Mechanical failure is one of the biggest threats to a career in trucking. In addition to being expensive to take time off the road, a breakdown mid-trip can also be dangerous. When your car is having a breakdown, it is because it is not operating as it should. Understanding technical faults and how to avoid them is essential for driving safely. There are many different things that might go wrong with a truck when it's operating, but the experts have listed some of the most typical mechanical problems and some advice to avoid future breakdowns.
A semi-truck breakdown could occur for a variety of reasons. Some factors, such as a truck's engine stalling in cold weather, are out of a truck driver's control. Other typical reasons for semi-truck breakdowns, including a flat tire or semi-truck oil leak, can be readily avoided.
What is the semi-truck injector replacement cost? Whatever the reason for the breakdown, roadside repair services can be costly and time-consuming. They can ruin an entire journey or result in a driver losing a lot of cargo. However, with outstanding preventive maintenance that is both time and money-effective, drivers can actively avoid breakdowns following the expert's recommendation. The professional's recommendations also help drivers to know how to troubleshoot when a breakdown does occur.
Following the rules, getting your truck inspected routinely, and maintaining your truck to standards are requirements if you own or operate a semi-truck or other large truck. The Pre-Trip Inspection (PTI), the Mandatory Periodic Mechanical Inspection (MPMI), and the Preventive Maintenance Program (PMP) are all required inspections and programs.
Even with regular maintenance, mechanical issues like breakdowns are prevalent on the road. Don't freak out if your large rig breaks down right now! Put the safety of you and other road users first, and with the assistance of the recommendations, determine the nature of the issue.
You're probably aware of the proverb, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." When it comes to trucking, the adage is entirely true.
Maintenance that is preventative is your "ounce of prevention." Creating and following a maintenance schedule will help you identify minor issues and address them before they become significant, expensive issues.
The following three things make up preventative maintenance:
The necessity of preventative maintenance for the safe operation of commercial vehicles has been acknowledged by the federal government. Regulations have been put in place to address the problem and direct drivers toward performing preventative maintenance in order to save their trucks from being taken out of service due to mechanical failures.
A breakdown may be stressful, as we all know. What sort of collapse is it? How long will the repairs take?
These are likely questions that you are asking right now. Limiting dangers to both you and other road users is the most crucial thing to do first.
Step 1: Self-Protection
Get to a rest area if at all possible. Both your truck and its load are safer by doing this. From a rest area, it is simpler to fix or tow your truck. Try to stop so you don't obstruct traffic if you can't get to a rest spot. To make your truck visible to other drivers, put on a safety vest and switch on your flashers (hazard lights), dome lights, or headlights. Get out of the road and move to a safe area far from the vehicles.
Step 2: Call For Help
For your big vehicle, call 9-1-1, your neighborhood service center, or a mobile repair service.
Please be as specific as possible when describing the breakdown's symptoms, your location, the type of vehicle, and the load. To facilitate conversation, speak softly. We can complete our work more quickly and effectively with access to clear and detailed information.
Step 3: Make your Truck Visible
Making your truck as visible as you can when a breakdown occurs on the highway is essential to preventing collisions with incoming traffic. Move your truck as far away from the road as is safe to start with. In order to warn other vehicles of the situation, turn on your warning lights. This is among the most effective techniques to alert vehicles to go slowly.
Make sure your truck is loaded with flares and reflective signage. Make sure the reflective side is facing outward toward oncoming vehicles while positioning reflective triangles. One reflective triangle must be placed around 10 feet away from the vehicle facing oncoming traffic, and two more reflective triangles must be placed at distances of 10 and 100 feet, respectively, in the middle lane or shoulder where the truck is stopped. Flares increase your truck's visibility by another level for breakdowns that occur after dark.
Step 4: Keep a Toolkit on Hand
A toolkit is always kept in the cab by a well-prepared driver. Wire cutters, various-sized wrenches, screwdrivers, electrical tape, vice grips, a flashlight, zip ties, a socket set, and a first aid kit should all be packed in case of minor mechanical issues. Several tool kits for semi trucks are also available today.
Here are the top 10 common semi-truck issues, according to the experts.
1. Tire Issues
Tire difficulties are one of the most significant challenges that drivers could encounter. Truckers must pay additional attention since, unlike other motorists, they are unable to just pull over to the side of the road and change a flat tire. Tire wear and tear due to mileage may cause the tire to lose some of its air pressure. However, depending on how old your tires are, there could also be problems with the tube inside your tire, which can lose air if it is harmed by being penetrated by sharp items. Foreign items that are picked up on the highways at high speeds or in locations with a lot of debris and junk frequently cause tire damage.
