Your Yearly Inspection Guide for a Used Semi Truck

Buying a used semi truck is a great way to save on an important purchase. But, before you head out to the dealership to nab one of these models, you’ll want to remember they require a little extra care and attention. To help you keep your truck in great shape we’ve put together a yearly maintenance checklist for you to follow. But, if you’re still needing to buy a high-quality semi, feel free to stop at any of our locations across the states of Colorado, Nevada, and Wyoming!

Regular Maintenance Checks

Before we start listing annual maintenance tasks we want to explain what you shouldn’t be checking only once a year. Important components like oil, brakes, and lights will need to be inspected regularly to avoid accidents or more serious mechanical issues in the future. This may be done based on your truck's mileage or even its age. As your rig gets older, parts may fail or need replacing. Regularly maintaining these crucial pieces will ensure you catch serious issues before they get out of hand so you can keep your semi running for years to come.

Professional Care

At least once a year you’ll want to visit a qualified mechanic for a short inspection or even a general diagnostics test. This is generally just a preventative measure to make sure nothing is working incorrectly or deteriorating without your knowledge. If your employer is paying for these checks, or it’s a requirement for your employment, they may set up an appointment themselves at a location on your route.

If your truck was manufactured before the year 2000 or is only used for short-distance hauling it might not have an EMC or ELog available. However, it’s a requirement for all truckers hauling cargo long distances to have an ELog and EMC. You’ll want to configure your EMC once a year to keep it up to date and running smoothly. This will need to be done by a professional and you may look for a mechanic that can perform both your yearly inspection and your EMC configuration.

Annual Tasks

There are a number of maintenance tasks that aren’t necessary to complete more than once a year.  However, if you notice these parts malfunctioning or deteriorating you’ll obviously want to care for or replace them immediately.

• Battery: While this generally only needs to be done once a year, you do have the option to complete this task every six months or so if you’d like to be extra cautious. Carefully check the cables on your battery as well as the connector terminals for any sign of damage or corrosion. With a mix of baking soda and water, take a soft brush or towel and cover the terminals. Allow the mixture to sit and bubble for a few minutes before wiping it off with a clean towel. This should prevent corrosion from deteriorating your battery even if it has already begun to appear.
• A/C: Once a year you’ll want to remove the air filter located behind the glove box and replace it with a new one. You’ll also want to pop the hood and closely inspect your condenser’s parts for any damage or signs of leaking
  Fluids: While this may need to be done sooner depending on your truck's mileage, at least once a year you’ll want to check and replace the various fluids in your semi. This includes brake fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant. After draining these fluids be sure to flush out the systems with their respective cleaners before refilling them.
• Tires: If you drive through snowy areas or inclement weather you’ll want to do your tire inspection before the season starts. Check to be sure that your tire pressure is correct and hasn’t become overfilled due to warm weather. Check that your tread is still visible and there are no signs of uneven wear. If you notice your tread is uneven across your wheels it’s a sign your truck tires need to be realigned, which is a task we would advise doing once a year regardless. Check to be sure there are no punctures or objects stuck in the rubber and listen closely for the sound of escaping air.

While this guide does not include every maintenance task you’ll need to perform throughout your truck's life, it should keep it running for years to come! However, if you’re driving through the states of Nevada, Wyoming, or Colorado and need a semi-truck mechanic we hope you’ll stop by McCandless Truck Center. No matter what services you’re needing, our experienced techs can get the job done.