is minimal, or even
prevented if possible.
Check Your Fluids Levels before Setting Off
This is the simplest and the oldest advice
you can get. Before setting off on a trip, especially if it’s a long one, make
sure that all of your fluid levels are in order. A lot of things in your truck
need fluids, including your brakes and your steering.
It is usually very easy to check the levels
by yourself, but if you aren’t completely sure that you are able to do it,
consult a professional truck mechanic or some other expert.
Clean the Fleet
Even though it is considered a cosmetic
change, giving your truck a good wash is actually much more than a vanity
thing. Too much debris and dirt can cause a lot of damage to the internal parts
of your truck. A clog in your air intake can mean instant overheating and a lot
of down time. Aside from that, if some of that debris actually gets pulled into
your engine, there’s no telling how much damage can be done to your engine.
Clean tires are also fairly important, both
for better traction and handling and for braking distances and better fuel
economy.
Check the Electronics
A lot of equipment in modern trucks is
electronic, ranging from brakes to engine management to tire pressure settings.
All of these devices are connected and controlled by a single onboard computer.
That’s why you cannot risk any of the parts breaking down. If some part of your
truck goes bad, chances are that the truck won’t start until the problem has
been solved.
Another electronic device which people
don’t think about much is the electric motor. These handy devices have numerous
applications, including the use in
trucks.
Diesel Engines Need Attention, Too
Finally, the most important part of your
truck – the diesel engine. These machines have become more complex over the
years. Today, these devices have so many parts that it requires a very skilled and experiencedexpert to be able to diagnose and fix it.
Even though diesel engines are lauded as
very durable and rugged, there’s a caveat to that claim which is not often
mentioned. They can last for a very long time and are generally very reliable,
but they still need to undergo regular maintenance. There are some parts which
need to be replaced from time to time and, depending on the usage, that can be
once a year or even once every few months.
Fuel Quality Checks
A big part of
the durability of the truck parts comes down to the quality of the fuel
you use. Make sure that you buy from reputable suppliers to prevent
clogging of your fuel lines and uneven combustion temperatures.
Keeping just one truck in order can be
hard, and the problems can mount as the number of trucks you have in your care
rises. However, if you perform regular checks and keep to the optimal driving
and maintenance options, your job can be greatly simplified.
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