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Lubrication ensures that the moving parts of your truck are adequately lubricate, reducing friction, wear and tear, and ultimately, breakdowns. Proper truck maintenance is essential for keeping it running smoothly and prolonging its lifespan. One of the critical aspects of truck maintenance is lubrication.

But how often should you lubricate your truck? This blog post will answer that question and provide you with some tips on truck lubrication.

What is truck lubrication?

First, let’s start with the basics. Lubrication involves adding lubricating oil or grease to various parts of your truck’s engine, transmission, axles, and other moving parts. The oil or grease forms a film between the metal surfaces, reducing friction and wear. Over time, this film can break down, become contaminated, or simply evaporate, leaving the metal surfaces exposed to each other, causing friction, heat, and wear.

How often should I lubricate my truck?

The frequency of lubrication depends on several factors, including the type of lubrication, the manufacturer’s recommendations, and your truck’s usage. For instance, heavy-duty trucks that are subjected to rigorous operations like long hauls, towing, and hauling loads will require more frequent lubrication than light-duty trucks that run errands around town.

Generally, truck manufacturers recommend lubricating your truck every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, or every six months, whichever comes first. However, this is a general guideline, and you should always consult your truck’s owner’s manual for specific instructions. The manual will provide recommendations on the type of lubricant to use, the intervals, and the quantity required.

Components that require lubrication in your truck

Some of the key components that require lubrication in your truck include the engine, transmission, differential, and wheel bearings.

The engine requires lubrication to reduce friction between the moving parts such as pistons, crankshaft, and camshaft. The transmission needs lubrication to ensure smooth shifting of gears and prevent heat build-up. 

The differential requires lubrication to reduce friction between the gears and extend its lifespan. Finally, the wheel bearings require lubrication to reduce friction between the wheels and the axle.

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The importance of paying attention to your truck’s performance

In addition to following the manufacturer’s recommendations, you should also pay attention to your truck’s performance and the operating conditions. If you notice any unusual noises, vibrations, or fluid leaks, it’s a sign that your truck requires immediate attention. Also, if you operate your truck in extreme conditions like dusty, muddy, or wet environments, you may need to lubricate it more frequently.

Why should you use the right lubricant for your truck?

It’s also essential to use the right type of lubricant for your truck. Each truck component requires a specific type of lubricant that meets the manufacturer’s specifications. Using the wrong type of lubricant can lead to premature wear and tear, poor performance, and even engine failure.

Lubrication is a critical aspect of truck maintenance that cannot be overlooked. Regular lubrication ensures that your truck’s moving parts are adequately lubricated, reducing friction, wear and tear, and ultimately, breakdowns. 

While the manufacturer’s recommendations provide a general guideline for lubrication intervals, it’s important to pay attention to your truck’s performance and operating conditions. By following these tips, you can keep your truck running smoothly and extend its lifespan.

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Preventative maintenance is a crucial aspect of owning and operating a truck. By taking the time and effort to perform regular maintenance checks, truck owners can ensure that their vehicles remain in excellent condition and continue to operate at peak efficiency for years to come. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of preventative maintenance for trucks and why it is essential to make it a part of your regular routine.

Reduce the Risk of Breakdowns

One of the most significant benefits of preventative maintenance for trucks is that it can help to reduce the risk of breakdowns. Regular maintenance checks can help identify potential problems before they become serious issues, preventing costly repairs and minimizing downtime. By keeping your truck in good condition, you can also reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns, which can be particularly important if you rely on your vehicle for your livelihood.

Improve Safety

Another important benefit of preventative maintenance for trucks is that it can help to improve safety. Regular maintenance checks can identify problems with brakes, tires, and other critical components that can compromise your vehicle’s safety on the road. By fixing these issues before they become serious problems, you can ensure that your truck remains safe to operate and reduce the risk of accidents.

