When your business relies on trucks for delivery and transportation, proper fleet maintenance is essential. Breakdowns can cost you time, money, and even customers. Here’s a closer look at some important tips for preventative maintenance on your trucks so you can keep your bottom line strong.

3 Fundamental Fleet Maintenance Tips

1.  Change the Oil

As with any vehicle, oil is the lifeblood of a semi-truck. For heavy-duty vehicles, the oil should be replaced about every 25,000 miles. For light-duty trucks, this number is closer to 5,000. However, if the vehicle is driven in rough conditions, such as on hilly roads or in sustained heat or cold, change the oil more frequently.

Make sure to check the levels before every trip and add oil if necessary. This will keep your engine properly lubricated and let you know if the engine has a problem with leakage or burning oil.

2. Inspect the Brakes

The brakes are perhaps a truck's most important safety system. It takes a semi-truck more than 500 feet to stop when traveling at highway speeds—and this is when the brakes are in good condition. Therefore, it’s essential to make brake inspection a part of regular fleet maintenance. 

Before every trip, listen for air leaks and look for cracked pads and chafing hoses. Check for rust and perforations on the external drums and for missing or damaged components.

3. Grease the Chassis

Greasing the chassis provides several important benefits. First, it minimizes friction between moving parts. Second, it protects exposed metal against corrosion.

Third, the flow of grease helps drive out contaminants that have already moved in. Apply liberally, but avoid leaving big globs of grease that will only attract dirt and grime. Grease during each oil change and then again once between oil service visits.

For professional fleet maintenance, contact MCL Mobile Fleet Services, the premier commercial truck repair company in Norcross, GA. They’ve served Gwinnett County and the greater Atlanta, GA, area since 2015 with oil changes, tire service, DPF cleaning, trailer repair, and even semi-truck roadside assistance. Visit their website to learn more about their maintenance services or call (470) 321-4147 to make an appointment.