Truck - Pre-Trip Inspection

Trucking is a necessary and vital component to any modern economy, ensuring goods and materials get where they’re needed when they should. But before any drive, you need to know how to properly inspect the truck to ensure it will get you and your cargo to the destination safely and efficiently. We here at California Truck Centers want to help you keep your timetable and stay healthy, so we’ve put together some tips for performing a pre-trip inspection for your truck below. To learn more, or to see the trucks we have for sale, contact our stores throughout the Golden State of California, today!

Sides and Rear

First, you’ll be inspecting the exterior, starting with the sides and rear of the vehicle. Examine all hoses, the exhaust, and the catwalk (if there is one) for any signs of excessive wear and tear or loose connections. Check the suspension for anything loose or dangling.

Tires

Next, examine the treads on every single tire to ensure none are balding. If the tread is overly worn, you may need a replacement—and if the tread is wearing out unevenly on the tires, you may have an alignment issue. You should also check for cracks of embedded debris that can leak air and ensure all tires have the psi recommended in your owner’s manual. 

Under the Hood

Check all the fluids in your engine to ensure they’re full and in good condition. That includes:

• Power steering fluid
• Coolant
• Windshield-wiper solution

The fuel and oil are important enough to mention on their own. Always top off your gas tank before a trip, even if it’s supposed to be a quick run.

For the oil, pull the dipstick, wipe it clean, then dip it in and inspect it to ensure you have enough oil. If it’s not an amber color, or if it’s sludgy with specks in it, you’ll need to replace it and check your oil filter. 

The Cab

Finally, it’s time to check out the interior. Test out your brakes to ensure there aren’t unusual vibrations or noises, then check all your lights and signals to ensure they’re operating properly. Verify that your windshield wipers work smoothly and that you have a fire extinguisher handy in the cab in case of an emergency.

If you find any serious issues during your inspection and you aren’t certain that you can handle it on your own, never hesitate to reach out to a professional service center. Any of our service departments at California Truck Centers will be happy to help get your truck up and running so you and yours will have a safe and smooth journey.

We hope this guide helps you do just that! If you have any questions, or you’re just looking for your own truck, feel free to call us up. We proudly serve the people of California—let us serve you today!