Whether you have one semi-truck or a whole fleet to take care of, preventative maintenance is the best way to avoid costly emergency repairs and ensure your commercial vehicle has a long, efficient life.
At Tri-State Truck Center, we understand that planning and executing a preventative maintenance schedule can be daunting, especially when you already have so much to do. In this blog, we’ll go cover the steps you should take to get started on your preventative maintenance schedule, like:
Document All the Details
Creating a preventative maintenance plan specific to your fleet’s needs requires proper documentation of all your trucks. This way, you can ensure your plan will be effective and all your vehicles are accounted for — after all, no two trucks are alike! We suggest you keep stock of each vehicle using the following information:
Of course, you can document your fleet information whatever way you would like, whether it be via an online spreadsheet or a physical paper one. It may even be a good idea to use both methods so you always have an extra copy of your important vehicle information.
Monitor and Plan Accordingly
Each truck will need a different maintenance schedule based on key benchmarks, such as:
It’s important that you monitor these indicators for each vehicle and create your maintenance schedule accordingly. It’s also a good idea to monitor the routes of your fleet so you know when they’ll be near your preferred service station — this will allow you to have your routine maintenance performed by a technician you trust. If you’re in need of a quality service provider or technician, Tri State Truck has eleven locations across the Mid South — we’ve got you covered. Find a location that’s close to you!
Inspect Regularly
In order to create a good preventive maintenance plan, routine inspections and observations are needed. These check-ins will ensure your vehicle is running properly between appointments with a technician. We suggest creating a schedule that includes regular inspection of the following areas:
It’s mandatory that you have your fleet inspected annually, but it could be a good idea to have inspections as frequently as every 6-8 months — this way, you stay ahead of any possible maintenance issues.
Contact Tri State Truck Center
Once you have documentation and an understanding of the health of your trucks, it’s time to schedule your routine service appointments. Tri-State Truck Center is here to help you at every stop along the way. Contact us today and learn how we can help keep your vehicle in top-notch condition!