Routine truck maintenance is crucial for ensuring a safe trip and for better fleet management if you’re the owner of a trucking company. By staying proactive with your preventative maintenance, you’ll be able to catch potential problems before they develop into something more significant, and thus more expensive to repair.
Here are just a few of the main tips for you to keep in mind when you’re considering how to take care of a truck in Flagstaff, AZ:
- Stay on top of oil changes: Good, clean oil is the lifeblood of any engine. Over time, it is easy for engine oil to become contaminated with debris from the environment and other parts of the engine, which could make for inefficient operation. Different trucks will have different standards with regard to how frequently you need to change your oil. The manufacturer will have some specific recommendations for your rig. Whatever those recommendations are, make sure you prioritize regular oil changes.
- Continue to inspect your tires: Tire maintenance is crucial for any kind of vehicle, but especially for large tractor trailers, which put a whole lot of wear and tear on their tires. Before every trip, check the tires for any signs of damage or significant wear. If they appear to have lost a significant amount of tread, replace them to make sure you’re able to get the necessary grip on the road. You should also regularly check the air pressure in your tires to make sure you’re operating at safe levels, and that you’re able to get the best fuel efficiency out of your ride.
- Clean it inside and out: Cleaning your truck will not only help you to take more pride in it in general, but it can also help you keep it in good condition. Salt and debris on the exterior of the truck can eat away at the paint or protective layers over time, resulting in rust and corrosion. In addition, debris inside the cab can, at the very least, make for an unpleasant ride. Over time it could also result in damage to some of the interior surfaces, including mats, seat upholstery and leather.
- Check fluids: Make sure you routinely check your levels of windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid, engine coolant and brake fluid. All of these fluids are important for safe operation of your truck. You shouldn’t have to change these fluids frequently (except perhaps your windshield washer fluid), but it’s still important to regularly check them to make sure there aren’t any leaks and that the fluid is still in good operational condition.
- Check lights: If you’re going to be spending long hours on the road, it’s important you make sure all of your lights are working properly so you can safely drive in all conditions. This means headlights, taillights, brake lights and blinkers.
For more information about the best ways to take care of your truck in Flagstaff, AZ, contact the team at Emergency Response – Truck, Trailer & RV Repair today. We look forward to assisting you!