The Importance of Regular Vehicle Maintenance in Reducing Trucking Risks
Long-haul trucks travel an average of 45,000 miles per year (1) and an 18-wheel truck can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds. (2) That is a massive object driving at very high speeds for exceedingly long distances all over the country. The undertaking puts trucks through the ringer and means they require regular maintenance to keep them operating at their best. Without the necessary maintenance, long-haul trucks can be a serious hazard to their drivers, cargo, the motorists they share the road with, and the companies they represent.
Truck maintenance takes on many forms – from the pre-trip inspections done by drivers to the upkeep and repairs performed by professional mechanics, but all of it is critical to protect your investment, your drivers, and everyone they encounter on their travels.
What does Regular Maintenance Mean?
Regular maintenance for your truck requires a comprehensive approach, including:
Daily Maintenance:
- Tracking daily mileage so you are aware of when you are due for service
- Monitoring and reporting anything that sounds or feels off when driving
- Cleaning windows, mirrors, and reflectors
- Checking tire pressure
Pre-Trip Inspections:
Checking:
- Engine oil, coolant, and fluid levels and potential leaks
- Tire pressure and general condition
- Lights
- Condition of the body of the truck and trailer
- Brakes
- Tires
- Presence of an emergency kit
Professional Maintenance: Trucks should receive basic service every 10,000-20,000 miles including:
- Changing engine oil and filter, fuel filter, and air filter
- Lubricant top off and transmission fluid
- Thorough visual inspection of cab and trailer
- Tires, wheels, and rim condition
- Lights and brakes function
- Reflectors, mirrors, seat belts, seats, and horn function
- Electric, steering, suspension, and communication systems function
- Battery function and wire corrosion
Seasonal Maintenance
In warm months, check:
- Air conditioning
- Coolant levels
- Electrical systems
- Tire pressure
- Radiator
- Battery
- Belts and hoses
In cold weather, check:
- Windshield, especially for chips and cracks, and wiper blades
- Defrosters and radiator
- Braking system
- Fluid levels – oil, coolant, power steering fluid, wiper fluid
- Tire tread
- Battery, belts, and hoses
Benefits of Proper Maintenance
Ensuring your truck and/or fleet receives responsible, proper maintenance provides many benefits:
Safety: Nothing is more important than the safety of the truck drivers and anyone they encounter on the roadways. There are more than 168,000 accidents involving trucks every year, 32% of which result in injury and 3% in fatality. (3) A vehicle that is not properly maintained increases the risk of an accident.
Improved efficiency and productivity: Trucks that are well maintained drive better and have fewer breakdowns and less downtime waiting for parts to be delivered, increasing the likelihood cargo makes it to its destination on time.
Increased lifespan: Regular maintenance can optimize and extend the time you are able to use a truck, stretching the value of your investment.
Cost savings: Preventative care is cheaper and takes less time than serious repairs. Even a dirty filter or tires with low tire pressure can decrease fuel efficiency, increasing the cost of the fuel needed for each trip.
Regulatory Compliance: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under the US Department of Transportation (DOT) – the governing body responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses – mandates that trucks receive regular maintenance and that drivers maintain and keep logs with them during trips. Trucks must also pass an annual DOT inspection.
The FMCSA requires that trucks receive regular maintenance not only for compliance, but to support all the other benefits maintenance brings with it. In fact, many of these factors are considered in a trucking company’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores, scores that reflect a carrier’s safety performance, measures compliance with safety regulations, and identifies high-risk fleets, carriers, and drivers. A good CSA score is good for a trucking company’s reputation, insurance premiums, and overall operations.
At SWZ, we are experts on CSA scores and protecting your trucking fleet. We offer a free SCORE Report to help you understand your safety score, identify safety issues, and learn how to resolve them. To learn more about how we can help you safeguard your business, please contact us today.
(1) https://www.tristatetruck.com/blog/posts/what-is-the-average-lifespan-of-a-long-haul-truck#:~:text=Given%20that%20an%20average%20semi,a%20significant%20long%2Dterm%20investment
(2) https://www.terrybryant.com/how-much-does-semi-truck-weigh
(3)https://www.truckinfo.net/research/truck-accident-statistics
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