Features of Technical Inspection for Trucks

To ensure that your truck operates smoothly, it is necessary to perform scheduled preventive maintenance and conduct comprehensive ongoing repairs.

These regular comprehensive actions will reduce wear and tear on parts and prevent system failures, helping to maintain the vehicle’s performance and appearance for a long time.

Preventive maintenance is performed at certain intervals to keep the vehicle in compliance with the “Rules for the Technical Operation of Motor Vehicle Traffic” and “Traffic Rules.”

To conduct vehicle maintenance, the following series of works are required:

• diagnostic;
• fastening;
• lubrication;
• adjustment;
• electrotechnical;
• and other works that do not require disassembling the vehicle or removing individual units.

But if, during the inspection, it is not possible to determine the condition of a particular unit or assembly, it must be disassembled and checked on a special stand.

Types of Maintenance

There is a certain order of maintenance and its periodicity, so the main types of maintenance are distinguished:

• Daily maintenance (DM);
• First maintenance (PM-1);
• Second maintenance (PM-2);
• Seasonal maintenance (SM).

Daily Maintenance

This maintenance is carried out daily after the end of the work shift. A visual inspection of all main mechanisms, units, lighting devices, and the body is performed. Washing and cleaning are carried out. It is important to check the levels of all fluids and top them up if necessary.

First Maintenance (PM-1)

This type of inspection for trucks is recommended every 3500 km of mileage. It aims to inspect systems and mechanisms and conduct certain diagnostic work to check the engine, steering, and braking systems. Here are the main tasks that need to be done during PM-1:

• checking the completeness of the vehicle with the necessary tools for the driver;
• checking all fasteners of important units and systems, especially carefully checking the cylinder block head bolts;
• servicing the battery;
• checking the integrity and tension of all belts;
• lubrication work according to the recommendations of the service book;
• checking and adjusting the braking system and steering;
• checking the condition of the wheels and tire pressure;
• checking the vehicle’s operation while driving.

Second Maintenance (PM-2)

The PM-2 of the truck is carried out after every 14,000 km of mileage. This is a more thorough and detailed diagnostic and check of main systems and assemblies during operation. Namely:

• based on daily maintenance and PM-1, a certain amount of work to be carried out is compiled;
• performing adjustments and maintenance recommended in the service book;
• flushing the fuel system and replacing filtration elements;
• if tire wear is detected, it is replaced or rearranged according to the scheme;
• checking the tightness of the braking system and, if necessary, replacing the brake fluid;
• performing mandatory lubrication work according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

After PM-2, the vehicle is checked while driving.

Seasonal Maintenance (SM)

This type of maintenance is carried out twice a year and prepares the truck for use in cold or warm seasons. Typically, such maintenance is performed at the beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn, sometimes it is combined with PM-2. The main goal of this technical inspection is:

• replacement of lubricants and fluids according to the season;
• preparation of the body for the new season;
• when transitioning to the winter period, the heating system is checked, and in the summer, the air conditioning system is checked;
• tire replacement according to the season.