‘Quality of truck maintenance key to road safety’

The wear and tear on trucks on our roads is an expensive reality, but their maintenance is crucial as it has a direct impact on road safety, the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) said.

MIWA is a proud associate of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).

So, what specific parts should truck owners be keeping an eye on?

Dewald Ranft, chairman of MIWA said, “What’s important to understand is that wear and tear will vary from truck to truck, although there are some general parts that should always be checked.”

Marius Swart, Workshop Manager: Truck Rental Imperial Logistics, added that tyres are a very big maintenance expense, however, with proper tyre maintenance, which includes regular tyre surveys, running tyres at the correct pressures and in-time casing rotation, the cost can be kept in line with budget.

Suren Sewcharren, owner of Hino Tech Motors, a MIWA member and specialist in truck servicing, added that unfortunately the poor quality of the roads is also a contributing factor to the wear and tear of tyres.

Marius went on to say that there is a move away from commercial vehicles operating with manually adjusted clutches.

He further explained that these clutches require regular adjustments to ensure that the correct release bearing free play (i.e. the play on the clutch pedal from when you start engaging the clutch pedal until the clutch starts releasing) is maintained to avoid premature clutch failure.

“Experienced drivers would detect incorrect free play and would request a clutch adjustment from the nearest workshop. Currently we are buying more fully automatic trucks or automatic manual transmission (AMT) trucks, which come with their own maintenance requirements. So far they seem to be more cost effective.”

Another major wear item is brakes.

“The braking system is obviously a crucial element and one that requires special attention,” Suren said.

The drive train consisting of the engine, gearbox and diff need to be maintained as per the manufacturer. Changing oils needs to be done as prescribed with the correct grade of oil with filters approved for the specific application. Suren added that the fuel injection system also needs regular attention.

“What’s also key is the quality of fuel as this will have a direct impact on the running and wear and tear on the vehicle.”

Vishal Premlall, director of the South African Petroleum Retailers Association (SAPRA), also an associate of the RMI, said there are wholesalers and resellers underhandedly selling dirty diesel and petrol to the trucking market.

“We cannot stress the importance of using premium fuel from reputable retailers.”

Servicing vehicles using the same service sheet as the manufacturer to ensure the replacement, inspection and adjustment of components when required is key.

Dewald said truck owners need to implement strict policies regarding the servicing of vehicles on time.

“There are thousands of trucks on our roads every day. We also see many truck accidents that could have been avoided if these vehicles were properly maintained. Make sure you budget for wear and tear and choose a reliable and accredited MIWA workshop to keep your trucks in tip-top condition,” he concluded.