Lighting, brake and tire violations are the top. Myths and truths about how to win the inspection game

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Megan McKinney
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1 Myths and truths about how to win the inspection game Lighting, brake and tire violations are the top reasons for DOT maintenance citations. The best way to prepare for your next inspection is to know common equipment-failure points and inspectors priorities. Get started with these tips.

2 Vehicle maintenance issues are, by far, the most common reason for out-of-service violations cited during DOT inspections. Violations in the vehiclemaintenance family account for 78 percent of out-of-service violations for owner-operators and small fleets operating one to nine trucks, according to data collected by RigDig Business Intelligence. Within that family, issues Violation Family Vehicle maintenance Hours of service Driver fitness Hazardous material Controlled substances related to lighting, brakes and tires represent the top three violations, accounting for Most Common Out-of-Service Violations (fleets with 1-9 trucks; for two-week period ending April 4, 2018) Unsafe driving Violation Type Lighting Brakes Tires Emergency equipment Windshield Periodic inspection Load Securement Wheels/studs/clamps Suspension Steering mechanism Percentage of total out-of-service violations Top 10 Maintenance Violations (fleets with 1-9 trucks; for two-week period ending April 4, 2018) Percentage of total maintenance violations percent, 16 percent and 9 percent, respectively, of all maintenance violations for carriers with one to nine trucks. Thorough pre-trip inspections are the best prescription for maintenance-related safety and the most effective defense against citations. The following pages contain some myths and truths regarding lighting, brakes and tires that can help you avoid typical pitfalls. In addition, since you re most likely required to use an electronic logging device now to record hours of service, be sure to choose a solution that provides electronic driver vehicle inspection reports and is integrated with vehicle telematics. Electronic DVIRs improve efficiency and allow you to incorporate photos of any concerns into your reports. Telematics can provide vehicle-health data and alert you to potential maintenance issues in real time.

Myths and truths about lighting violations Myth: DOT inspectors don t have quotas for inspections so light citations are not a top priority. Truth: They have quotas for inspections, not citations.

3 Myths and truths about lighting violations Myth: DOT inspectors don t have quotas for inspections so light citations are not a top priority. Truth: They have quotas for inspections, not citations. So make sure your lights are in perfect working order. They are the easiest for inspectors to spot. During your pre-trip inspections, check both the tractor and trailer for broken or inoperable lights and cracked or missing lenses. Myth: In daylight and during good weather, lights are not a huge priorty. Truth: No matter the road conditions, you have to keep all lights and reflectors clean of dirt, debris and winter road slush. Make sure you visually inspect whether a light is lit, check connections and harnesses. Myth: There s no way to know if my light system will fail. Truth: Be aware that electrical, and therefore lighting, systems become more vulnerable to damage and failure as they age. Research systems currently on the market that can monitor your lights, helping you predict failures. Know flickering or dim lights are usually pre-failure symptoms that can be caused by improper bulbs, damaged wiring or corroded sockets. Myth: There s nothing I can do to improve upon field repairs. Truth: You can remove any corrosion and use heat-shrinkable coverings over splices and repairs. Myth: Lighting systems don t need maintenance. Truth: You need to inspect the electrical system s connectors regularly and replenish grease as needed. Conduct plug-and-socket maintenance every three to six months (or more often, if needed). The growing popularity of magnesium and calcium chlorides in road de-icing operations is making this increasingly necessary. The chemicals are highly corrosive to brass and copper, which are base materials for contact pins used in lighting plugs and sockets. See step-by-step directions here. Myth: LED lights are too expensive and don t help me in the long run. Truth: While upfront costs for LED lights are higher compared to standard lights, their longevity can mean significant savings in labor, downtime and reduced chances of inspection violations. Myth: I don t need to worry about reflectors in an inspection. Truth: You can receive citations for reflectors and conspicuity tape. Don t take the chance.

Myths and truths about brakes Myth: The inspector won t know if I thoroughly checked the brakes in a pre-trip inspection. Truth: There are multiple signs of brake failure inspectors can look for.

