What are the seven-steps of the vehicle inspection procedure?
Step 1: Vehicle Overview
Approaching the Vehicle. Notice general condition.
Look for damage or vehicle leaning to one side. Look
under the vehicle for fresh oil, coolant, grease, or fuel
leaks. Check the area around the vehicle for hazards
to vehicle movement (people, other vehicles, objects,
low-hanging wires, limbs, etc.).
• Step 2: Check Engine Compartment
Check That the Parking Brakes Are On and/or Wheels
Chocked.
You may have to raise the hood, tilt the cab (secure
loose things so they don't fall and break something), or
open the engine compartment door.
• Check the following: Engine oil level.
• Coolant level in radiator; condition of hoses.
• Power steering fluid level; hose condition (if so
equipped).
• Windshield washer fluid level.
• Battery connections and tie downs (battery may be
located elsewhere)
• Automatic transmission fluid level (may require engine
to be running).
• Check belts for tightness and excessive wear
(alternator, water pump, air compressor).
• Leaks in the engine compartment (fuel, coolant, oil,
power steering fluid, hydraulic fluid, battery fluid).
• Cracked, worn electrical wiring insulation.
• Air compressor is not leaking air or oil.
• Alternator is securely mounted and wires are
connected.
• Water pump is not leaking.
Lower and secure hood, cab, or engine compartment door.
• Step 3: Start Engine and Inspect Inside the Cab
Get In and Start Engine
• Make sure parking brake is on.
• Put gearshift in neutral (or "park" if automatic).
• With the clutch in start engine; listen for unusual noises.
If equipped, check the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
indicator lights. Light on dash should come on and then
turn off.
Look at the Gauges
• Oil pressure. Should come up to normal within
seconds after engine is started. See Figure 2.5
• Air pressure. Pressure should build from 85psi to100
psi within 45 seconds. Build air pressure to governor
cut-out (usually around 120 - 140 psi.
• Ammeter and/or voltmeter. Should be in normal
range(s).
• Coolant temperature. Should begin gradual rise to
normal operating range.
• Engine oil temperature. Should begin gradual rise to
normal operating range.
• Warning lights and buzzers. Oil, coolant, charging
circuit warning, and antilock brake system lights should
go out right away.
Check Condition of Controls. Check all of the following
for looseness, sticking, damage, or improper setting:
• Steering wheel. Clutch.
• Accelerator ("gas pedal").
• Brake controls.
• Foot brake.
• Trailer brake (if vehicle has one).
• Parking brake.
• Retarder controls (if vehicle has them).
• Transmission controls.
• Interaxle differential lock (if vehicle has one).
• Horn(s).
• Windshield wiper/washer.
• Heaters and defrosters.
• Lights.
• Headlights.
• Dimmer switch.
• Turn signal.
• Four-way flashers.
• Parking, clearance, identification, marker switch(es).
Check Mirrors and Windshield. Inspect mirrors and
windshield for cracks, dirt, illegal stickers, or other
obstructions to seeing clearly. Clean and adjust as
necessary.
Check Emergency Equipment
Check for safety equipment:
• Spare electrical fuses (unless vehicle has circuit
breakers).
• Three red reflective triangles, 6 fuses or 3 liquid burning
flares.
• Properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.
• Safety Belt is not frayed or ripped and latches.
Check for optional items such as:
• Chains (where winter conditions require).
• Tire changing equipment.
• List of emergency phone numbers.
• Accident reporting kit (packet).
Air Brake Check.
Perform the Three (3) parts of the Air Brake check as
part of the In-Cab Inspection.
Reference: Section 5, Section 11
Perform the service brake and parking brake check.
Reference: Section 6, Section 7
• Step 4: Turn Off Engine and Check Lights
Make sure the parking brake is set, turn off the engine,
and take the key with you.
• Turn on headlights (low beams) and four-way
emergency flashers, and get out of the vehicle and
check if they are working.
