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Commercial Vehicle Maintenance Checklist: 3 Priorities That Will Save You Money
Jun 17, 2021

Regular truck maintenance is one of the most cost-effective strategies you can put in place at your company. It’s a money saver for multiple reasons: it lessens the frequency of costly repairs, it lessens the downtime associated with unexpected trouble, and it lessens the likelihood of accidents. Documenting your expectations with a commercial vehicle maintenance checklist, and backing it up with a clear schedule, is step one.


Keep in mind that the FMCSA requires documentation of maintenance records for each vehicle in your fleet, whether you’re running a one-truck operation or you have a full lot. To remain compliant, each vehicle is required to have one year of documented and planned service onboard at all times. 


If you’re using a fleet management system, you can use it to remind you which trucks need to be serviced when. If you’re not using a fleet management system, build a digital calendar that can trigger a notification to keep you up-to-date on all maintenance tasks.


Your goal is to keep your drivers safe and to keep your drivers on the road. Avoiding roadside emergencies (link to “4 Ways to Help Drivers Handle Roadside Emergencies”) is step number one. Here are a few things you should prioritize along the way.

Schedule Preventative Truck Maintenance

Much like taking care of a personal vehicle, staying on top of your preventative maintenance tasks will save you money in the long run. Preventative maintenance for a commercial vehicle involves the same type of work as is needed in your car: checking fluid levels, cleaning, oiling, and replacing parts that wear down with regular use, like brakes, tires, and filters.


By staying ahead of these fixes, you’re mitigating the likelihood of larger, more costly repairs. In fact, it can be 4 times more expensive to fix emergency repairs than it is to complete preventative maintenance.


Create a digital schedule for your fleet. Your commercial vehicle maintenance checklist should include: oil and filter changes, transmission fluid, tires, wheels and rims, braking systems, steering and suspension systems, exhaust systems, engine and transmission mounts, cooling systems, drive shafts or CV joints, undercarriages and frames, horns, seatbelts and seat structures, exterior and interior lights, windshield wipers, auxiliary systems, and fuel systems.

Keep Your Tires Healthy

While tire checks should be part of your preventative maintenance, they often require a bit more attention than other parts of your trucks. Overinflated tires are more prone to blowouts, which means potential accidents and downtime that eats up money. Underinflated tires cost up to 3.3% more fuel, and in a business like transportation, fuel costs really matter. Train your drivers to be aware of their tires, and include these items on your commercial vehicle maintenance checklist: regular tire rotation, wheel alignment, consistent tire pressure, and clean wheels and tires.

Clearly Outline Responsibilities

To make truck maintenance a priority at your company, it’s important that you clearly outline who owns which responsibilities. If your team is large enough, consider hiring a person dedicated to fleet maintenance. This person can be responsible for maintaining inspection schedules, documenting maintenance, and either completing or scheduling maintenance.


Likewise, your drivers should hold a level of the responsibility, too. They are the ones in the trucks, and they know them best. Make clear what you expect of your drivers, like checking the oil and tire pressure when on the road. Apps exist that allow drivers to digitally document their routine vehicle inspections, too, to simplify this process. Curious to know what else you can do to make your company the best it can be? For years, Gold Star has helped trucking companies excel. With dispatching services, consultative sessions, mentoring programs, and full business set-up, we’re your one-stop-shop partner. Check out what we have to offer, and then let’s chat about how we can help.

Your Guide to the Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program

17 Jun, 2021
It’s impossible to think of the trucking industry without considering Amazon. In 2019, the company delivered 4.5 billion packages in the United States . Their Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program enables anyone with some startup capital the opportunity to get involved in their massively successful business venture. There are pros and cons to becoming an Amazon DSP, but the steady stream of work is certainly eye-catching to start-up trucking companies. Amazon lays out some of the most important information , but let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions.

Your Guide to DOT Background Check Requirements for Drivers

17 Jun, 2021
A thorough, compliant background screening program for your drivers should be the backbone of your hiring strategy. Background checks ensure that your new drivers have all of the qualifications necessary to do the job well and to best represent your company out on the road. Background checks also, of course, weed out any drivers with disqualifying criminal histories, a history of driving violations, and substance abuse problems. That’s why they should be a standard part of your fleet safety program anyway (link to “Fleet Safety Program: 4 Important Things to Remember”). In our regulated industry, a DOT background check is required. Here’s how DOT background check requirements differ from standard employment screening.

Will Truck Driving Be Automated?

17 Jun, 2021
It’s the question on the minds of truck drivers, owners, and delivery companies everywhere: will truck driving be automated? Automated trucks have been a conversation point for years now, with many worrying that technology advances will put millions of people out of work. Despite these concerns, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5% growth for trucking employment in the coming years. While other industries struggle to adapt to new technology, the trucking industry is greatly benefiting from it. There are a range of opinions when it comes to this question, though most truck drivers seem confident that their jobs can’t (or at least won’t) be done by machines any time soon. Before getting into the trucking industry, it’s important that you take a look at the landscape and make an educated decision about it—but remember there will always be a need to move goods from one place to another, and the explosion in online ordering suggests that need is only going to expand. Let’s take a look at the current state of automated trucks as we dive into the question: will truck driving be automated?

What Is Carbon Neutral Shipping & How Do Companies Become Carbon Neutral?

17 Jun, 2021
Trucking and logistics is no longer just about getting materials from point A to point B. Much like consumers want to buy their products from socially responsible corporations or boycott businesses that don’t align with their beliefs, many companies want to work with trucking companies that prove they care about the environment. Whether due to their personal beliefs, to the corporate responsibility goals they’re mandated to meet, or to a desire to please their own customer base, you’re serving clients who will ask about your carbon neutral shipping practices sooner rather than later. Now is the time to start taking this topic seriously. Do you find yourself asking “what is carbon neutral shipping anyway?” Are you wondering why carbon neutral shipping might be a benefit? Curious to know how companies become carbon neutral? Keep reading to discover the answers to all of your questions about this climate-responsible approach to business.

What Do I Need to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
The trucking industry landscape is largely made up of small businesses—with over 90% of companies operating fewer than seven trucks—so there is room for you if you’re considering starting a small trucking business. Whether you’re a professional truck driver already or you’re just a prospective business owner looking to cash in on the projected growth in the industry, you can get on the road toward a successful business with our help. What do you need to start your own trucking business? Just a little bit of insight from Gold Star’s experts.

The Facts & Figures: How Much Does it Cost to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
Are you ready to work for yourself? Find yourself wondering how much does it cost to start a trucking company? Some estimates anticipate between $10,000 and $20,000 to get started with a small trucking company, assuming you don’t have to factor in the average cost of a semi truck. What goes into the cost of starting a logistics company? Let’s take a look.
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