4 Myths and truths about brakes Myth: The inspector won t know if I thoroughly checked the brakes in a pre-trip inspection. Truth: There are multiple signs of brake failure inspectors can look for. As part of your pretrip inspections, check for rust streaks, air leaks, oil stains, air lines rubbing on crossmembers or frame rails, bad or missing gladhand seals and brake components that are worn, missing, broken or loose. Know rust streaks on brake components usually mean some components are loose. If the backing plate or wheel-seal area show signs of oil, address the problem immediately to prevent shoe damage. Inspect components such as air chambers for corrosion or severe rust. Check the air system for contamination or water. Look for loose parts such as chambers, the slack adjuster, brackets and air lines that could be hanging low and might hook on road debris. Build pressure in the air system while keeping the parking brakes applied, then walk around the truck to listen for leaks, which are usually audible. Look at the air gauges to see if the compressor is building pressure correctly. Inspect brake-pad thickness visually or measure caliper position with a ruler. Check rotors for cracks every four to six months. Myth: Nobody worries about the trailer brakes. Truth: Don t overlook brakes on trailers, which often don t get adequate maintenance attention in general. If it feels like the trailer is pushing the tractor, you likely have a problem.

5 Tire myths and truths Myth: As long as my tires are adequately inflated at the time of inspection, I don t have to worry about violations. Truth: While it s true that ensuring proper inflation pressure is the most critical tire-related part of the pre-trip inspection, you should know inspectors also look for tire damage. Here are some tips to keep in mind: Always use a calibrated inflation gauge to ensure accuracy. Look for damage to the sidewalls and be alert to tread separation an obvious crack between the tread and casing. Also be on the lookout for any area where cords or fabric protrude from the sidewall or the tread itself. Check for significant bulges, which often indicate an approaching failure. The cords could be broken and forcing the sidewall out. Check the tread with a depth gauge. Be sure to check all parts of each tire since irregular wear of a tire that has good tread in most areas can still lead to a citation and pose safety hazards. Make sure tires are not rubbing against the vehicle or coming in contact with each other (dual tires) because of improper mounting. Remove objects trapped between tread sections. Use a flashlight to inspect tire grooves for cracks or the appearance of cords. These are signs a tire needs to be replaced. Make sure tires have the proper weight ratings for the gross combination weight of the truck and load. Tires carrying more than the rated weight can overheat and fail. Replace the valve stem core each time you service a tire and use high-quality, poly-carbonate or steel stem caps with good rubber seals to help retain pressure. Myth: There s no way to know if my tires are properly inflated while I m driving. Truth: If your truck or trucks are not equipped with tire-monitoring and automatic-inflation systems, consider adding them. These systems are particularly helpful with maintaining pressure on inside duals. Myth: I can repair my own tires or get the repairs done cheaply. Truth: Only if you can perform high-quality tire repairs. Poor repairs account for many tire citations. Small carriers sometimes find shops that will repair a tire that should be discarded or improperly perform a difficult repair. It pays off to use a high-quality shop versus receiving a tire citation.

6 Transflo and ELD For many years, Transflo has been the preferred provider of mobile and document management solutions for commercial drivers. By adding Transflo Telematics, drivers can now organize and manage their whole workday in one app. Transflo Telematics is a comprehensive electronic logging solution that addresses the HOS, DVIR, IFTA reporting, and other data needs of commercial drivers and their fleets. It includes the Transflo ELD T7, a fully integrated telematics portal, and a mobile app in one solution. Features Transflo ELD T7 records and transmits electronic log information Transflo mobile app allows drivers to manage logs and HOS Transflo telematics portal displays fleet, driver, and engine data About Transflo Transflo is the leading mobile, telematics, and business process automation software for the transportation industry. Provided by Pegasus TransTech, the Transflo portfolio digitizes over 400 million documents each year, representing nearly $40 billion in freight bills. It also delivers real-time communications to thousands of fleets, brokers, and commercial vehicle drivers. Organizations throughout the company s client and partner network look to Transflo to increase efficiency, improve cash flow, and reduce costs. Connect with us: (813) sales@transflo.com Pegasus TransTech, LLC. All rights reserved. Transflo and the Transflo logo are trademarks of Pegasus TransTech, LLC. TF

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