Understanding the most common truck breakdowns and why they occur will allow you to prevent all kinds of failures when you're on the road.
Discover with RoadPro the particularities of your vehicle and how the prevention of every truck breakdown goes hand in hand with the knowledge that each driver has of his semi-truck.
What are the most common breakdowns in Semitrucks?
The permanent use of the truck causes wear and tear on all its components. For this reason, learn why the most common truck breakdowns occur in your truck and the best ways to prevent them.
Tire failures
Tires are the part of the vehicle that receives the direct impact from the road due to the heavy weight on the ground. As they are in permanent use, tire failures are among the most common causes of truck and semi truck breakdowns.
Tire problems can be made by:
• A flat tire or a tire blowout in the middle of the road.
• Wear resulting in low tread depth.
• Shafts that are misaligned.
Incorrect pressure causes more wear in the center of the tread if it is too high. Also, too • • • low-pressure causes wear on the sides.
• Imbalance in terms of the height of both tires with respect to the ground.
• Defects in the suspension that directly affect the tires.
Motor overheating
Engine overheating is usually due to failures in the truck's cooling system. Four parts can cause overheating.
• The thermostat: it is in charge of regulating the temperature of all the parts of the truck. If it does not work properly, the engine overheats because the signal is not received and the coolant does not flow to the engine.
• The radiator hose: it transports the coolant to and from the radiator. If it is worn or cracked and has leakage, it causes the radiator to malfunction and therefore the engine to overheat.
• Cylinder head gasket failure: The cylinder head gasket is installed between the cylinder head and the engine block, it is in charge of sealing the coolant and oil to keep each part in place, avoiding possible gas and liquid leaks. The problem in the cylinder head gasket is quite visible when smoke comes out of the hood and greatly compromises the performance of the truck.
•Loose or broken belt: The belts are responsible for conducting the coolant efficiently through the entire truck system. If the belts are loose or broken, coolant is not transported properly and engine overheating occurs.
Problems in the electrical system
The truck’s electrical system is composed of several essential parts such as the alternator, the starter motor, and the battery. If the wiring or any of them fail, the operation of the entire vehicle will be compromised.
Electrical faults can be detected if the lights flicker, if there are strange smells, clicks, if the battery looks corroded or if the meters are not working properly. You can identify the fault by checking the fuse box and if you are unable to do so, it is necessary to call an expert technician to make the necessary revision.
Oil leaks
Oil lubricates all the moving parts of the vehicle and if there is any prolonged leakage it can cause a breakdown. Oil leaks are easy to identify because if you see oil on the asphalt around the truck it means there is a leak.
Brake failure
Brake wear, air leaks, corrosion, and internal water contamination are the main brake problems. It is this type of failure that can commonly cause truck accidents, but it is also an easily preventable failure with proper maintenance.
By knowing the most common truck problems, you can identify if your vehicle has a breakdown and act quickly to prevent the problem from getting worse.
What is the Biggest Cause of Starter Motor Failure?
Knowing the faults that affect your truck's starter motor will be useful to avoid future accidents and unexpected breakdowns during the working day. This allows you to take better care of your vehicle and keep it in the best possible condition.
The main causes of engine failures are:
1.Electrical problems due to faults in the battery or with the wiring, since the starter motor belongs to the vehicle's electrical system and its operation depends on these parts.
2.Damage or wear of the solenoid, which controls the electrical current from the battery to the starter motor when you turn the key to start the vehicle.
3.Oil leaks causing damage to the starter motor if oil comes in contact with it.
4.Wear of the starter motor that occurs over time, depending on the use of the truck.
If the starter motor is faulty, your truck will give you signs such as strange noises, a hissing sound, smoke, and oil leaks. Learn more about the diagnosis and repair of the starter motor to prevent future breakdowns in this part of your vehicle.
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4 Ways to Prevent Truck Breakdowns
Preventing truck breakdowns is possible through proper maintenance of all truck systems. Waiting for a major breakdown to occur increases costs and wasted time, so it is important to know how you can prevent breakdowns and take action before they occur.
The 4 most common ways to prevent breakdowns are:
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is key in preventing future breakdowns. Periodic inspections are always recommended to keep the truck in optimal condition.
Road Pro provides you with 24-hour PM Semitruck Service to detect and correct minor problems that may cause more serious failures in the future. Don't hesitate to contact Road Pro's specialized technicians for an early check-up to avoid accidents.
Pre-Trip Controls
Before starting the semitruck and embarking on your trip, it is important to carry out a preliminary check of the vehicle parts
Checking the condition of the tires, air pressure, possible cracks, excessive wear, or air leaks that can be heard will allow you to avoid any unforeseen events on the road. You can also take a look at all the components of the truck and make sure that everything looks normal.
Remember that in case of a tire failure you can turn to the professionals at Road Pro, who will provide you with the best assistance in tire repair and let your vehicle be in optimal conditions for driving.
Replace radiator hose
The radiator hose wears out as the truck wears, it should be replaced every 5 years to avoid breakdowns caused by hose failure.
Maintenance and testing of brakes
Regular brake maintenance will help you avoid breakdowns caused by brake failure. Road Pro has a brake repair service that will allow you to solve failures in this part of your vehicle.
If you need preventive maintenance to avoid future breakdowns, don't hesitate to request RoadPro Assistance and its services available 24 hours a day, call and receive the best attention from experienced semitruck professionals!
RoadPro has the most complete mobile truck service in the market and provides the best assistance 100 miles around Atlanta. The company guarantees the well-being of your vehicle and the solution of your problems in the shortest possible time and at the best possible cost.