Precautions for Safe Truck Driving

Today, the issue of safe truck driving is becoming increasingly serious. Due to the large tonnage of trucks, the consequences of accidents can be considerable. Therefore, there are many issues to pay attention to in daily driving. Below are the issues summarized by the Pacific Automotive website that should be noted when driving trucks in daily life.

Preparation before Departure: Observe, Inspect, Depart

Firstly, carefully observe whether there are any obstacles around the vehicle, whether there are suspicious oil stains or water stains on the ground at the parking position, and whether the tire pressure is sufficient. Tire pressure is a key factor affecting driving safety because tires undergo compression and expansion during driving, especially when tire pressure is low and vehicle speed is high. Low tire pressure can cause tire deformation, especially at high speeds, leading to tire separation or even tire blowouts, resulting in accidents. Therefore, tire pressure should always be maintained within the specified range. In addition, improper tire pressure can increase rolling resistance, leading to increased fuel consumption.

Secondly, before starting the engine, a comprehensive inspection must be carried out. This mainly includes the following:

Check the engine oil and coolant. Engine oil and coolant are the "lifelines" of the engine, so checking them is crucial. Before starting, check the oil level with the dipstick and check the coolant, brake fluid, and battery electrolyte.

Turn the ignition key to the on position (do not start the engine) and check if the data displayed on the instrument panel is normal. Then, check if the small lights, headlights, fog lights, turn signals, malfunction indicator lights, reverse lights, brake lights, and parking lights are working properly.

Check all warning signals, including the horn and alarm. After the inspection is completed, start the engine, with each start lasting less than 10 seconds and a minimum interval of 2 minutes between consecutive starts.

During cold starts, the throttle should be gently pressed and gradually increased. It is strictly forbidden to suddenly press the throttle immediately after starting, as the sudden increase in crankshaft speed during cold starts may prevent oil from being quickly delivered to the bearing position, potentially damaging the bearings. In addition, for Scania truck drivers, there is no need to press the throttle when starting the engine because Scania trucks are equipped with an electronic fuel control system that automatically supplies fuel to the engine. Pressing the throttle may cause the engine speed to increase too rapidly, leading to engine damage.

After starting the engine, pay close attention to changes in the instrument panel, including oil pressure, fuel level, water temperature, air pressure system, and indicator lights.

If driving a tractor-trailer, the driver must carefully check the trailer lights and side reflectors. In the initial stages of vehicle start-up, low-speed deceleration can replace the engine idling warm-up process, or the engine can be quickly brought up to normal operating temperature. You can drive slowly in first and second gears for 10 minutes to warm up the engine. At the same time, develop the habit of starting and driving slowly and safely.

The above are the precautions for safe truck driving. I hope this helps you when driving.