Forest Park

(404) 366-8044

5884 Frontage Road, Forest Park, GA

Get Directions

Jefferson

(706) 367-8998

1755 Dry Pond Rd, Jefferson, GA

Get Directions

Norcross

(770) 449-5300

6535 Crescent Drive, Norcross, GA

Get Directions

McDonough

(678) 583-8800

100 Sterling Place, McDonough, GA

Get Directions

Austell

(404) 344-1189

450 Lee Industrial Blvd, Austell, GA

Get Directions

Byron

(478) 956-1000

137 Peachtree Parkway, Byron, GA

Get Directions

SelecTrucks of Atlanta

(800) 999-2512

333 Industrial Blvd, McDonough, GA

Get Directions

SelecTrucks of Georgia

(706) 591-7024

1755 Dry Pond Rd, Jefferson, GA

Get Directions

Commercial Vehicle Parts Center

(770) 449-5300

6814 Best Friend Road, Doraville, GA

Get Directions

Specialty Vehicles

(404) 362-9385

5814 Frontage Rd, Forest Park, GA

Get Directions

SelecTrucks of Alabama

(205) 322-6695

401 Daniel Payne Dr, Birmingham, AL

Get Directions

Birmingham

(205) 322-6695

401 Daniel Payne Dr, Birmingham, AL

Get Directions

Tuscaloosa

(205) 759-8782

5404 Reese Phifer Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL

Get Directions

Harpersville

(205) 421-2020

3130 Hwy 280, Harpersville, AL

Get Directions

Cartersville

678-695-4920

543 Old Grassdale Rd., Cartersville, GA

Get Directions

Villa Rica

Corner of Edge Rd. & Liberty Rd., Villa Rica, GA

11/16/22

The Basics of Semi-Truck Maintenance

The key to keeping your semi-truck on the road longer with less costly emergency repairs is a structured semi-truck maintenance plan.

Parts & Service

The Basics of Semi-Truck Maintenance

When you become an owner operator running your own truck, you need to actively protect your investment with preventative maintenance and consider used truck OEM warranty protection. One repair can put you out of business. The primary way to keep your semi-truck reliable is with preventative maintenance. Unexpected repairs are costly, inconvenient, and could even impact your ability to make money. The key to keeping your semi-truck on the road longer with less costly emergency repairs is a structured semi-truck maintenance plan. Here are the basics of semi-truck maintenance to get you started.

FMCSA'S Required Maintenance Records

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes specific requirements on semi-trucks to ensure road safety and the proper functioning of vehicles.

  • The owner's name is a critical identifier for recordkeeping purposes.
  • Detailing such as the make, model, and year of the semi-truck, along with it's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), are essential for accurate tracking and compliance.
  • Tire size specifications play a vital role in maintaining optimal vehicle performance and safety.
  • Each semi-truck is assigned a unique fleet number, aiding in efficient management within a larger commercial fleet.

Comprehensive records of both current and past maintenance schedules are crucial to demonstrate adherence to FMCSA regulations and to ensure that the truck is in a well-maintained and roadworthy condition. 

How do you maintain a semi-truck?

Maintaining a semi-truck starts with a daily, pre-trip, inspection of the engine oil and coolant level. You want to look for evidence of any leaks around the engine and underneath the truck, visually check the tires on the truck and trailer, check all lights for proper operation, and perform a good visual inspection of the overall condition of the truck and trailer.

How often do semi-trucks need maintenance?

On average, the suggested range to receive basic service is every 10,000 – 20,000 miles. This service would consist of engine oil and filter change, fuel filter change, checking the air filter, and topping off the lubricate levels in the other major components. A thorough visual inspection would also be performed at this time. It is required to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for these services to comply with any warranty that may apply to the truck and its systems.

Seasonal Maintenance 

Warm Weather

  • Air conditioning: Inspect for leaks or debris buildup.
  • Coolant: Perform an annual system maintenance routine involving draining, flushing, and pressure testing.
  • Electrical system: Examine the battery for corrosion and ensure wire connections are secure. 
  • Tire pressure: Prevent the influence of warm air on tire pressure by regular monitoring. 

Cold Weather 

  • Windshield: Inspect for chips and cracks; clean wiper blades and ensure they are free from dry rot; confirm proper functioning of defrosters. 
  • Braking system: Prior to driving, verify the functionality of ABS; pay attention to potential overnight freezing of drum brakes. 
  • Fluids: Perform daily checks on essential fluids such as engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and wiper fluid.
  • Tire tread: Maintain minimum tread depth of 4/32 of an inch for steer tires and 2/32 of an inch for all other tires. 

What is preventive maintenance on a semi-truck?

Preventive maintenance (PM) is regular, planned maintenance that is scheduled according to usage or mileage-based requirements. The purpose of PM is to lessen the likelihood of equipment breakdowns.

How much does semi-truck maintenance cost?

On average the annual cost to maintain a semi-truck is $15,000.00. Studies show that this cost increased 3-5% in 2021.

Semi-truck maintenance is essential for making sure your truck is reliable, keeping your truck on the road longer, and avoiding costly repairs. Learn more about Peach State’s Parts Department and Peach State’s Elite Support Truck Service and how we can help keep you on the road with leading commercial & freightliner truck parts.

Tell Us More About the Type of Service You Need
Previous Story

I am PSTC - Kenneth Williams

Next Story

I am PSTC - James Tucker

DIESEL VS. ELECTRIC BUS

Cost Comparison

mi

Fields Are Editable

Modify the values in this tool to see what savings you could achieve by integrating electric school buses into your fleet. Close
/yr
MPG
$
$
buses
kWh
kWh
mi
Electric Energy Savings
1 Bus
Cost Annually
Cost Daily
Diesel
Electric Energy
Cost daily diesel bus
Cost daily electric bus
Cost annually diesel bus
Cost annually electric bus
Cost daily diesel buses
Cost daily electric buses
Cost annually diesel buses
Cost annually electric buses
Annual Savings
Annual Savings