Pre- and Post-Trip Checklists

Periodic Inspections and Maintenance, General Information

It is the driver's responsibility to perform an inspection, and ensure the complete road-worthiness of a vehicle, before placing it into service. Commercial vehicles may be subject to inspection by authorized inspectors, and an unsafe vehicle can be taken out of service until the driver or owner repairs it.
Use the following checklists to ensure that vehicle components are in good working condition before each trip. Careful inspections eliminate stops later to fix overlooked or forgotten items.
The checklists in this chapter can be copied and kept as a record that the procedures have been completed. For details on how to inspect each item on the checklists, see the corresponding procedure (step number) in Chapter 23 .

Checklists

NOTE: Checklists in this chapter correspond with the procedures and steps in Chapter 23 , Pre- and Post-Trip Inspections and Maintenance . Your vehicle may not be equipped with all components listed below.

Daily Pretrip Inspection Checklists

See the following tables for a list of procedures that should be performed daily, before the first trip. Place a check mark in the complete ( Comp. ) column to indicate a procedure has been performed.
Inspector
Date
Suspension and Slack Adjusters
Comp.
1
Suspension components
2
Slack adjusters
Wheels and Tires
Comp.
1
Tire condition
2
Tire inflation
3
Rims and wheel components
4
Wheel bearing oil seals and lubrication levels
5
Mud Flaps
Saddle Tank Areas
Comp.
1
Drain air reservoirs (without automatic drain valves)
2
Fuel tank(s) secure
3
Frame rails and crossmembers
4
Visible exhaust components
5
Air intake system
Forward Engine Compartment
Comp.
1
Leakage under engine
2
Engine oil level
3
Engine coolant level
4
Windshield washer reservoir level
Cab
Comp.
1
Reset dash-mounted air intake restriction indicator
2
Air-pressure warning systems
3
Air governor cut-in and cut-out pressures
4
Air pressure build-up time
5
Air system leakage
6
Air pressure reserve
7
Mirrors, windows, windshield
8
Horn, windshield wipers, windshield washers
9
Heater and defroster
10
Interior lights
11
Exterior lights
12
Seat belts and tether belts
13
Fuel level
14
Mirror adjustment
15
Service brakes
16
Backup alarm

Weekly Post-trip Inspection Checklist

See the following table for procedures that should be performed weekly, post-trip. Place a check mark in the complete ( Comp. ) column to indicate a procedure has been performed.
Inspector
Date
Air Intake System
Comp.
1
Air intake restriction indicator
2
Reset air restriction indicator if necessary
Engine Compartment
Comp.
1
Fuel/water separator
2
Steering components
3
Serpentine belts
4
Power steering fluid level
5
Visible engine wiring

Monthly Post-trip Inspection Checklists

See the following tables for procedures that should be performed monthly, post-trip. Place a check mark in the complete ( Comp. ) column to indicate a procedure has been performed.
Inspector
Date
Brake Components
Comp.
1
Brake system components
2
Brake chambers
3
Air brake lines
4
Flex air hoses
5
Brake linings and brake drums
6
Brake lining thickness
Saddle Tank Areas
Comp.
1
Drain air reservoirs (with automatic drain valves)
2
Batteries
Engine Compartment
Comp.
1
Hydraulic clutch reservoir
2
Radiator and heater hoses

Fluids Added

Use the following table to note any fluids that were added during the inspection and maintenance procedures.
Fluids Added During Inspection
Fluid
Amount Added
Wheel Bearing Lubricant
Engine Oil
Power Steering Fluid
Engine Coolant
Windshield Washer Fluid
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid (DOT 4 brake fluid)