Regular maintenance is crucial for any vehicle to ensure its performance and durability, and this is especially true for trucks due to the considerable weight loads they carry in addition to their own. As a result, these vehicles require close attention in the inspections that are carried out on them.
If these inspections are not carried out on a regular basis, the vehicle can present numerous long-term problems, such as delays in the delivery of goods or the inability to undertake new journeys if the truck is not in a serviceable condition.
Below, we tell you what to pay particular attention to and give you some tips on how to keep your vehicle in top condition:
- Check the condition of the engine: Trucks travel many hours and kilometres, so checking the condition of the engine is essential to prevent costly breakdowns. Check fluid levels, including coolant and oil, as well as wires and connectors.
- Keep brakes in good condition: As with any vehicle, truck brakes wear out frequently, and failure to detect them in time can have serious consequences. It is important to check for signs of deterioration, corrosion or damage.
- Change parts when necessary: At each periodic service, it is advisable to change the filters. Filter clogging due to sediment build-up is one of the most common breakdowns in large trucks. It is also important to be aware of the right time to change the oil and to visit the workshop before the end of the cycle. It is also advisable to change bearings and brakes after 30,000 kilometres.
- Check that the lights are working properly: Before embarking on any long journey, it is vital to make sure that all lights are working properly. If any are found to be out, replace them immediately.
- Check tyre condition: Pay attention to tyre pressure before and after each trip. Also, change the valves when changing tyres, as they tend to deteriorate easily as they are made of plastic. Tyre cleaning is important to prolong tyre life. Use warm water and soap, avoiding the use of chemicals that can damage the quality of the rubber. It is also advisable to check the condition of the tyres and make sure there are no stones or nails embedded in them.
- Balance the tyres: Whenever you change or remove tyres, it is necessary to balance them properly. This will help to avoid unexpected vibrations, excessive wear and possible suspension, steering and transmission problems.
In addition to the checks mentioned above, there are some practical tips that can help us save on future repairs to our truck, such as:
- Firstly, it is advisable to always keep the fuel level above a quarter of the tank. Avoid putting the truck in reserve and, preferably, refuel before the gauge reaches the ¼ mark.
- Another useful tip to prolong the long-term life of the engine is to let the truck idle for half a minute when you start it for the first time of the day, and do the same before switching it off. During the summer or winter seasons, you can use this time to turn on the air conditioning or heating and allow the cabin to acclimatise before you start driving.
- Finally, driving skill also plays a key role, especially in relation to tyre condition. If you drive responsibly, avoiding sudden acceleration and braking, as well as abrupt changes of direction, and regularly check the pressure of your truck’s tyres, you will notice a marked improvement in the service life of your tyres.
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