Owning a commercial truck requires plenty of regular maintenance.
If you follow a detailed truck maintenance checklist, you’ll ensure you do all the necessary jobs to keep your vehicle in good running order. Neglect these simple maintenance checks, and it could result in major issues and expensive fixes further down the line.
To help keep your vehicle in top condition, we’ve covered everything your truck maintenance checklist should include in the guide below.
What is a Commercial Truck Maintenance Checklist?
A commercial truck maintenance checklist is a guide that truck drivers or fleet managers go through to ensure trucks are in safe working condition. It’s essential to go through a routine maintenance checklist on your vehicle regularly to keep your truck in good working order.
A commercial vehicle maintenance checklist should include daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, such as checking fluid levels, inspecting tires and the braking system, testing lights and the electrical system, and examining the engine and transmission. You should also include regular maintenance tasks like oil changes, filter replacements, and brake inspections on your list.
A maintenance checklist helps prevent breakdowns, extends the truck’s lifespan, and ensures compliance with safety regulations. Keeping up with this checklist can help you reduce repair costs and improve your vehicle’s overall performance.
Types of Commercial Truck Maintenance Checklists
Here’s a breakdown of the various checklists that exist for managing commercial vehicles.
Preventative Maintenance Checklist
Preventative maintenance involves regular, planned servicing to keep trucks in good condition. This type of maintenance helps you catch issues early to prevent breakdowns and expensive repairs.
Your preventive maintenance checklist should include tasks like oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and fluid checks. Checking the engine, transmission, and exhaust system is also important.
Demand Maintenance
Demand maintenance needs to be done when a specific issue arises. This includes things like fixing a flat tire, replacing a broken headlight, or repairing your entire brake system.
Unlike preventative maintenance, it’s reactive – fixing problems as they happen. While it’s essential to fix issues immediately, relying only on demand maintenance can lead to bigger maintenance problems and greater repair costs.
Crisis Maintenance Checklist
Crisis maintenance happens during an emergency or unexpected breakdown.
These maintenance tasks include things like sudden engine failure, brake failure, or any other critical issues that need immediate attention. Crisis maintenance can be very expensive and often happens because of a neglected preventive maintenance checklist.
Maintenance Record Checklist
A maintenance record checklist tracks all the maintenance activities you do on your truck.
This includes details like service dates, any details of the work done, and any parts you’ve replaced.
Essential Checklist Items for Your Commercial Truck
For proper maintenance to happen, it’s essential that you run detailed vehicle inspections that cover all the important parts of your vehicle. To do this, here’s what your checklists should cover.
Mechanical Technical Inspection
Conduct a thorough examination of the engine for any visible leaks, unusual noises, or performance issues. Check the condition of the belts and hoses – they should be free of cracks and wear and tear.
Ensure the air filter is clean and replace it if it’s dirty. Look at the spark plugs, fuel filters, and fuel injectors to see if they’re functioning correctly.
Inspect the transmission for any signs of leaks, which can indicate seal or gasket issues. Ensure the transmission fluid is at the correct level and is not discolored or burned.
You’ll also want to examine your exhaust system for any signs of rust, holes, or loose connections. Inspect the suspension system, including shocks and struts, for wear. Check the steering system, including the power steering pump and steering linkage, for proper operation.
Fluids and Oils Inspections
Regularly check the power steering fluid level and top it off as needed. Look for any leaks around the power steering pump, hoses, and reservoir.
Use the dipstick while the engine is running to inspect the transmission fluid. The fluid should be clear and red, not brown or burned-smelling. Regularly changing this fluid is essential.
Make sure you also regularly check the engine oil level and condition. Inspect the coolant level in the radiator and overflow tank to ensure it’s clean and at the correct level. Ensure your brake fluid is also at the right level and not contaminated.
Brakes Inspection
It’s essential that you thoroughly inspect your brake system, starting with your brake pads and shoes. They should be thick enough and show no signs of excessive wear.
