If you own, operate or drive a heavy vehicle, you already understand the importance of heavy vehicle maintenance and repair. Keeping your trucks and other heavy vehicles in safe working order is a legal requirement and significantly benefits owners. The obvious benefits include reducing downtime and avoiding costly future repairs, but there’s more to it than just saving money. Let’s look at everything you need to know about heavy vehicle inspection and why a regular heavy vehicle maintenance schedule is crucial to your operations.
Using a heavy vehicle maintenance checklist
One of the easiest ways to keep track of your vehicle’s health is by using a comprehensive heavy vehicle maintenance checklist. This checklist provides a guide to ensure all critical areas of the vehicle are assessed and serviced regularly. You know your truck better than most, and all checklists should be personalised to suit your needs. Some of the factors you may wish to include are:
- Engine oil and filter changes
- Tyre inspection and pressure checks
- Brake system examination
- Fluid level checks (coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid)
- Steering and suspension system inspection
- Lights and electrical system checks
- Body and chassis examination for rust or damage
Scheduling heavy vehicle maintenance schedule
While having a checklist is essential, you still need to regularly service your vehicle to ensure it is always in good working order. Regular checks help identify minor issues before they become major problems, potentially saving you thousands of costly repairs.
Typically, a maintenance schedule is customised for your specific vehicle. Manufacturers often provide guidelines for regular service points throughout the truck’s life. For example, some smaller checks and parts replacements should be done every 5,000 to 10,000 km. More intensive servicing may occur at longer intervals, including brake checks and replacing vital fluids. If you’re unsure how to plan a heavy vehicle maintenance schedule, contact the team at Beachwheels Automotive to discuss your ongoing needs.
Why are heavy vehicle inspections so important?
Heavy vehicle inspections are an integral part of vehicle maintenance, and there’s a direct link between these inspections and your vehicle’s lifespan. Conducting regular inspections helps to identify potential issues before they become more problematic. Most minor issues can be addressed quickly and inexpensively if you catch them early. However, leaving them unchecked can lead to more costly problems and even severe safety risks.
As a truck owner or driver, you have a responsibility not just to yourself and your drivers but also other road users. Identifying safety issues is significant in all heavy vehicle maintenance and repair. Recognising potential problems allows you to get them fixed quickly, maintaining your vehicle’s safety and protecting everybody on the roads. In addition, the operator of an unsafe or unroadworthy heavy vehicle can be issued hefty fines throughout Australia, which is something everybody wants to avoid.
Choosing a qualified heavy vehicle maintenance and repair service
When you’re looking for a reliable, trustworthy mechanical team to handle your heavy vehicles, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, knowledge of heavy vehicles is paramount. Not all mechanics have experience working with trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles and may not be qualified to work on yours. Trucks are inherently more complex than cars, so you need heavy vehicle specialists.
Secondly, you should always look for social proof when choosing any service provider. This means checking online for ratings and reviews, and even seeking suggestions from trusted colleagues on social media platforms.
Finally, don’t forget about the customer service side of things. For example, is your chosen mechanic willing to assist with a heavy vehicle maintenance schedule? Do they take the time to understand your needs? Ideally, you want a relationship with your mechanic that feels more like a partnership.
Investing in preventative maintenance
As we’ve learned, there are significant benefits to regular heavy vehicle servicing. You improve the vehicle’s performance and efficiency, ensure optimum safety, and remain compliant with state and federal regulations. But perhaps the most crucial factor is preventative maintenance.
We touched on this earlier, but preventative maintenance means catching minor issues before they escalate. A qualified truck mechanic identifies potential problems early – sometimes even before they arise. This lets you cost-effectively fix the problem and also ensures other components aren’t damaged. The cost of heavy vehicle servicing is minimal compared to the expense of replacing expensive parts or undergoing extensive repairs later.
Need reliable heavy vehicle maintenance and repair?
Beachwheels Automotive is your trusted partner for heavy vehicle maintenance and repair. With a team of skilled mechanics, our complete service offering caters to your vehicle’s unique needs. To experience less downtime, improved driver comfort and better vehicle performance, book your first heavy vehicle inspection as soon as possible. For more information on how we can help extend the lifespan of your heavy vehicles through routine maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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