Preventive
maintenance
winter
checklist
16 Fleet Maintenance | October 2018
PM ITEMS
“Everything in fleet
maintenance starts
and ends with the
proper equipment
specifications for your
operational environment
and use,” says
Gerry Mead, executive
director of innovation
at Phillips Industries.
“If you fail to spec the
equipment properly,
it will fail to meet
your needs. The next
important item is
your PM program. Key
items when it comes
to keeping costs low
while balancing quality
can be time-consuming,
but well worth it if
you are results-orientated
or KPI-driven.”
• Battery: Regularly
perform a battery
load test to ensure
the cold cranking
amps (CCA) meet
specifications.
Clean the terminals
and ensure a
corrosion-free and
tight connection.
• Coolant: Ensure the
freeze point for the
vehicle’s antifreeze
is well below temperatures
that will
be encountered.
• Windshield: Fill
windshield washer
fluid reservoirs
with fluid that won’t
freeze in cold temperatures.
Verify that
windshield wipers
are clearing the
driver’s view correctly.
Winter-specific
blades tend to do a
better job at swatting
away moisture than
standard blades.
• Belts: Inspect
the serpentine
belt for cracks or
excessive wear.
• Wiring: Inspect wiring
for cracks, rubs
and cuts or excessive
connectors from an
old repair. Always
use sealable connectors
and inspect
the wire up past the
break for additional
problems. Wiring can
wick moisture and
additional corrosion
might be present
further up from the
initial problem area.
• Filters: Service fuel
and coolant filters,
if equipped, as well
as the air dryer cartridge.
Specific OEM
recommended intervals
are a good minimum,
but may need
to be adjusted based
on specific fleet
operations to help
set a better interval
for replacement.
• Fifth wheel:
Lubricate and clean
the fifth wheel.
Besides lubricating
the pivot points and
top plate with grease,
it is a best practice to
spray the jaws with
a diesel fuel lube oil
mixture after ensuring
they are debris-
and grease-free.
• 7-way trailer connector:
Inspect and
clean the back-ofcab
7-way connector,
and don’t overlook
the cap as it is
designed to keep the
cable secure in the
socket. Inspect the
cap spring to ensure
it snaps back in place
as well as the notch
that interlocks with
the 7-way connector
end. Apply dielectric
grease to prevent
water intrusion.
Check the cable
itself for corrosion
and worn pins, as
well as a worn head.
Also look at the
plug and cap on the
front of the coupled
unit for the same
issues and clean and
re-grease periodically
for longevity.
• Glad hands: Check
glad hand seals.
Mead recommends
replacing these if in
doubt, as they are
an inexpensive item
that could lead to a
very expensive issue
in case of failure.
Also check the glad
hands themselves,
making sure they
still lock tightly
and are free from
cracks and debris.
• Spring brakes:
Check the air spring
brake chamber dust
cap. Keeping caps
in place will prevent
power spring contamination,
which
could lead to failure.
• Tires: Tires are also
vital and require
not only proper
tread depth, but
proper air pressure.
Air pressure will
not only affect the
footprint of the tire,
but also the ride
for the operator.
• DPF filter: With the
advent of engine
regulations, fleets
must ensure the
aftertreatment system
is ready. Look
at idle time versus
change interval and
ensure DPF filters
are changed when
needed. A forced
regeneration at each
PM will help reduce
failure, but reduction
in idle is always the
best. Keep in mind
that during cold
weather a vehicle
will idle more often
to keep the operator
safe and comfortable.
Drivers should
be instructed on
how to respond to
DPF dash warning
lights so a DPF failure
does not occur.
• Wash: A wash program
is often overlooked.
Fleets should
implement a consistent
wash program
that includes an
environmentally-safe
chemical to stop the
corrosion of road
chemicals from eating
away at vehicle
systems year-round.
ON-ROAD
AUDIT ITEMS
While pre- and posttrip
inspections are
always critical, drivers
must perform additional
audits when it
comes to operating
in the cold, to ensure
they do not experience
an unplanned
maintenance event
or accident.
Ensure that
lights are not
covered with ice,
snow or road film.
Store cables
in their holder
when not in use.
Check the snow
load on top of
the trailer as well as
snow on the hood
of the tractor itself.
With today’s
ADAS-equipped
vehicles, it is important
to ensure the
radar unit is also free
of debris for proper
system operation.
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