Are you ready to become a truck driver and want to know more about the maintenance skills you will need to learn about? At OBC, the Truck Driving program teaches you how to drive a commercial vehicle as well as how to maintain that vehicle. You will participate in systematic inspections before and after a load is transported, regular maintenance for fluids, brakes, and other critical equipment, and crisis maintenance when you are on the side of the road and need a helping hand.

What is a Truck Maintenance Inspection?

A truck maintenance inspection is a checklist that truck drivers or mechanics use to inspect a truck and ensure it’s reliable on the road. The checklist allows the transportation business to schedule maintenance and repairs before the truck driver starts a route to avoid breakdowns. It is also important for truck drivers to be safe while driving a big rig.

What Maintenance Skills are Taught in OBC’s Truck Driving Program?

Many maintenance skills are taught. Some of the following skills include:

Preventative Maintenance

• Change Oil
• Change Filter
• Tighten Components
• Tune Engine
• Check Breaks
• Rotate Tires
• Check Lubrication
• Check Radiator
• Replace Windshield Wipers
• Inspect Horn
• Spare Tire Check
• Update Truck Software

Ongoing Maintenance

• Replace light bulbs
• Replace Springs
• Retune Gauges
• Replace Window
• Check Engine and Transmission
• Replace Battery

Different Weather Means Different Maintenance Skills

Depending on the weather, a truck driver may need to add maintenance skills to the list. These additional skills include

Dry Weather

During dry weather conditions, a truck driver must inspect for fluid leaks, coolant levels, battery charge, brake and steering integrity, tires and wheels inspection, and inspect the exhaust system.

Wet Weather

Wet weather can affect the truck in different ways. The truck driver must inspect wiper blades, engine cleanliness, brake wear, tire tread, and electrical systems.

Hot Weather

During hot weather, different maintenance skills come in handy. It is essential to ensure coolant levels are full and that the coolant is replaced regularly. Air can slowly leak out of the tires during hot weather, so checking tire pressure is critical. Of course, the air conditioning needs to work to keep the truck driver cool. The truck driver must also make sure that the battery is working properly so they don’t lose power during hot weather.

Cold Weather

Cold weather conditions can make truck driving challenging. Engine oil can thicken, coolant can freeze, batteries can lose power and may need to be charged, and brake fluid can freeze.

Why are Maintenance Skills Important for Truck Drivers?

Maintenance skills are essential for truck drivers for many reasons. The most common include:

Safety – keeping the truck driver and others on the road safe is the top priority. Keeping maintenance schedules and repairing the truck promptly makes everyone on the road safer.

Productivity – a truck driver must be productive, which can’t happen when the truck breaks down. Maintenance is essential to avoid downtime.

Compliance – legal guidelines state that maintenance must be kept on schedule for commercial vehicles. To stay compliant, a truck driver must ensure that lights are working correctly, tires are not too worn, and everything is safe for the other drivers on the road.

Cost Savings – doing less expensive preventative maintenance now can prevent costly repairs later. It is important for the truck driver to make small adjustments, so the engine and other parts of the truck get their maximum amount of usage.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know more about truck driver maintenance, it is time to learn about OBC’s Truck Driving Academy. Our Class A CDL Truck Driving school, offered at our Dayton, Ohio campus, combines applied textbook knowledge with valuable time behind the wheel to ensure you’re ready to drive America’s roadways. Plus, this program can be completed in as little as 4 weeks (classes during the week), or 8 weeks (classes during the weekends). With the demand for truck drivers increasing, now is the time to contact OBC and become a commercial vehicle operator today.

Want to Learn More?

If you are ready to take to the open road, hauling inventory across the state of Ohio and potentially the rest of the United States, our CDL certificate program at Ohio Business College’s Truck Driving Academy is the perfect place to start. With classes in Dayton, our Truck Driving Academy offers one of the most respected Class A CDL certificate programs in the Tri-State region.

 

If you are interested in a truck driving position, let OBC answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to learn more about our Truck Driving programs.