The maintenance of a heavy vehicle or a fleet of large trucks is an operation that should not be neglected to avoid major mechanical problems. This also contributes to maximizing the life of these types of vehicles, not to mention optimizing their profitability. To fully play their role and ensure the safety of the driver as well as the goods, trucks must therefore be maintained regularly. However, this operation is not done lightly. Indeed, there are some rules that it is essential to follow to the letter. To learn more about this, we invite you to read the rest of this article.
How to effectively wash heavy goods vehicles?
The appearance of your truck fleet is of crucial importance to optimize the brand image of your transport company. Washing is therefore a very important step in the maintenance of heavy goods vehicles. Note that you can wash your trucks and trucks with thermal or electric monobrushes on your own. On the other hand, we inform you that washing a truck is not as simple as washing a small vehicle.
Use quality equipment suitable for trucks
In order to clean the heavy goods vehicles in your car fleet in the best conditions, it is important that you equip yourself with specific equipment . Bet on thermal and electrical equipment that will give you the opportunity to perform professional-level washes. In order to reduce your environmental impact, you can choose eco-responsible models. Do not forget to bring telescopic brooms in order to reach the often substantial height of this type of vehicle.
In addition, also take care to choose the cleaning products you use. Indeed, while some are intended for fragile surfaces, others are designed for the chassis, rims and other hard parts. Do not neglect the products for the maintenance of the interior, namely the leather and the materials of the cabin. It should be noted that these products are available in several ranges. We therefore advise you to prioritize those intended for professionals, which are more qualitative.
You should know that nothing beats the services of an expert if you plan to take care of your heavy weights effectively. If you want the cleaning to be carried out in the rules of the art, a truck specialist is ideal. Indeed, a professional knows each type and model, and is therefore able to adapt his services accordingly. Each tool and accessory used for washing ensures a quality result without the risk of damaging the paint. As you will have understood, relying on the skills of a professional is the guarantee of well-cleaned trucks, inside and out.
Wash your trucks regularly
Washing every week is a good frequency for heavy weights. In this case, you will have the opportunity to preserve the appearance of the vehicle for long periods of time. On the other hand, if the cleanings are too spaced out, the dirt will certainly become embedded to the point of becoming almost impossible to remove. The main risks in this type of case are rust and corrosion. If the dirt becomes encrusted on the windscreen or the lights, it can constitute a hindrance to driving or a factor in an accident.
What is the average cost of truck maintenance?
Although the maintenance of a truck is a common maintenance operation, it is a major step. Indeed, it guarantees the reliability of your fleet of trucks . It also reduces fuel consumption and the impact on the environment of the vehicle. Of course, taking care of heavy goods vehicles also entails more or less significant expenses depending on various criteria.
The average amount of maintenance for a truck depends on a number of things. The age of the vehicle as well as the kilometers traveled are factors to consider. The cost of labor and the price of spare parts are also to be taken into account. Generally speaking, the average cost for the maintenance of a truck varies between €6,000 and €12,000 each year. Even if this range seems high, you should know that the maintenance services take into account several elements:
In the end, you can even hope to save money, because you avoid too big repairs , among other things. Finally, note that compared to the operating cost of a truck, maintenance generally corresponds to 6 to 10% of the annual budget.
How is the emptying of a truck carried out?
As with any other vehicle, heavy goods vehicles also need an oil change at certain intervals. This is crucial to optimize engine performance and life.
In general, the oil change of a heavy goods vehicle should be carried out every 80,000 to 100,000 km . Attention ! These figures should take into account the oil you will have used. You should know that commercially available products are not always of good quality. This means that some do not always guarantee good lubrication in case the intervals between oil changes are too long.
Environmental and climatic conditions also impact the frequency of emptying. If you are in a dusty area, for example, unwanted particles will seep through the vehicle’s air filter. They will then end up in the engine, affecting the quality of the oil.