Increase Fuel Efficiency

Trucks that are well-maintained are also more fuel-efficient. Regular oil changes, air filter replacements, and tire rotations can help to improve your vehicle’s gas mileage, saving you money on fuel costs over time. By keeping your truck in good condition, you can also ensure that it operates at peak efficiency, reducing wear and tear on the engine and other components and extending the life of your vehicle.

Extend the Life of Your Truck

Regular preventative maintenance can also help to extend the life of your truck. By identifying and fixing problems early on, you can prevent major issues that can lead to costly repairs or even the need for a new vehicle. By keeping your truck in good condition, you can also ensure that it remains reliable and continues to perform well for years to come.

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Maintain Resale Value

Finally, regular maintenance checks can help to maintain the resale value of your truck. A well-maintained vehicle is more likely to attract buyers and command a higher price than one that has been neglected. By keeping your truck in good condition, you can also ensure that it remains attractive to potential buyers and retains its value over time.

In conclusion, preventative maintenance is a critical aspect of owning and operating a truck. By taking the time and effort to perform regular maintenance checks, truck owners can reduce the risk of breakdowns, improve safety, increase fuel efficiency, extend the life of their vehicles, and maintain resale value. 

Whether you rely on your truck for work or use it for personal transportation, regular maintenance checks are essential for ensuring that it remains in good condition and continues to perform at its best. So, make sure to schedule regular maintenance checks for your truck and keep it in excellent condition for years to come.

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Day cab trucks are the specific type of heavy-duty automobiles specially used for day travel. The drivers do not need rest because of the consecutive duty hours. You can sleep in them by modifying the seats and making them comfortable.

How do you sleep in a day cab truck?

Many drivers think sleeping in these heavy-duty day cab trucks is challenging because there is no extra unit behind them.

However, you can make it comfortable by adding different accessories to their seats, so you can spend a night there in a difficult situation.

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1. Use air mattress

You can keep the air mattresses with you while driving them because you are not aware of the duty charts that the companies design. The air mattresses are made of plastic material and contain an opening for filling gas. You can fill the gas in them and put them on the front seats to take a rest.

2. Carpet padding foams

The carpet padding foams are made up of foamy and comfortable fabric. The thickness of these foaming pads is also less than the standard mattress in our homes. These are beneficial to use because you can fold them and put them in the interior cabin. In addition, these are foldable and take less space for their placement.

3. Keep pillows and throw blankets

The pillows and throw blankets are used to increase the comfort level of the firm and hard seats. In addition, many drivers also place them in daytime cabs to make the seats comfortable

4. Extend the day cab

The day cab truck conversion kit is available in the market to extend the space in these trucks. However, many truckers who only use their fleets for short deliveries do not prefer this option.

5. Try hammock

The hammock is used for sleeping and swinging purpose. It is made up of need and fabric material containing the rope at both ends for their attachment to a specific point. It is beneficial to use because of its comfortable and soft fabric. Moreover, tall drivers can also use them for resting purposes.

6. Sleeper boards

These boards are the most commonly used for napping in the day cab trucks. Sleeper boards are made up of plywood material upholstered with thin foam. You can directly place them on the seats and take a short nap of 1 to 2 hours on them. You can also make sleeper boards at your home.

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Did you know that there are advances being made in the trucking industry that are also helping the environment? Through the years, the trucking industry has made great strides in becoming more efficient. In the early days of trucking, it was not uncommon for a truck to get only five miles per gallon.

Green trucking is all about finding ways to make trucks more environmentally friendly. This includes anything from using alternative fuels to investing in new technologies that make trucks more fuel-efficient.

Top Green Trucking Practices

We’ve compiled a list of some initiatives being taken to help make trucking more sustainable.

1. Carbon Capture Technology

With carbon capture technology, carbon dioxide emissions can be captured and stored before they’re released into the atmosphere. This is a great way to reduce your company’s carbon footprint and make your operations more environmentally friendly.