The following are additional causes of tire problems or blowouts:
Always check your tire pressure and pump them before leaving to avoid problems. Look for damage, cracks, or thread wear on your tires. Use the air pressure monitoring systems on your truck or tools if they are available. Replace any worn-out tires, keep proper pressure (don't over or underinflate), and rotate your tires frequently. Pre-trip and post-trip inspections should be thorough enough to look at the tire and solve any problems.
2. Battery Issues
The effects of cold and hot weather on the semi-truck are equal. Even though most batteries are designed to last three to five years, the weather can affect how long they really survive. In the colder months, you should check your batteries more frequently because they are more likely to run out and need to be replaced. Older batteries could be more vulnerable to winter conditions because they can't handle temperature variations as well.
Check the trailer sockets and battery terminal points frequently to identify any potential battery issues. In order to determine how well your semi-truck batteries function in the winter and other cooler months, you should test them throughout these times. Additionally, you should frequently wash your car because the winter months' salt and road grime can harm your car. To protect your automobile from the outside air temperature, you could choose to utilize an engine block heater or park near warmer or heated structures.
3. Suspension Issues
Truck wear and tear can result in suspension problems. Your truck may have suspension problems if you notice shaking while driving, clicking noises, or one corner of the vehicle sitting lower than the other. The ball joints on one side are frequently the first to fail, which can make for a jarring ride and more harm to your fleet. If you feel dragged to one side while driving or if any road bumps feel more violent than they should, you may have a suspension problem, as your shock absorbers or ball joints may need to be repaired. Maintaining your suspension system is crucial since it has an impact on how your truck steers and responds to your inputs.
Always perform regular pre-trip and post-trio inspections on your truck to keep it in top condition. You should also consider diagnostic checks to help find any concerns. Make sure you invest in qualified mechanics and high-quality parts to handle any potential problems.
4. Engine Issues
Although semi-trucks are quite powerful, diesel engines are regrettably more prone to problems with time, and this is especially true if you operate an older model. You may misuse the engine since you drive for long stretches of time and distance. Potential engine problems can be detected by experiencing difficulty maintaining the same driving speeds as before and by receiving lower-than-average gas mileage. Several things, such as gasoline leaks, blown gaskets, or improper maintenance, might cause problems with your engine.
Replace your oil and air filter often to keep your engine operating smoothly. Every 20,000 to 30,000 miles, the oil should be replenished. Maintaining a clean engine and keeping an eye on your semi -truck exhaust system is important for maintaining your engine in good working order.
5. Brake Issues
Your brakes and making sure they are constantly in good working order are some of the most important safety aspects to take into account. Not only do brake issues cause failures, but they also raise the risk of injuries and accidents. Compared to a conventional car, a semi truck's high weight puts a tremendous strain on the brake system, increasing the likelihood of a breakdown. Due to the friction produced by the semi-truck overheating and the pressure of the truck, the brakes are more prone to damage.
Make sure you carry out your inspections thoroughly to verify that your brakes are operating properly. Checking your linings and hoses frequently is vital because semi trucks are more susceptible to air leaks. You should also check the air compression pressure gauge. The thickness of the linings must be at least 14 inches. Any hoses that are ruined or worn out should be changed. Before use, the pressure gauge on your truck should register more than 60 pounds per square inch (psi), and when driving, it should read between 100 and 125 psi. Always be sure to repair any worn or damaged parts on a regular basis.
6. Electrical Problems
The starting motor, alternator, and battery are all parts of the electrical system on a semi- truck. The performance of a vehicle will be impacted if one component of the electrical system isn't functioning, such as a starter motor that has failed. If any of the following symptoms appear, your truck's electrical system may be malfunctioning:
If the dashboard gauges or cab lights on your truck aren't working, check your fusebox. Flipping the fusebox switches won't always reveal the issue's cause, so your battery or alternator may be to blame. In that scenario, bring your truck in right away for a checkup so a specialist may identify and address electrical issues before more substantial repairs are required.
7. Age
In its lifetime, a semitruck can cover between 750,000 and 1,000,000 miles provided it receives exceptional maintenance and upkeep. These vehicles typically last between 10 and 15 years.
Naturally, a truck's age can have a big impact on how well it performs. However, normal wear and tear brought on by the sheer number of kilometers a truck travels might also cause an unanticipated failure. The following are typical signs of an aged diesel engine in a semi-truck:
In general, older trucks require more maintenance to avoid unneeded glitches while driving, especially if you are unfamiliar with the truck's maintenance or repair history.
