Maintenance ‘a must’ for trucks ahead of the festive season
The Motor Industry Workshop Association commented on the importance of the maintenance of trucks ahead of the festive season.
With an increase in spending and higher demand during the festive season, there’s no doubt that more trucks will be on the road.
“Trucks provide a vital service for consumers. Unfortunately, poorly serviced trucks or trucks not being serviced at all are a major contributor to road deaths at this time of year,” said Dewald Ranft, Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a constituent association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).
Dewald is appealing to all truck owners to ensure their vehicles are in top condition before the December rush begins.
Derick Horrmann, owner of Don-Der Truck Repairs, said the regular servicing of trucks ensures good fuel consumption, prevents the oil filter from clogging up and collapsing and is an opportunity to check whether the oil has been diluted with diesel fuel, which would point to a faulty injector solenoid.
“All internal moving parts that are oil-dependent for lubrication, plus brakes and clutch are subject to severe wear-and-tear.”
He explained that trucks should be serviced as per the truck manufacturer’s schedules.
“Most trucks are serviced at 30 000km intervals, but others have extended intervals of 40 000kms if synthetic oil is used.”
Dewald said it’s important to use an accredited repairer, and Derick agreed.
“An accredited servicing workshop will ensure peace of mind as they will be using premium quality oil and good replacement parts.”
Over and above regular servicing, he urges truck owners to also keep tyre pressure in accordance with specifications, and to check cooling systems and intake piping for leaks and cracks.
Dewald is also appealing to all motorists to be patient and courteous to truck drivers on the roads.
“Motorists need to realise that trucks are not cars. The handling of a truck, the speed, and how the truck is affected by external forces is vastly different to that of a car. While it can be frustrating to be stuck behind a truck, respect the road rules and only overtake when it is appropriate. Give a truck room to manoeuvre and keep a safe following distance. We all need to do what we can to reduce accidents on our roads over this season with the increased volume of traffic on our roads,” he concluded.
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