Semi Truck Preventive Maintenance Checklist. Semi-truck maintenance plays a key role in your road success. Your equipment should be inspected before and after each trip. FMCSA Regulations SS396.1 require that equipment inspections are completed before and after drivers clocks start at 14 hours. These pretrip inspections provide a checklist of maintenance items for your truck. Parking brake, Steering mechanism, Reflectors and lighting equipment, Tires, Windshield, wipers, Rear vision mirrors, Coupling devices, Wheels and the rims, Stock of emergency equipment.
Drivers are basically looking out for anything that might be off. Are there cracks or chips in the windows? Is the equipment pointing to one side or the other? Are there any fluid leaks around? Etc. Visual inspections are the fastest and most effective way to spot potential problems before they escalate into financial problems, undesirable breakdowns, and/or CSA violations.