2. Route Optimization

Route optimization is a long-established practice that has been used to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by finding the most efficient route for a truck to take.

There are a few different ways to go about this. One way is to use GPS tracking devices to track the movements of your trucks. This data can then be analyzed to find areas where your drivers are wasting time or fuel.

Another way to optimize your routes is to use route planning software. With the help of the best algorithms and dedicated drivers, you can be sure that your goods will be delivered on time and without any unnecessary delays.

3. Alternative Fuel

Alternative fuel would seem like the most obvious choice for trucking companies who plan to go green, but the costs of alternative fuel are also something to greatly consider as well. After all, fuel prices are only a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to operating costs.

These are some of the most popular alternative fuel choices for trucks.

• Compressed Natural Gas
• Electric
• Renewable Diesel

Alternative fuel and electric trucks aren’t the only way truckers can go green. In fact, going green has always been about changing one’s lifestyle and work habits.

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Good condition tires make all the difference in how well your car performs. It is also a safety measure to help you avoid accidents that can be caused due to worn-out tires, especially during harsh weather conditions. 

Read on to learn when to replace your vehicle’s tires and what maintenance steps you can take to make tires last longer.

When Should Tires Be Replaced?

The best time to replace tires is before a worn or damaged tire causes you to hydroplane, skid into an accident, or have a blowout on a busy highway. Inspect your tires monthly and plan to visit your local auto dealership service department or tire retailer before a severe mishap.

Tires give clues that the end of their useful life is approaching. Some evidence may indicate safety problems requiring immediate attention. Drivers should also watch for telltale signs of potential issues from wear and aging.

You should read: 5 Common Preventative Maintenance Mistakes You May be Making with Your Fleet

Excessive Tread Wear

Properly maintained tires for the average driver can last for tens of thousands of miles. While drivers can expect the loss of tread, premature or irregular tread wear can weaken a tire and become a safety hazard. Unusual or significant tread loss may be a reason to replace a tire. Improper inflation can cause irregular tread wear, but it might be from another issue with the automobile.

• Alignment. Noticeable inner edge wear or outer edge wear may indicate the wheels are not aligned correctly.
• Over inflation. Excessive center tread wear can be a sign the tires are overinflated.
• Under inflation. Underinflated tires can cause the tread edges to wear more than the center.

Measure Low Tread Depth With Penny Test

Tire tread prevents your car from sliding, skidding, and slipping on wet pavement. The United States Department of Transportation recommends replacing tires when the tread wears down to 2/32 of an inch.

Special gauges that measure tread depth are available at auto parts stores. The “penny test” is another easy, quick, and inexpensive method to check the amount of remaining tire tread. Place a Lincoln penny head-first in the tread ribs of the tire. If the tread conceals Lincoln’s head, then you have at least 2/32 of an inch of tread remaining. If his entire head sticks out above the tread, it’s a signal to replace your tires immediately.

You can use the test with Abe’s noggin in addition to the built-in “tread wear indicators” on tires. These raised sections of rubber run between the tire’s tread ribs. It’s time for tire replacement when the tread wears down to be level with the tread indicator.

Tire Damage

Regular inspection of your tires might identify areas of damage. Cuts, scrapes, cracks, and bulges in the sidewall can affect the physical integrity of the tire. If you find damage to your tire, take it to a qualified technician for an evaluation.

Damage can happen from road conditions such as running over potholes and speed bumps or rubbing against curbs when parking.

Other situations can contribute to tire damages:

• Dry rot from lack of use
• Speeding
• Rapid acceleration
• Hard braking
• Hard turns
• Failure to investigate changes in performance or vibration

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Nighttime driving presents obstacles and risks that you do not have to deal with during the day, such as shorter days and compromised night vision. In addition, the everyday risks become a little more dangerous under the cover of darkness.

The major threats when driving trucks at night

The eyes, in general, are terrible at seeing at night with depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to distinguish color diminished.

