As a truck driver, owner-operator, or business owner, it is essential to have a well-structured semi-trailer maintenance plan in place. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires annual inspections of commercial vehicles, which is a thorough inspection that covers every corner of your equipment. A preventive maintenance checklist for semitrailers will help keep your vehicles in good condition and avoid costly repairs and downtime. More than 3.5 million people work as truck drivers, and they drive many miles every year.
This means that they must carry out regular maintenance checks to ensure safety and increase the life of their trucks. When carrying out maintenance checks, you should ensure that the oil has been changed after a while. The oil should generally be changed every six months, or you can be guided by the mileage and change it approximately every 7,500 miles. You should also replace the air intake filter approximately every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.
You can check the filter and find out if it needs to be replaced if the light doesn't get through it - this could happen before 15,000 miles, so be sure to add it to your regular maintenance checks. Seasonal changes cause extreme hot and cold climates, such as driving trucks in winter, that affect trucks differently from one season to the next. In addition to changing the oil and air intake filter, other important maintenance items include checking the transmission, fuel pump, braking system, hydraulic brake inspection, air brake inspection, wheel alignment, turn signals, and engine oil. It is also important to replace parts that are nearing the end of their useful life. An effective fleet management system will greatly contribute to the performance of your fleet and will increase the confidence of truck drivers. Always consider preventive maintenance on a semi-trailer as a fundamental part of being a truck driver, owner-operator, or business owner.
