Your Truck Inspection Guide

Road safety is paramount when you’re a fleet manager or an independent driver. A big part of safety is making sure that your truck is in good working order before every journey. That’s where a thorough pre-trip inspection comes into play. Inspecting your truck in advance of heading out will allow you to spot any mechanical issues that need to be addressed in order to make your truck safe for hauling.

So what should you look for when you’re inspecting your truck? This guide will help you learn what features to check. 

Front

First, open up the hood of your truck to take a look at the engine. It’s crucial to make sure that all of your engine fluids are clean and topped off. This may require you changing out old oil, topping off coolant and windshield-wiper fluid and checking on your power-steering and brake fluid. Also, don’t forget to fill up your gas tank with clean, fresh fuel before you leave!

Sides

Walk down both sides of your truck to check out features like the air hoses, exhaust and catwalk. Lean down to make sure the drive axle is in good shape and that your suspension system doesn’t have any issues. 

Tires

Check your tires to make sure that none of them have balding treads, embedded objects, sidewall cracks or any other issues that could result in a blowout on the highway. Grab your tire-pressure gauge so that you can check the pressure of each tire and air them up accordingly. One of the biggest causes of poor fuel economy is under-inflated tires, so you can save yourself money by ensuring that all of your tires are adequately pressured.

Cab

Finally, it’s time to hop in your cab to make sure that it’s clean and organized. Wipe down your windshield inside and out so that you can see clearly. Adjust mirrors as needed to accommodate your blind spots. Test the lights, signals, windshield wipers, heating and cooling systems to ensure proper functioning as well. It can be helpful to take a short drive to ensure that your brakes work correctly, too.

Need some assistance with service on your truck? Talk to the DeBary Truck Sales service department about scheduling an appointment with us. Our team of professional mechanics can address any issues you’re having with your truck and get you back on the road in no time.

Looking to buy a new truck? Come on down to see us at our dealership located in Sanford, FL, to check out our wide stock of new and used trucks for sale. DeBary Truck Sales serves the city of Atlanta, GA, in addition to our neighbors in Jacksonville and Tampa, FL.