Preventive Maintenance Saves Time and Money.

Trucks have to keep running. An owner-operator or commercial trucking company cannot make money when their trucks are sitting in the shop getting repaired. The best way to keep the wheels rolling on your truck is to keep up with regularly scheduled preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance, including lube, oil change and inspections, and routine maintenance is the best way to ensure that your rig is in top running condition.

Preventive maintenance on commercial trucks is the best way to cut costs, minimize breakdowns, and protect your investment is you keeping your commitment to your truck. Depending on the make of the truck, there are up to three different levels of preventive maintenance, or service offered on a routine basis. Most commercial truck manufacturers recommend that preventive maintenance to be performed every 15,000 miles. Drivers should also consult a certified preventive maintenance technician to ensure that all maintenance is done according to your state issued inspection list.

To help increase the longevity of your commercial truck and ensure it continues to operate for hundreds of thousands of miles without trouble, it's important to perform a commercial truck pre-trip inspection before hitting the road. Here are a few areas to focus on:

Check your tires - According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), tire-related costs are the single largest expense, accounting for as much as one-third of total maintenance costs, associated with commercial vehicles. Plan to spend about half an hour examining your tires, each and every time, before you hit the road.

First, check the air pressure in your tires. If you have a vehicle with dual tires, it is imperative that you check the inner tires, as well as the outer ones, even though they can be more difficult to reach. The outer tires can mask issues, such as under-inflation, which is the most common tire-related problem experienced by truck drivers. In fact, nearly 90 percent of tire breakdowns are the result of under-inflation, and a third of tire life is lost when under-inflated by 20 percent. Low tire pressure can cause heat build-up and reduce your fuel efficiency, too. Fortunately, even though tire under-inflation can create expensive problems, they can usually be avoided with proper attention.

In addition to checking the tire pressure, you should examine the tread. If you notice cracks or irregular wear, you may need to replace, rotate or adjust the inflation in your tire. If you aren't sure, ask a professional commercial vehicle repair shop for an evaluation. Finally, replace your tires every three to five years, regardless of wear and mileage.

Check your fluids - First, look to see if there are signs of fluid leakage on the ground under your commercial vehicle. Then, take a look under the hood and check the coolant, antifreeze, oil and fuel. Look for leaks, and ensure you have the proper amounts of the fluids. Finally, turn on your truck and ensure the oil pressure, temperature and air pressure gauges are working properly.

Check your electrical system and wiring- All warning lights and buzzers should be working properly. In addition to checking your headlights (low and high beam), four-way flashers, clearance lights, turn signals, brake lights and other electrical components to be sure they are working properly, examine your truck for frayed or loose wiring. Common culprits include dangling fuel lines and worn battery cable that due to rubbing, can become exposed and cause a truck fire.

Check your brakes - First, test your parking brake. Also be sure your standard brakes have the proper amount of lining left. Review the manufacturer's specifications for these guidelines, including any notations around these other brake-related items:

- Leaks in the air pressure system, including the leakage rate

- Low pressure warning alarm

- Parking breaks turn on automatically

- Rate of air pressure build-up