The transmission is an important component of a semi, but a lot of people still struggle with transmission issues in their semi-trucks. Just like many other vehicles and equipment, the best way to prevent transmission problems in your semi-truck is through proper preventative maintenance. If you want to avoid stressing the transmission of your semi-truck, you need to make sure that you stick to a preventative maintenance schedule.
If you create a maintenance plan ahead of time, you can avoid costly repairs and downtime. Make sure that you stick to your maintenance plan and service your truck whenever necessary. If you do not already have a comprehensive preventative maintenance plan for your semi-truck, the following are a few things that you should include when creating one to prevent transmission issues.
Regular Inspection
You need to hire a professional to conduct regular inspections and perform maintenance whenever necessary for your semi-truck. If there are any transmission issues or you suspect that there may be a problem with the transmission, make sure to act quickly so it does not end up causing more damage. Performing regular inspections will also give you an idea of what you should be on the lookout for when you are looking at used trucks for sale. You will be able to determine if the semi you are thinking of purchasing has any transmission issues.
Transmission Fluid
Make sure to take care of your transmission fluid levels. See that you do not overfill. You need to use the right kind of transmission fluid for the vehicle as well, and you can find out if you are using the correct one by going through the user manual.
Do Not Overheat the Transmission
Make sure to keep an eye on heat levels. To avoid overheating the transmission, you can install an auxiliary cooler. Doing this will allow the machine to get enough time to warm up on particularly cold days. You also need to make sure that you do not overload the vehicle.
Go Easy on the Transmission
Make sure that your drivers know not to make any high performance starts. Tell them that they should avoid spinning the tires unnecessarily. Whenever they are parked on an incline, they should use the emergency brakes as it will help lessen component stress. If the truck is stuck somewhere and rocking between the gears is necessary, they should be gentle while doing so. Tell your drivers to let the wheels stop before they switch gears.
Conclusion
Proper inspection and maintenance will ensure that your truck runs smoothly, efficiently, and reliably. People usually face transmission issues because they fail to keep up with a regular preventative maintenance schedule. Make sure to follow the aforementioned tips to prevent any semi-truck transmission problems. Skipping maintenance will only result in problems down the line, and you may have to start looking for used trucks for sale if you are not careful.