Because your vision accounts for nearly 90% of your reaction while driving, nighttime driving dramatically decreases your ability to effectively respond to potential hazards on the road.

Factors that made nighttime driving dangerous

• Reduced visibility: At night, we no longer have natural light to help us see road signs, other drivers, pedestrians, debris in the road, animals, and other obstacles. It also makes it more difficult to judge the distance between your car/truck and another car/truck.

Driving at night means relying on headlights and streetlights, which don’t provide the same visibility that natural light does. In addition, many of our rural roads do not have any streetlights and at times load shedding will add to this.

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• Age factors: Unfortunately, as we age, our ability to see at night deteriorates. In addition, older drivers may have compromised vision due to cataracts and degenerative eye diseases.
• Rush hour: Any time of the year, rush hour can be a dangerous driving time. As the days get shorter and darkness comes earlier, the drive time becomes more dangerous especially when driving in stop-and-go or bumper-to-bumper traffic.
• Driving under the influence: Impaired drivers are more likely to be on the road after dark, between the hours of midnight to 3 a.m. on weekends. There is a higher risk of sharing the road with an impaired driver at night as people leave restaurants and bars.
• Construction activity: Often, road construction happens in the evening hours. With poor light and other factors, it can be difficult to see construction work zones, and you can get blinded by the bright work lights being used
• Potholes: Even though national roads are usually well maintained, especially on the secondary or rural roads lack of road maintenance and the increased number of potholes have become a major threat to the safety of truck drivers.

Safe driving techniques and safety tips when driving at night

• Make sure your headlights and brake lights are in proper working order.
• Aim your headlights correctly and make sure they are clean.
• Turn your headlights on about an hour before the sun goes down. This makes it easier for other drivers to see you at dusk.
• Be careful using your high beams. You do not want to blind other drivers.
• Dim your dashboard lights. Lights in the car can sometimes cause a nighttime glare on your windshield.
• Driver slower. Driving too fast reduces your ability to react to whatever might be in the road.
• Allow for more space between you and the car or truck ahead of you.
• You can avoid nighttime glare by focusing your eyes on the right side of the road near the white lines, using the day-night feature on your rearview mirror and keeping your windshield clean.
• Take breaks to break up long drives.
• Avoid drivers who are swerving or drifting.
• Know when to pull over to a safe rest area to get some sleep or take a nap.

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For those in warmer climates, you don’t need to worry about prepping your truck for the winter months. But for those in cold-weather states, you know that prepping your truck for the winter road is not only crucial but literally life-saving.

So even if you’ve lived through many winters, consider the following tips to remind yourself how you can stay safe on the road and keep your truck in good condition this winter.

You should read: 9 Ways to Save Money on the Road

Make sure your truck bed is secure

Roads are slippery enough in winter. The last thing you want is dangerous debris flying around. In fact, two-thirds of the 200,000 vehicle crashes that occurred over the course of a four-year AAA study were caused by improperly secured truck cargo. Pickup truck tie downs can help keep your load secure.

Prepare an emergency kit

Emergencies happen when you least expect them, which is why it’s best to be prepared. Keep an emergency kit with a blanket, extra gloves, and other materials like a bag of abrasive material on hand (sand or cat litter can help create traction in the snow).

Switch over to snow tires

Not every car needs snow tires, but if you live in an area that’s known for getting more than an inch of snow it may be a good idea to give yourself some extra traction on the road.

Check your 4WD system

Four-wheel drive can come in handy during the winter months. If you have 4WD, make sure that it’s working correctly (especially if you don’t use it during the winter months). The system ought to engage and disengage easily.

Know what to do if you get stranded

If you get stranded somewhere you don’t know, don’t get out of your truck to walk. Hypothermia can hit fast when you’re outside. Instead, light two road flares on either side of your truck to let passing people know you require help. Keep the window open a crack and turn on the engine for 10 minutes each hour you’re waiting for help.

