Every trucker knows just how important it is to keep the big diesels up and running at full capacity. These vehicles are the backbone of Canada’s and America’s trucking industry and are a critical part of business and transportation. Keeping up the big rigs can be a bit of a challenge considering how many little things can go wrong, but it is critical to know how to tackle basic maintenance to keep these diesel trucks in as good a working shape as possible. Staying on the road only works if you are staying safely on the road!
What Are the Most Common Maintenance Issues?
According to an article on TruckingInfo.com, there are three major maintenance issues that frequently come up in regards to the engine. These can be a bit more difficult to deal with on a purely maintenance basis, but it’s important for drivers to understand what these issues are so that truckers know how to recognize them before they become huge problems.
These three commonly reported engine problems are:
- Electronic control module calibration (23% rate of occurrence)
- Exhaust gas recirculation valves (20% rate of occurrence)
- Electronic engine sensors (16% rate of occurrence)
What Can Be Done?
The most important step that can be taken to help make sure the big diesel engines keep on running as smoothly as possible is to make sure to get regularly schedule maintenance and checkups with a certified diesel mechanic who knows what to look for, how to spot the earliest possible signs of an issue, and who can help take care of it before a small issue becomes a huge problem.
Beware of the Seasonal Changes
There’s no question that certain problems can be exacerbated depending on the weather and the climate. If you’re doing a lot of driving through desert areas in the sweltering heat of summer or else going through extreme cold in the Pacific Northwest in winter or even through Alaska, make sure to take all precautions necessary to keep your rig from overheating or locking up from cold.
This can be an arduous process in extreme temperatures but that just makes it all the more necessary to keep you on the road and to keep you trucking. Remember that maintenance is critical to prevent serious lock-ups and breakdowns further down the road, so never skimp on the preparation to keep your vehicles on the road where they belong.