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Common Truck Breakdowns and How to Prevent Them

Fleet trucks are the main source of the logistics and transportation industry in India. From carrying heavy loads to covering long distances across cities and states, trucks play a pivotal role in delivering goods. . 

However, the constant use and heavy duty performance make fleet trucks extremely ineffective, and leads to common truck breakdowns. 

The sudden tire blowout, faulty battery or an oil leak cause unexpected breakdowns. Not only does it cause delay but also incurs costly repairs and safety risks. 

This write-up enlists the common truck breakdowns you may encounter and important truck maintenance tips to save you time, money and stress. Let’s get started.

Most Common Truck Breakdowns And Their Preventive Measures 

Read on to discover common truck breakdowns and learn what you can do to prevent them in the future. 

• Tyre Puncture And Blowout

One of the most common truck breakouts you may encounter is tyre puncture and blowout. Trucks carry heavy loads across cities/ states and move in various environmental conditions, the chances of tyre blowouts/ puncture are high. 

Preventive measures to take: 

• Consider regular servicing and proper inspection before heading out
• Avoid overloading the truck
• Maintain accurate tyre pressure 
• Change out worn tyres 

• Engine Failure 

Truck engine issues may arise from other problems such as overheating, oil leakage, dirty filter, poor lubrication, etc. It is advised to regularly check these things that may cause engine failure and put you in trouble in the middle of the journey. 

Preventive measures to take: 

• Regularly change engine oil and filters
• Check for oil leakage 
• Monitor coolant levels
• Check the fuel system for blockages
• Schedule routine diagnosis to detect potential issues 
• Brake Failure

Brake failure in trucks is quite common and may claim your life, too. Every year, brake issues cause accidents on roads and poor efficiency for fleets. In normal vehicles, brakes are under pressure, while the huge weight on fleets causes more pressure on brakes, which causes breakdown. 

Preventive measures to take: 

• Do regular service of brake components
• Timely replacement of brake pads
• Schedule brake system evolution 
• Conduct inspection before hitting the roads
•  
• Electrical Issues

With the advancement in technology, the transportation industry has also modernized. Today, fleets heavily rely on electrical systems for lighting, instrumentation, and communication tools. The issues in these electrical systems may arise from bad wiring, blown fuses, or short circuit, leading to truck battery problems. 

Preventive measures to take: 

• Ensure proper grounding of electrical systems
• Replace blown fuse with new ones
• Check for any wear or tear caused over time
• Keep checking the battery for optimal output 
•  
• Oil Leaks

Oil leaks are another common issue that can cause breakdown. However, oil leakage is a problem that might not be visible to the naked eye, but it can cause potential issues for the truck. The leaking oil in the truck leads to a loss of lubrication which increases friction. In other words, friction is quite harmful as it causes some parts of the trucks to fail. So, being aware of the issue is important to keep the truck in optimal conduction. 

Preventive measures to take: 

• Check for leakage 
• Replace the worn-out oil filter with the new one
• Maintain the oil pump to keep the powertrain healthy  
•  
• Overheating

Overheating is one of the most common truck breakdowns that can reduce the efficiency of the trucks. There are several things that can cause overheating such as leaking coolant, a poor radiator cap, faulty thermometer, etc. 

Preventive measures to take: 

• Conduct a professional inspection of the vehicle
• Keep checking if anything is wrong with any component in the truck 
• Check what is causing overheating 
•  
• Cooling System Issues

In summers, cooling systems in trucks start acting up that may cause overheated engines. Broken water pumps, clogged hoses, and radiator leaks can be the culprit of malfunctioning coolant systems. However, refrigeration and coolant systems play a crucial role in keeping the goods and trucks in healthy condition. 

Preventive measures to take: 

• Always check the coolant level before every voyage 
• Inspect radiator hoses and belts for wear or leaks
• Conduct regular maintenance checks
• Ensure fans and thermostats are working properly 
•  
• Fuel System Issue

Last but not least, fuel system issues can lead to poor performance of your truck or even a complete engine shutdown. The fuel system issue can be caused due to clogged filters, dirty fuel injectors, and water in the fuel. All this can reduce fuel efficiency and difficulty in starting the truck. 

Preventive measures to take: 

• Use high-quality diesel fuel
• Keep your injectors clean
• Keep the fuel tank clean to avoid contamination
• Change fuel filters timely 

Wrap Up!

The aforementioned common truck breakdowns aren’t just limited. Several other issues you may also encounter such as drive-line joint failure, transmission failure, clutch setup issue etc. 

However, the above-mentioned are the common ones, which aren’t just mechanical failure but business disruption that cost time and money. 

But routine inspection and timely maintenance can help you avoid such issues in the future. Also, the above-mentioned common truck breakdowns and their preventive measures can maximize your truck efficiency and enhance safety.