PM checklist
Summer Truck Maintenance Checklist
Summer maintenance focuses on heat stress, tire pressure, cooling capacity, belts, batteries, and driver comfort systems.
If this checklist creates repair items, record them in the maintenance log template and use the PM schedule generator to plan the next due mileage.
Printable Checklist
| Item | What to check | Why it matters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling package | Inspect radiator, charge-air cooler, fan, belts, hoses, coolant level, and debris blockage. | Heat and grades expose weak cooling systems. | Investigate repeated fan-on complaints. |
| Tire heat risk | Check pressures cold, tread, sidewalls, valve stems, and dual spacing. | Heat increases tire failure exposure. | Compare against tire program targets. |
| A/C and cab comfort | Check A/C performance, blower, cabin filter, sleeper HVAC, and belt condition. | Driver rest and alertness suffer when cab cooling fails. | Schedule before peak heat. |
| Batteries | Inspect batteries, hold-downs, corrosion, and charging system after hot-weather starts. | Heat shortens battery life and reveals weak cells. | Track jump starts. |
| Fluids and belts | Review coolant, oil, power steering, washer fluid, belt tension, and hose softness. | Heat turns marginal rubber and fluids into downtime. | Record top-offs. |
How Often to Use This Checklist
Use before sustained hot weather and before long high-load routes.
Common Mistakes
- Checking boxes without writing mileage, unit number, defect notes, and follow-up status.
- Treating a visual walkaround as a qualified mechanical inspection.
- Skipping records for small defects that later become repeated repair issues.
- Filing paper logs where drivers, dispatch, and maintenance cannot retrieve them quickly.
Records to Keep
- Completed checklist with date, odometer, driver or inspector name, and unit number.
- Defect correction notes, invoices, parts receipts, and photos when useful.
- PM due mileage, next inspection target, and any out-of-service decision notes.
Use the print button to print the checklist or save it as a PDF from the browser.
Related resources
Sources and Methodology
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Part 393 - Equipment safety rules used as a reference point for inspection-sensitive systems such as brakes, lamps, coupling devices, and tires.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Part 396 - Maintenance, inspection, repair, and recordkeeping requirements for motor carriers.
- Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports and Roadside Inspection Basics - Public FMCSA material used for inspection and recordkeeping context.