Check the brake rotors and drums for any scoring or uneven wear, which can affect braking performance. Ensure the brake lines and hoses are free of leaks, bulges, or cracks.
Test the brakes by pressing the pedal – it should feel firm and not spongy.
Lights Inspection
Always check all of your vehicle’s exterior lights – including headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and emergency flashers, to ensure they’re working correctly. Replace any burned-out bulbs immediately.
It’s also a good idea to clean the light lenses for maximum visibility. Inside the truck, check the dashboard lights and ensure the truck’s electrical system is functioning properly.
Wheels and Rims Inspection
Inspect your tires using a tire gauge to check that they’re properly inflated. Under-inflated or over-inflated tires can affect your vehicle’s handling and fuel efficiency.
Check the tread depth using a tread depth gauge. Replace tires with low tread depth to guarantee good traction. Look for any signs of damage, such as cuts, bulges, or punctures, which can lead to tire failure.
Interior Inspection
You should also regularly check the condition of your seats and seat belts.
Seats should be secure and not excessively worn, while seat belts should latch properly and show no signs of fraying. Inspect the dashboard for any warning lights that might indicate a problem.
All of your vehicle’s gauges, like the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge, need to be working correctly. Test the air conditioning and heating systems to ensure they’re working properly.
Windshield, Back Windows, and Mirror Inspection
Inspect your windshield for any cracks or chips that can obstruct your vision or worsen over time. Cracked windshields could result in pretty major maintenance costs if left for too long.
Ensure your windshield wipers are in good condition and replace them if they streak or skip.
Mirror inspection integrity is also essential. Check the back windows and side mirrors for any damage that could affect visibility.
Weather Conditions and Truck Maintenance
Having a specific truck maintenance checklist for different weather conditions helps keep your vehicle in the best possible condition for whatever environment you’re driving in.
Cold Conditions
In cold conditions, you need to fully charge and maintain your truck’s battery in good condition, as cold weather can weaken it.
Check the antifreeze level to prevent the engine from freezing. Make sure your tires have enough tread and proper inflation, as cold air can reduce tire pressure. Use winter-grade oil and use the right wiper blades if you’re driving in snow and ice.
Your defrosting system will need to be working properly to maintain clear visibility.
Hot Conditions
Hot conditions require enough coolant levels to prevent the engine from overheating.
Ensure the radiator and cooling system are clean and working properly. Inspect the tires for proper inflation, as hot air can increase tire pressure and risk blowouts.
You may want to monitor the brakes closely, as high temperatures can affect brake performance.
Wet Conditions
Your windshield wipers and washers need to be in good working order when driving in wet conditions.
Check your tire tread depth for good traction on wet roads. Inspect the brake system to ensure it is responsive, as wet conditions can affect braking efficiency. It’s also good practice to clean the truck’s undercarriage regularly when driving in wet conditions to prevent rust and corrosion from road salt and moisture.
Dry Conditions
Dust can be a major issue if you’re driving under dry conditions.
Regularly check and replace your air filters if you’re in a dusty environment. Inspect the tires for signs of dry rot or cracking, which can happen when exposed to heat and dryness.
Check that your brakes are free from dust buildup. You should also regularly clean the exterior and undercarriage of the vehicle to prevent dust and dirt from causing damage. Keeping the truck well-lubricated can also prevent parts from drying out and malfunctioning.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining commercial vehicles is an ongoing process. However, it’s essential that you perform regular inspections and maintenance checks. Otherwise, minor issues could turn into much bigger problems further down the line.
Something as simple as following a basic preventive maintenance checklist will keep your vehicle in good condition and prolong its lifespan. This can save you a lot of money on emergency repairs.
Are you looking to purchase a new commercial vehicle? Then you’ll need to have the right commercial vehicle financing solution available. Get in touch with us at Mission Financial Services – we make it easy for all truck drivers to access the financing they need (even if you have a poor credit score).
