Maintain Your Truck Engine

You expect the trucks in your fleet to operate well every day. Your business depends on it. It immediately affects your operations when problems occur and a truck goes offline for repair.

At Ferguson Truck Repair Center, we are a team of trucking experts who love keeping trucks up and running. We will make sure your fleet is operating at top performance.

Fleet trucks are two or more vehicles used by a business or agency that are integral to daily operational activity. Whether it consists of a few small trucks or it’s a large enterprise consisting of numerous vehicles, your truck fleet is a major asset.

You’ve put a lot of money into each of these vehicles. New semi-trucks, for example, can cost well over $100,000. The price can easily exceed $200,000 for high-end vehicles. In addition to that, there are fuel costs, which are now much higher than a few years ago. The impact of these costs on the bottom line can be especially acute for smaller businesses.

In return for your investment, you expect your fleet to perform for the business. Along the way, you want to minimize truck downtime and any costly repairs that may be involved. Knowing how to avoid costly downtime is essential for profitability.

The engine is the heart and soul of every truck in your fleet. In order for each vehicle to operate at peak efficiency, its engine must be functioning optimally.

There are several signs to watch for that may indicate your engine is not running at peak performance. These include unusual or foul-smelling odors coming from the engine, a noticeable decrease in on-the-road engine performance and unusual loud or knocking sounds emanating from the engine.

Of course, do not ignore any ‘check engine” light that suddenly becomes illuminated. It doesn’t necessarily indicate a major problem with the engine. In some cases, however, it is the first indication of a needed repair.

• Tires and Tire Tread
• Under-Vehicle Inspection
• Oil and Fluid Change
• Lights and Bulbs
• Brake Condition

Your fleet trucks need two types of inspection: Mandated government inspections and personal daily inspection of trucks and their engines by the driver or fleet manager.

Government agencies require inspections of commercial fleet vehicles. If a vehicle doesn’t reach certain standards of operation, your business may have to pay expensive fines. In addition, the vehicle could be removed from operation until required maintenance is completed.

Don’t operate your trucks without having up-to-date inspections. Mandated inspections cover the following items:

• Lights and Horns
• Windshields, Wipers and Visibility
• Brake System
• Exhaust System
• Cab Safety Equipment
• Steering System and Steering Wheel

Of course, daily inspections by the driver or fleet manager are also important for overall safety and business efficiency. Make sure that each truck has a maintenance log and that it is kept up-to-date.