Five tips for preventive truck maintenance

Preventive maintenance is the best way to ward off unexpected and costly repairs. Experts advise not to wait until the last minute, but to create a plan for inspections and preventive maintenance tailored to your truck and your driving style.

We're sharing five heavy-duty truck preventive maintenance tips from the experts:

1. Check the levels of fluids:

Check your engine oil, coolant, transmission, brakes and power steering fluid levels before heading out on a long trip. If you notice a drop in the level of any fluid between checks, it may be a good indication of a consumption problem or a leak that can be fixed before becoming a serious issue.

2. Make checking your tires a habit:

Any truck driver will tell you it's extremely important to check the tire pressure on heavy trucks and trailers frequently. Tires must be properly inflated to avoid uneven wear, maximize fuel economy, and ensure optimum traction, braking, and load carrying ability at all times.

Bonus tip: Check for uneven tire wear, as it could be related to tire pressure issues or alignment and suspension problems.

3. Checking air filters:

When a filter becomes clogged, it can reduce the amount of air that enters your engine, reducing power and lowering fuel economy. Review and change your air filter at regular intervals and check more often, especially if you drive on dirty and dusty roads.

4. Do a battery load test and review the electrical system:

Driving long distances, frequent stops and starts put your truck's electrical system to the test. It's good practice to add the battery, alternator and electrical system to your preventive maintenance list for an annual check. If you’re working in colder climates, checking before winter is the best way to avoid charging problems.

5. Service your fifth wheel platform regularly:

Fifth wheel platform problems can slow down and even stop your truck from the road if you can't securely connect your trailer. You should check your fifth wheel platform regularly and lubricate/adjust it as needed. Clean accumulated dirt from the mechanism and check for excessive wear or components that need to be replaced.