Signs It’s Time to Take Your Commercial Truck in for Service

Routine tune-ups are important for all drivers, but are especially critical for commercial truck drivers because they rely on their vehicles for their livelihood. A broken-down truck doesn’t just mean someone can’t get where they’re going. It can mean a valuable shipment can’t get there, either. If you own a business with a fleet of commercial trucks, those are some of your most valuable assets. In addition to being pivotal parts of your daily operations, they also possess their own value, and you want to keep them in good shape for years to come, either for long-term use or for resale value one day.

If you’re looking for reliable and professional commercial truck service in Cincinnati, we hope you’ll come to us at McCluskey Chevrolet. Our dedicated service technicians possess the skills and knowledge to keep your commercial trucks operating at their best. In fact, you might have purchased your fleet vehicles from us, so you can count on the same dealership that sold you your commercial trucks to care for them. Not sure when you need service? Here are signs it’s time to bring your commercial truck in for a tune-up.

Poor Fuel Economy

If you have a heavy-duty truck, then you know that the EPA doesn’t publish the fuel economy figures for such trucks. However, you or your drivers know when your trucks are getting far fewer miles per gallon than usual. If the receipts at the pump seem to be creeping up, but your employees aren’t taking on longer routes, your trucks might be seeing a dip in fuel economy due to some mechanical issues. Depending on your model, you might also have onboard technology that tells you how many miles per gallon you’re getting.

Poor fuel economy can be due to a number of issues, from faulty engine parts to low tire pressure and alignment issues. When you’re dealing with trucks that guzzle as much fuel as commercial ones, you can’t afford to let the issue go unaddressed. Bring your trucks in right away if you see your truck’s fuel economy take a dive.

Leaking Fluids

Are you seeing wet spots on the ground when you pull your trucks out of their spots? You’re likely leaking fluids, which can quickly lead to damage to your engine and more. There are a variety of fluid types that could be leaking. If your engine is leaking motor oil, it will increase friction among mechanical parts, which can cause damage and overheating.

If your transmission fluid is leaking, your engine might struggle to switch gears, or your transmission could overheat. Extremely low fluids can also cause your vehicle to fail to start or even set off from a stop. Leaking engine coolant can, naturally, also lead to overheating problems.

If you see signs of fluid pooling beneath your commercial trucks, bring them in right away. It’s also a good practice to familiarize your team members with the regular fluid levels for important fluids so they can check these on the road and prevent issues. Our technicians will always check these levels during routine maintenance, too.

Difficulty Braking

Struggling to come to a stop obviously poses a major risk, especially when driving a vehicle as large as a commercial truck. If you or your employees hear grinding noises when braking, the brake pads might have worn down so much that the metal backing plate is making contact with the rotor. A spongy, soft brake pedal is also a sign that air might have gotten into the brake lines, which will cause braking issues. Furthermore, if drivers feel vibrations in the steering wheel when braking or smell a burning smell, it’s time to come in for service. Leaking compressed air can also affect your truck’s stopping power, requiring larger stopping distances. However, if your drivers aren’t aware of this, this issue can put them at risk of major accidents, especially on the busy streets of Cincinnati, where there is almost always another vehicle in front of yours.

Failure to Start

Nothing derails a business day like a truck that won’t start. The fast-paced city of Cincinnati keeps moving, even when your trucks don’t, which could leave clients anxiously awaiting their shipments, services, or other goods your company provides. If your truck won’t start or requires several attempts before it does, there could be an issue with the engine or the battery. Low oil pressure, electrical problems, compression problems, or a clogged fuel filter can all prevent your truck from starting. One of our technicians will perform a thorough inspection to get to the root of the issue. Inform your drivers to notify you even the first time they see trouble starting a truck.

Dashboard Lights

Even though the street lights might be bright on Harrison Avenue, make sure your drivers are always aware of the warning lights inside their trucks, too. Dashboard lights are designed to communicate issues ranging from mild to serious. Make sure your drivers know what each light looks like, including warnings for engine issues, coolant temperature, brake pressure, tire pressure, transmission issues, voltage warnings, and more. It’s a good idea to test drivers on their knowledge of these lights before sending them out on the road.

Exhaust Problems

In order to identify the cause of an exhaust problem, your drivers first need to know what normal exhaust looks like. For a commercial truck, such as a semi-truck or big rig, regular exhaust will be thin and white in color. If your drivers see a lot of black or blue smoke or white smoke that’s thicker than usual, it’s time to come in for service. Black exhaust is particularly concerning, as it can be a sign of a clogged filter or a fuel injection system that isn’t working properly. Not addressing these issues right away can cause your engine to overheat and incur serious damage.

Strange Noises

Your driver’s ears are some of their most valuable tools when it comes to detecting issues early. A knocking sound could be indicative of engine issues. Meanwhile, squealing could be a sign of worn-down brake pads. As mentioned earlier, grinding could also be a sign of engine problems. Train your teams not to ignore weird sounds from your trucks and report them immediately.

Cincinnati Drivers Can Find Excellent Commercial Truck Service at McCluskey Chevrolet

Don’t trust something as valuable as your fleet vehicles to anyone but the best. We have extensive experience servicing commercial trucks for drivers in the Cincinnati area. Our technicians understand what issues to look for in commercial trucks and the ideal maintenance schedule for a variety of top models. Sit down with one of our technicians and tell them a bit about your fleet and how you use your trucks. They’ll recommend the ideal services to prevent issues and keep your fleet running smoothly.

We’re business managers ourselves, so we understand how important it is that every part of your organization is working as expected. Let us be your partners in caring for your commercial trucks, so you can keep your Cincinnati operations running on schedule. We look forward to serving your trucks at our friendly dealership right here in the Queen City.