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Continual maintenance of your fleet plays a vital role in ensuring optimal operating conditions for your equipment. While many fleet owners recognize the importance of maintenance, some aspects still get overlooked.

Putting off an oil change one day or forgetting to check the service light may not seem detrimental at the moment, but avoiding maintenance can lead to further damages in the long run and may even affect the uptime of your company.

MAINTENANCE ERRORS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

Truck preventive maintenance mistakes are often not intentional but can hurt your fleet in more ways than one. Here’s what you need to know about common truck maintenance problems and how to avoid them.

NO STANDARDS FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS

Many fleet owners have set standard intervals for maintenance programs, but not everyone sticks to the schedule. Fleets used 24/7 require preventive maintenance, but when you put off a brake check or oil change, more damage will occur.

If your machines go too long without being checked, your repair costs can also increase and hurt your fleet in the long run. Neglecting routine maintenance can lead to severe problems. To avoid future issues, get your equipment inspected at scheduled times with no excuses.

LOOKING AT YOUR FLEET AS THE SAME EQUIPMENT

Fleets have several different pieces of machinery, ranging from bulldozers and forklifts to tractors and skid loaders. However, if you look your fleet thinking everything has the same problems, you’re doing it wrong. Different vehicles require different interval maintenance schedules. By treating and maintaining each piece of individual equipment, you can avoid this one common truck maintenance problem.

You should read: Tips to Give Good Use and Maintenance to Your Truck

NOT CAPTURING DATA FROM INSPECTIONS

Fleet owners often don’t take into account the information they get after inspection. When you don’t capture the right data, you miss out on valuable insights to problems across different makes and models in your fleet. You can use the data to determine which systems are failing can develop a game plan on how to address specific issues.

NOT TRAINING YOUR DRIVERS

Truck preventive maintenance problems can arise when your drivers don’t understand the difference between fault codes that need attention or don’t. When a warning light appears on their dash, a driver should take note and have the problem resolved. While some lights indicate a faulty sensor, workers should know when to take action and when to hold off on going to the maintenance shop. If they neglect the wrong lights, it can lead to serious damage.

LOOKING AT YOUR FLEET AS TOOLS INSTEAD OF ASSETS

Another truck maintenance mistake is seeing your entire fleet as a tool instead of an asset making you money. If you use equipment too hard and don’t maintain your trucks, they can fail, break down and cost you money. If you take care of your equipment, it will result in well-maintained trucks for increased production.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO PREVENT ISSUES

The purpose of a scheduled maintenance program is to have your fleet experience zero breakdowns. Inspections now and no failures later mean the schedules pay for themselves. Mechanics can prioritize and determine what needs fixing right away. The goal is to get your fleet on a maintenance program to keep equipment operating safely and to avoid interruptions.

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Preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your fleet of trucks running reliably and reduce the risk of breakdown. Here are the top ten preventative maintenance tips that we suggest all trucking businesses follow:

You may also be interested in the following article: 3 Reasons Why Fleet Maintenance Is Important

1. CHECK FLUID LEVELS:

Verifying your engine oil, coolant, transmission, brake, power steering and other underhood fluids only takes a few minutes and is an easy way to avoid major problems. If you see a drop in a fluid level between checks, it’s a good indication that you have a consumption or leak issue and can fix it before it becomes a major problem.

2. CHANGE FLUIDS:

The frequency for changing your fluids will depend on how many miles you drive, the weight of the loads you carry and the type of driving you do (highway, dusty roads, city traffic, etc.) Always follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for changing fluids. Trying to get extra life out of your fluids may save in the short term but cost you big in repairs and breakdowns later on.

3. VERIFY TIRE PRESSURES:

Any trucker will tell you that tire pressure is critical to check often on your large truck or tractor-trailer. Your tires are your contact with the road and you want them inflated properly to avoid uneven wear, maximize fuel economy and provide optimum traction, braking and load-carrying ability at all times.

