It's up to you to create a PM program that fits your fleets specific needs. Photo courtesy of Peak

It's up to you to create a PM program that fits your fleets specific needs. Photo courtesy of Peak

Everyone knows that oil is the lifeblood of the engine and the engine is the heart of a truck. As a result, most trucks are getting their oil changed on a regular schedule. But oil changes alone will not keep trucks from operating inefficiently or worse, breaking down.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules say that fleets must have programs to “systematically inspect, repair and maintain…all motor vehicles…subject to its control.”

But FMCSA doesn’t offer fleets specific guidelines on what needs to be inspected or how frequently the inspection has to occur. These decisions are up to the individual fleet.

A good way to decide what needs to be included in your preventive maintenance (PM) program is to start with OEM recommendations and then look at data from your CSA inspection reports as well as your on-road breakdowns. If you consistently see problems in one area, make sure to add it to your PM inspection checklist.

Lighting, tires and brakes are three common areas where fleets receive frequent CSA violations and even fines. Combining the data from roadside inspections with data about breakdowns between PMs will help you tailor a maintenance program to your fleet’s problem areas.

However, even if you don’t see a lot of violations in the Maintenance BASIC or experience breakdowns, there are still several areas of the truck that deserve to be looked at on a regular basis.

Oil isn’t the only fluid requiring attention. If nothing else, check all fluid levels when a truck is in the bay for an oil change.

Here’s a list of eight items often overlooked during a PM check:

  1. Today’s more sophisticated engines make coolant more important than ever. Coolant needs to be tested regularly to ensure the freeze/boil-over protection levels are correct and the coolant is continuing to protect metals from corrosion.

  2. While you’re checking fluids, don’t forget about filters. Clogged filters prevent trucks from operating at peak levels so make sure they’re still doing their job of stopping contaminants and dirt from getting into vital systems and components.

  3. The electrical system is something else that deserves attention. Lose wiring and connections, particularly on the battery, can cause all kinds of problems including corrosion. Make sure your maintenance technicians look for frayed wiring and loose connections. 

  4. Belts and hoses are also susceptible to fraying and wear. 

  5. While drivers should check air pressure in tires during their pre- and post-trip inspections, not all of them do a thorough job. The inside tire on a set of duals is often ignored as it’s harder to get to, for example. Make sure tire pressure and tread depth are checked regularly.

  6. Use a wear gauge to determine the remaining brake life. Given the corrosive de-icing chemicals used on roads today, look for signs of rust jacking. During the winter months it’s a good idea to regularly hose the underside of the truck to try to help prevent build up of these corrosive chemicals. Check slack adjusters because they’re a good indicator of the condition of the braking system. Out of adjustment slack adjusters tell you something is wrong with the brake system.

  7. Burned out lights is a sure-fire way for your driver to be pulled over for a roadside inspection. During a PM it’s a good idea to turn the lights on to see if they are operating properly including brake lights and turn indicator lighting.

  8. Many fleets continue to struggle with failures in the emissions control system so keep an eye on the DPF and doser valve, as well as the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system and that the diesel exhaust fluid is replenished on recommended intervals.

While it may seem daunting to keep track of all the needed maintenance, a good checklist makes the process easier. Set up a checklist including the following: a walk-around inspection, an under hood inspection, an under vehicle inspection and a cab inspection. Place specific inspections under each of those categories and instruct technicians to systematically go through the list.

While it’s cliché, an ounce of prevention is time and effort well spent, especially if it helps you avoid CSA fines and more importantly keeps your trucks on the road not on the side of the road.

Originally posted on Work Truck Online