EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

 Key Benefits of Preventative Maintenance:

• Enhanced Safety: Keeps brakes, tires, lights, and steering in top condition, reducing accident risk for drivers and the public.
• Cost Savings: Prevents major failures (like engine overhauls) by addressing minor issues early, which is far cheaper than emergency repairs.
• Reduced Downtime: Trucks stay on the road earning money instead of being stuck in the shop, boosting productivity.
• Regulatory Compliance: Helps meet strict FMCSA/DOT standards, avoiding fines and penalties from failed inspections.
• Extended Vehicle Life: Minimizes wear and tear, maximizing the return on the significant investment in the truck.
• Better Fuel Efficiency: Well-maintained engines, clean filters, and proper tire pressure improve gas mileage.
• Improved Reliability: Ensures predictable performance, leading to better customer satisfaction and delivery schedules. 

In short, preventative maintenance is an investment that ensures trucks are safe, legal, and profitable assets, not costly liabilities.  

*** FMCSA (49 CFR Part 396) requires carriers to keep detailed maintenance records for vehicles under their control for at least one year while in service, and six months after leaving control, including vehicle ID (VIN, make, etc.), inspection/repair/maintenance schedules, and records of work done. Key documents like Annual/Periodic Inspection reports (14 months), roadside inspection reports (1 year), and Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs, 3 months) have specific retention periods. Records must be kept where the vehicle is housed or maintained.