• Go to front of vehicle and check that low beams are on
and both of the four-way flashers are working.
• Push dimmer switch and check that high beams work.
• Turn off headlights and four-way emergency flashers.
• Turn on parking, clearance, side-marker, and
identification lights.
• Turn on right turn signal.
• Turn on left turn signal:
Parking, clearance, and identification lights are clean,
and proper color (amber at front).
Reflectors are clean and proper color (amber
at front).
• Step 5: Do Walk-around Inspection
Left Front Side
• Driver's door glass should be clean.
• Mirrors are secure and clean.
• Door latches or locks should work properly.
• Left front wheel:
Condition of rim.
Condition of tire.
Tight lug nuts.
Hub oil level is between the add and full mark, no
leaks.
• Left front suspension:
Condition of springs, spring hangers, shackles, u-bolts.
Condition of shock absorber.
Condition of front axle.
Condition of steering system, steering box, hoses and
linkage.
• Left front brake.
Condition of brake drum or disc.
Condition of brake linings or pads
Condition of hoses.
Condition of brake chamber.
Condition of slack adjuster and push-rod.
• Primary and secondary safety cab locks engaged (if
cab-over-engine design).
• Fuel tank(s).
• Spare tire.
• Condition of visible parts:
Rear of engine.
Transmission.
Exhaust system.
Frame and cross members.
Drive Shaft.
Air lines and electrical wiring.
Header board.
Tie downs.
Canvas or tarp.
Cargo compartment doors.
Left Rear Side
• Left rear wheels:
Condition of rims.
Condition of tires.
Condition of spacers.
Tight lug nuts.
Wheel bearing/seals.
• Suspension:
Condition of spring(s), air bags, spring hangers,
shackles, and u-bolts.
Axle secure.
Powered axle(s) not leaking lube (gear oil).
Condition of torque rod arms, bushings.
Condition of shock absorber(s).
If retractable axle equipped, check condition of lift
mechanism. If air powered, check for leaks.
Condition of air ride components.
• Brakes:
Condition of brake drum or disc.
Condition of brake linings or pads.
Condition of hoses.
Condition of brake chamber.
Condition of slack adjuster and push-rod.
• Lights and reflectors:
Side-marker lights clean and proper color (red at rear,
others amber).
Side-marker reflectors clean and proper color (red at
rear, others amber).
Rear
• Lights and reflectors:
Rear clearance and identification lights clean, and
proper color (red at rear).
Reflectors clean and proper color (red at rear).
Taillights clean and proper color (red at rear).
Right and left rear turns are the proper color (red,
yellow, or amber at rear).
• License plate(s).
• Splash guards.
• Tailboards up and properly secured.
• End gates free of damage, properly secured in stake
sockets.
• Rear doors securely closed, latched/locked.
• Trailer
• Lights and reflectors.
• Bulkhead.
• Air and electric lines.
• Apron.
• 5th wheel.
• Release leaver.
• Mounting bolts.
• Landing gear.
• Axles and tires.
• Brake system.
• Doors, ramps and Tie downs.
Right Side
• Check all items as done on left side.
• Step 6: Check Signal Lights
• Turn on headlights and four-way emergency flashers,
and get out of the vehicle and check if they are working.
• Go to rear of vehicle and check that tail lights are on
and both of the four-way flashers are working.
• Turn off headlights and four-way emergency flashers.
• Turn on parking, clearance, side-marker, and
identification lights.
• Turn on right turn signal.
• Turn on left turn signal
• Step 7: Start the Engine and Check Braking System
• Test for air leaks on air brake equipped vehicles.
• Test for Low air warning devices.
• Test that spring brakes set automatically.
• Test for hydraulic leaks on none air brake vehicles.
• Test parking brake.
• Test service brake stopping action.
If you find anything unsafe during the pre-trip inspection,
get it fixed. Federal and state laws forbid operating an
unsafe vehicle.
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