4. CHECK YOUR TIRES:

Uneven tire wear can be related to tire pressure issues or difficulties with your alignment or suspension. Include a check of your tire condition and tread depth as part of your preventative maintenance plan. We all know how dangerous a tire blowout can be on the highway, so avoid the cost, delay, and danger of a blowout by inspecting your tires frequently.

5. INSPECT YOUR BRAKES:

When you’re carrying a full load, you want to be sure you can get stopped safely. Frequently check your brakes and replace them when they reach the minimum wear condition. Also look for even wear side to side and front to back. This can be a sign that your brake system isn’t balanced and requires repairs or adjustment to provide correct braking performance.

6. CHECK AIR FILTERS:

A clean air filter can go a long way toward reducing your fuel consumption and helping your engine run more smoothly. As a filter gets clogged, it can reduce the amount of air getting into your engine, reducing power and lowering fuel economy. Inspect and change your air filter at regular intervals and check more often if you often drive on dirty, dusty roads.

7. DO A BATTERY LOAD TEST AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM VERIFICATION:

Long-distance driving and frequent stops and starts put your truck’s electrical system to the test. It is a good idea to add your battery, alternator and electrical system to your preventative maintenance list for a yearly check. If you operate in colder climates, a check before winter is the best way to avoid charging problems.

8. INSPECT YOUR GEARBOX AND CLUTCH:

The combination of high-torque engines and heavy loads mean your gearbox and clutch are worked hard every time you hit the road. A regular inspection of your gearbox and verification that it is functioning properly can help you catch issues as they arise. You will also want to ensure that your clutch isn’t slipping, as this can affect reliability and fuel economy.

9. CHECK OUT YOUR EXTERIOR LIGHTING:

A quick walk-around verification of your exterior lighting helps you catch burnt out bulbs and replace them before you hit the road. Avoid being pulled over and wasting time over a burnt bulb and check that all of your running, brake, signal, and hazard lights are working properly as part of your preventative maintenance.

10. SERVICE YOUR FIFTH WHEEL PLATFORM:

Problems with your fifth wheel platform can slow you down and even keep your truck off the road if you can’t securely hook up your trailer. On a regular basis, you should inspect your platform and grease/adjust as necessary. Clean any accumulated dirt from the platform mechanism and inspect for excessive wear or components that need to be replaced.

Every trucking company has a unique fleet of trucks and trailers and needs to adapt their preventative maintenance list to suit their situation. Including these ten tips in your list will help ensure your trucks run more reliably and are less susceptible to breakdown.

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How do you know whether your truck needs some new tires or if it’s time to turn in your keys and get behind the wheel of a newer, safer vehicle?  If you’re unsure about the safety of your truck, here are a few signs it’s time to buy yourself a new vehicle for the holidays.  

You keep making repairs

One of the most common (and the most expensive) signs it’s time to buy yourself a new truck is that you keep having to shell out cash to get repairs. 

Of course, getting a new truck isn’t exactly cheap. But, if you’re spending hundreds, or thousands, of dollars on repairs every few months (or even every year), it may be an investment worth looking into.  

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You don’t feel safe behind the wheel

When you strap your snow tires onto your truck, install some new windshield wipers, and make sure your truck has enough antifreeze in its system, you ought to feel safe and secure in your truck. 

Another sign it’s time to get a new truck is when that isn’t the case. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with a car and every vehicle will have its problems at some point during its run on the road.

Yet, if you know something is bound to go wrong, and you’re dreading dealing with it on the road, it’s time to give your truck a rest and invest in a safer model.  

Don’t forget the retractable truck anchors

Whether you get a new truck or you have your old one repaired to keep running for another season, it’s crucial to keep your load secure while you’re on the road this winter. According to an AAA study, up to 200,000 car accidents over a four-year period were caused by unsecured debris. 

Retractable truck anchors help to keep your load safe and secure whether you’re on the highway or back-country roads.

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