Any vehicle is susceptible to maintenance issues, especially with regular use, but there are certain ones that are particularly common when it comes to lorries. For businesses who use lorries for commercial purposes, fleet maintenance is particularly important, which is why these issues should regularly be checked for and rectified as soon as possible if and when they do occur.

We’ve listed below three of the most common maintenance issues that occur with lorries along with what you can do to spot them.

Tyres

Considering that lorries carry extremely heavy loads over long distances and do so on the regular, it should come as no surprise that this can cause a lot of stress on their tyres, which could lead to tyre blowouts. This is even more likely to happen if the tyres have been under or over inflated, which results in increased tread wear.

This is why it is so important to frequently check the air pressure of your fleet’s tyres, ensuring that the pressure is at an optimum level. Regular inspection of the tyres’ general condition is also important, as is tyre rotation. Ensure that you do not overload your lorries, that weight is distributed evenly and that the axles are not misaligned or have different tyres (e.g. a radial tyre and a bias tyre have been used on the same axle by mistake).

Brakes

Brakes are one component of vehicles that undergo the most strain, since they are responsible for slowing down the full weight of the vehicle – this strain is even more excessive in lorries when the additional weight of the cargo is taken into account. As such, they can break down much easier and quicker.

This is why drivers should check the brakes every day. As well as testing the brakes to ensure that they work and don’t feel slack, they should also be inspected as part of a regular maintenance plan, looking out for loose springs, bushings or pins and listening for any leaks in the air chamber.

Engine

Engine issues are among the most common to occur when something goes wrong with your lorry, and they can be caused by a multitude of things. If you notice that any of your lorries’ engines are overheating, then this could lead to engine failure, which is why the underlying issue should be found immediately so that it can be repaired.

It could be that the fuel injectors, pumps or EGR valves are worn out (as most lorries operate using diesel), or perhaps the engine coolant is leaking – either way, frequent inspection and proper lorry maintenance is key to appropriately diagnose and fix any issues that may lead to engine issues.

Transcare Commercial Fleet Maintenance

Here at Transcare, we pride ourselves in offering specialist maintenance services for commercial fleets. By outsourcing your fleet maintenance to us, you can ensure that your lorries will be serviced and repaired (should they need it) to DVSA standards, making them safe and efficient to drive.

To learn more about the services we offer and how we can help your business, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.