Why you should start your day with a vehicle walkaround…

When a truck is not in service for any reason it costs a business money. It therefore pays to ensure vehicles are properly maintained, preventing unwanted surprises from occurring during an important delivery or journey. 

Vehicle care starts with the walkaround check, undertaken by the driver before they leave on a job. On the outside of the truck, specific attention should be paid to the condition of the brakes, tyres, lights and mirrors. While internally fluids, oils and pressures are also key elements that potentially effect engine performance. Anything that might appear out of the ordinary, such as tyre wear or headlight damage should be noted down and the information passed on. 

What might seem trivial, could without intervention potentially lead to a far bigger issue. For example, tyres lacking sufficient tread, or the correct inflation mean longer stopping distances, worse performance in the wet and can be detrimental to the truck’s handling. 

So, the walkaround check is vital, even more so, in an age where there is so much technology on vehicles. Computers, sensors, and cameras can help with steering, emergency braking and parking, but they won’t let a driver know that a headlamp is broken, or that the registration plate is not secured correctly.

When there is a trailer behind the cab, the walkaround becomes even more important. Vehicle loading and weight distribution should be checked carefully to ensure there is no danger to other road users or impact on the truck’s performance.

Find out more about Texaco Delo products for commercial vehicles here.