4 Signs It’s Time For Truck Repairs
It’s not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the signs truckers should be aware of that indicate a need for truck repairs.
When you’re driving on the road, and your semi-truck starts to do things that are generally unusual, it’s often time to stop into your trusted semi-truck repair shop and have your vehicle looked over for issues. While this is not an exhaustive list of what kinds of problems can arise when you’re on the road, they’re a few of the most common signs that something is wrong with your semi-truck, and you need to have it serviced.
Struggling With Turns
It’s not like anyone expects a semi-truck (especially one with a trailer attached) to turn on a dime. However, if you’re having more trouble than usual while making turns, it might be time to check on your tires. Worn or misaligned tires are a significant problem when you’re driving a massive truck that is already a challenge to maneuver. If you’re struggling to make smooth turns or experiencing excess vibration, your truck should be brought in to have its tires checked.
Unusually Slow Braking
Semi-trucks normally take a while to brake completely, but sometimes they start braking slower than normal. Like with turns, it’s already enough of a challenge to brake while driving a semi-truck without the added stress of worn or malfunctioning parts. Any vehicle that isn’t braking properly needs to be checked out ASAP, and it’s all the more important for semi-trucks due to their massive size and destructive capability. Crashing into another semi or other vehicle, or running off the road due to improper braking, could have devastating consequences.
Poor Fuel Economy
Poor fuel economy is a problem no matter who you are or what kind of vehicle you’re driving. However, for private truckers or fleet owners, this is an especially troublesome issue. Having to fuel up more frequently cuts into your profit margins and harms the bottom line of your business. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to keep a close eye on your fuel economy and note any changes that are forcing you to top up more often. Thankfully, this is usually a minor problem, such as a damaged sensor or a clogged air filter. This means that the issue will hopefully be inexpensive and easy to fix, and it will save you a lot of money on every trip.
Grinding Gears
If you start to hear a grinding sound whenever you shift gears, this is almost always a sign of transmission trouble. This is a major problem, and it needs to be addressed immediately. The longer you wait to have your transmission repaired, the more damage it will sustain. This means a higher repair bill, and could even lead to a situation where it would be more economical to just purchase another truck than fix the transmission on your current one.
MIDDLETON & MEADS IS YOUR ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR ALL OF YOUR VEHICLE’S NEEDS.
Need to repair your truck or bus? Contact Middleton & Meads today! Middleton & Meads provides quality truck and bus repair, service, and fleet management for the Baltimore, MD area. We have over 90 years of experience in the trucking industry and will provide you with customer service like you have never experienced before! If you are interested in seeing how we can help your business, give us a call at (410) 752-5588 or visit us online today! For more articles and trucking tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and LinkedIn.