Pre-Trip Inspection Pointers for Commercial Motor Vehicles

Pre-Trip Inspection Pointers for Commercial Motor Vehicles
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The largest overhead expense as a commercial truck owner is often the cost of repairs and maintenance,
which includes parts and labor. Repairs also mean vehicles are not on the road, and this loss of use can
also be costly. Following a thorough pre-trip inspection regimen on a regular basis can help prevent
expensive breakdowns. Necessary repairs can be made more efficiently and less expensively before you
hit the road than when you are traveling. In addition, you are less likely to experience an accident.
Pre-trip inspections are also mandatory, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49
CFR, Part 396.13). The pre-trip inspection checklist below can help extend the life of your investment,
reduce the amount of time and money lost due to downtime and repairs, and keep you from possible
penalties from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Commercial vehicle pre-trip inspection checklist includes:
1. Check your tires.
• Why? According to the FMCSA, tire-related costs are the single largest expense, accounting for as
much as one-third of total maintenance costs associated with commercial vehicles. You should spend
about half an hour examining your tires every time before you hit the road.
• Check the air pressure. If you have a vehicle with dual tires, it is imperative that you check the innertires 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.
• Examine tire treads. 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.
2. Check your fluids.
• Look for signs of fluid leakage on the ground under your vehicle. Then, take a look under the hood
and check the coolant, antifreeze, oil and fuel for leaks and the proper amount of fluids. Finally, turnon your truck and ensure the oil pressure, temperature and air pressure gauges are working properly.
3. 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 cables that, due to rubbing, can
become exposed and cause a truck fire.
4. Check your brakes.
• First, test your parking brake. Also, be sure your standard brakes have the proper amount of lining
remaining. 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 brakes turn on automatically
• Rate of air pressure build-up
5. Invest in a good commercial truck insurance policy.
• Finally, be smart about your commercial truck insurance policy. Be sure you understand how much
and what type of coverage you need to adequately protect your investment, and your livelihood.
Sources:
•
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Preventative Maintenance and Inspection Procedures
The information provided in this document is for information purposes only to aid the reader in better understanding the topic. Tower
Group Companies and its affiliates do not guarantee the information contained herein and assume no liability in connection with the
information provided in this document.