A well structured semi truck maintenance plan is crucial to maintaining a thriving trucking business and sustaining a healthy profit margin. After all, you can’t make money if you’re broken down on the roadside. To assist you in caring for your truck and to help you keep those wheels turning, we’ve put together this guide with wisdom gleaned from generations of successful owner-operators and trucking companies.
You’re probably familiar with the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That saying couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to trucking.
Preventative maintenance is your “ounce of prevention.” Developing and sticking to a maintenance schedule will help you root out minor problems and fix them before they turn into major expensive problems.
The three pillars of preventative maintenance are:
The federal government has recognized the importance of preventative maintenance in the safe operation of commercial vehicles. They have addressed the issue with regulations that guide truckers toward conducting preventative maintenance to avoid having their truck placed out of service for mechanical defaults.
“Every motor carrier and intermodal equipment provider must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles and intermodal equipment subject to its control.” - FMCSA
Each truck manufacturer provides maintenance interval information to help truckers establish their maintenance programs. Follow these interval guidelines to optimize your preventative maintenance schedule and consult a qualified professional before making any repairs or removing parts from your truck.
It isn’t easy to specify an exact amount regarding maintenance costs. With so many makes and models of trucks available, many variables exist to consider. However, a good average is around $15,000 per year, although that amount scales upward as the vehicle ages.
Semi truck maintenance costs are one of the easiest costs to manage by taking a proactive approach. Small expenditures on routine maintenance will prolong the life of the truck and minimize the occurrence of major repair expenses. To further manage costs, compare the routine maintenance costs between dealerships and large truck repair chains, for example, Love’s, TA, and Ryder. Not only do these larger chains provide nationwide service, they are more competitive in their pricing than small mom and pop repair shops, and you have a better chance of receiving discounts.
The most common mechanical issues and repair needs include problems with:
Frequent inspection of these specific parts can help reduce your overall maintenance costs by spotting problems early. To manage your maintenance costs it may be a good idea to plan your maintenance budget per mile. Here are some at-a-glance numbers:
Maintenance Items Normal-Heavy Duty Severe Duty Classic Lube 15,000 miles 10,000 miles Battery Service 3-axle Alignment Every 12 months Every 12 months Oil Chanve/B service 4,500 miles or 1,300 hours 35,000 miles or 825 hours Air Filter Fuel Tank Vent Air Dryer Filter 150,000 miles 100,000 miles Power Steering Fluid Filter 150,000 miles 150,000 miles Battery Service Valve adjustment 150,000 miles then every 300,000 miles after the first overhead (valve adjustment) 150,000 miles then every 200,000 miles after the first overhead (valve adjustment) DEF System Service 150,000 miles 150,000 miles AHI Clean/Replace 150,000 miles 100,000 miles DPF Filter Clean/Bake 400,000 miles 250,000 miles Coolant Filter Replace 300,000 miles 150,000 miles Coolant Replace/Flush 750,000 miles 750,000 miles Transmission Filter/Fluid Replace 500,000 mi or 60 months 500,000 mi or 60 months Fan/Accessory Drive Belt Replace 300,000 miles 150,000 miles Differential Oil Replace 250,000 miles 150,000 milesHere is a list of common maintenance intervals. Be sure to check your manufacturer’s recommendations as these values differ between the various makes and models of trucks.
Seasonal changes bring hot and cold weather extremes, such as winter truck driving, that affect your truck differently from one season to the next. To optimize your maintenance schedule, we suggest adjusting your plan to compensate for climatic conditions.
Driver pre-trip inspections are the core of a good preventative maintenance program, which aids in truck driver safety. A strict routine for each inspection will keep you from accidentally overlooking a maintenance issue and give you peace of mind throughout your work day.
In addition to your full pre-trip inspection, here are some areas of your truck to inspect every time you stop. Keep in mind while this list looks like it will take a while to complete, you can finish these inspection items in less time than it takes to top off your fuel tanks.
“Inspect your truck regularly and take care of those minor issues before they become big and expensive issues.”
Jennifer Kohl, 15+ years of experienceIf you can’t stop because of a problem with your brakes, your truck turns into an 80,000 pound missile. To ensure your brakes are in good working order, inspect them every time you stop. Of all the parts that make up your truck, the brakes take the brunt of the daily wear and tear, and they are most likely to wear out the fastest. Knowing how to check that your brakes are in good condition is an essential truck driver skill to master. Here’s what to look for:
Frequent inspection of your tires can be the difference between getting to your next stop on time and sitting several hours on the roadside waiting for a service truck. Losing a tire can turn deadly in an instant, so keeping an eye out for problems is important, both financially and safety-wise. When inspecting your tires look for:
A fluid leak, if left unchecked, can have catastrophic consequences in terms of safety, repair costs, and unwanted downtime. It’s always a good idea to keep spare fluids such as oil, antifreeze, wiper fluid, and power steering fluid with you at all times and to keep these critical fluids topped off.
Keeping spare fluid handy is also helpful in the event of a leak, enabling you to limp your truck to a repair center and avoid a costly towing bill. Here are some tips for keeping an eye on your truck’s fluid levels:
Your truck’s electrical system is another key component to safe operation and your mobility, since a dead battery or an alternator on the blink is going to leave you at a standstill. At the start and end of your shifts, here are some important elements of the truck’s electrical system to inspect:
A diligent preventative maintenance routine means saving money in the long run, safer operations, and fewer breakdowns. Always consider semi truck preventative maintenance as a core part of being a truck driver, owner-operator, or company owner. Conduct daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections and follow manufacturer guidelines when it comes to maintenance: Change the oil on time, change the filters on time, and fix the minor problems before they become major problems. With a strong maintenance program in place, you’ll enjoy safe and profitable miles as you drive toward success.