8. Trailer Problems
Flatbeds, refrigeration units, tanks, and drop trailers are just a few of the different kinds of trailers that semi-trucks transport across the nation. Different trailer types are more susceptible to issues than others. The loss of goods may be substantial, for instance, if a malfunction affects a reefer unit's cooling system.
The easiest method to avoid downtime and damage to goods is to keep up with routine maintenance, properly inspect the trailer before every trip, and keep a watch on it while it's moving.
9. Problems With Cooling System
Radiator, thermostat, fan, and other cooling system elements in semi trucks cooperate to keep the engine temperature constant.
High temperatures or poor maintenance are the two main causes of semi- truck cooling system system failure. Verify the coolant level is adequate and that there are no cooling system leaks.
If neither of these seem to be in need of repair, there might be a more significant issue at hand. The true cause of the issue will be revealed through a more thorough service.
10. Water Pump Failure
In order to maintain the engine at the ideal temperature, the water pump makes sure that coolant circulates throughout it. In all types of cars, water pump failure is frequent during the hot summer months.
The best method to maintain your fleet of vehicles operating dependably and lower the chance of breakdown is through preventative maintenance. At NMC Truck Centers, we have assisted numerous customers in developing their very own unique preventative maintenance schedule that is specific to their trucks and the kinds of driving they undertake.
Here are the top preventative maintenance recommendations from our experts for all trucking companies:
1. Check Fluid Levels
It simply takes a few minutes to check the levels of your engine oil, coolant, gearbox, brake, power steering, and other under-the-hood fluids, and it can help you avoid more serious issues. It's a good sign that you have a consumption or leak issue if you see a drop in a fluid level between checks so you can address it before it gets worse.
2. Change Fluids
Your mileage, the weight of the cargo you carry, and the sort of driving you undertake (highway, desert roads, city traffic, etc.) will all affect how frequently you should change your fluids. Always change fluids according to the manufacturer's recommendations. In the short term, trying to extend the life of your fluids may save you money, but in the long run, it will cost you a lot in repairs and breakdowns.
3. Verify Tire Pressures
Any trucker will tell you that it's important to regularly check the tire pressure on your huge truck or tractor-trailer. Your tires are your point of contact with the road, so you want to keep them properly inflated to prevent uneven wear, increase fuel efficiency, and always give the best traction, braking, and load-carrying capacity.
4. Check Your Tires
Issues with tire pressure, alignment, or suspension can all contribute to uneven tire wear. As part of your preventative maintenance schedule, examine the tread depth and tire condition. We are all aware of how dangerous a semi-truck tire blowout on the road can be, so check your tires frequently to minimize the expense, inconvenience, and danger of a blowout.
5. Inspect Your Brakes
You want to be sure you can stop safely when you're carrying a large load. Check your brakes frequently, and replace them when they are at the minimal wear level. Observe for even wear from front to back and from side to side. This may indicate that your semi truck brake drum needs to be adjusted or repaired in order to offer proper braking performance.
6. Check Air Filters
Your fuel consumption can be significantly decreased, and your engine's performance can be much improved with a clean air filter. When a filter becomes clogged, less air can enter your engine, which lowers power and fuel efficiency. If you often travel on soiled, sandy roads, check and replace your air filter more frequently.
7. Conduct An Electrical System Verification And Battery Load Test
Your truck's electrical system will be put to the test by long trips and many stops and starts. Add your battery, alternator, and electrical system to your list of annual preventative maintenance items. The simplest method to prevent charging issues is to check before winter if you operate in colder climates.
8. Inspect Your Gearbox And Clutch
High-torque engines and heavy loads put a lot of strain on your gearbox and clutch each time you drive. You can prevent problems from developing by regularly inspecting your gearbox and making sure it is operating properly. Additionally, you should check to see if your clutch is slipping since this can reduce reliability and fuel efficiency.
9. Check Out Your Exterior Lighting
Before you leave, a simple walk-around inspection of your outdoor lights enables you to identify any burned-out bulbs and replace them. As part of your preventative maintenance, make sure that all of your running, braking, signal, and warning lights are functioning correctly to avoid being stopped and losing time because of a burned-out bulb.
10. Service Your Fifth Semi-Truck Wheel Ends Platform
If you can't safely connect your trailer, issues with your fifth-wheel platform could cause you to travel more slowly or even keep your vehicle off the road. You should regularly check your platform and lubricate or modify it as necessary. Clean off any collected dirt from the platform mechanism and look for any parts that need to be changed or wear out too quickly.
Regardless of your level of caution, a breakdown may be messy, so preventative maintenance is essential. Follow the expert's tips to avoid semi-truck breakdowns.
We took this video from ET Transport YouTube Channel.
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