A Guide to Maintain Your Semi Truck

Preventive maintenance of your semi-truck helps keep your rig performing smoothly and safely. That’s why you must make sure you are always on top of your rig’s maintenance schedule.

As your local truck dealer, we at Carolina International Trucks know a thing or two about servicing your semi-truck. That’s why we have created this guide to highlight the critical tasks you’ll need to perform on your model. Read on to learn more, and for more information, come down to our dealership near you. We happily serve our customers throughout South Carolina.

Check Your Braking System

Your brakes help control your vehicle’s speed on the road and prevent you from being in a collision. That’s why you’ll want to make sure that your braking system is in good working condition.

Keep an ear out for any squealing sounds or vibrations while braking and replace a faulty part as soon as possible. Also, check your brake fluid and change it if it appears cloudy.

Check the Radiator

Next, you’ll want to check the radiator to see it has sufficient fluid to prevent your semi-truck from overheating. If it appears low, you’ll want to top it off. However, if you spot any leaks, schedule a visit to a service department to get the issue addressed by a trained mechanic.

Maintain Your Tires

Generally speaking, tires absorb road shocks and help maintain traction on the road. That’s why you must tune them up regularly.

Read your owner’s manual for your manufacturer’s recommendation of the air pressure your tires must have and inflate them accordingly. Also, use a tire pressure gauge to make sure the PSI levels match those in the manual. As different PSI levels work for different models, you’ll want to ensure you know the specific level for your tire.

Check the Fuel Vent

Another critical aspect of maintaining your semi-truck, especially if it has sat unused for over a period, is that you will want to ensure there aren't any pests in your fuel vent. Vermins can create a home inside your fuel vent and cause your machine to display inaccurate fuel readings.  This can lead to performance problems and other issues that can affect your truck driving experience.

Seek Professional Assistance

If you encounter an issue with your semi-truck that’s too complex for you to handle, you’ll want to leave it to the professionals. They have the tools and necessary experience to tackle complicated tasks, and they can tune up your rig for you. Refer to your owner’s manual to figure out what tasks need to be handled by a professional and how often.

We hope this guide helps you maintain your semi-truck like a pro. For more maintenance advice or help servicing your rig, connect with our knowledgeable team. We can inspect your semi-truck, suggest appropriate fixes, and replace any faulty parts for you. We are at multiple locations throughout South Carolina, including Columbia, so reach out today.