Due to the COVID-19-influnced lockdown, many commercial vehicle operators have their vehicles standing in truck yards for extended times. What are some of the maintenance issues to consider during such a long downtime period? Capital Equipment News speaks to experts from some of the leading truck manufacturers for handy tips to keep stationary vehicles in top condition. By Munesu Shoko.
If you are not transporting essential goods during the national lockdown, you would probably have your commercial vehicles parked for extended times, until such a time they are permitted to hit the road again. A panel of experts helps us unpack some useful tips to help fleet owners look after their mission-critical assets during the lockdown period and beyond.
If a truck is stationary for a long time, what are some of the key maintenance issues owners should consider? Marc Mynhardt, branch manager at Powerstar Centurion, advises that transport operators should use the downtime wisely by inspecting for any faults on their vehicles, such as water, oil and air leakages. He also advises that the engine must be run regularly to keep it lubricated and cycle the battery.
Pieter le Roux, senior manager, Uptime Services at Volvo Trucks Southern Africa, says that a functional test should be conducted every four weeks, where the truck’s electrical, mechanical and hydraulic functions are checked by turning the switches and controls on and off.
“Operators should also do road testing at least every two weeks. If there are some vehicles in a fleet that are operational, it is advised that vehicles are rotated to ensure most vehicles are operational at least once in every two weeks,” says Le Roux. If not possible, he advises operators to run the engine to operating temperature (HPDI) for 15 – 30 minutes every two weeks. “Start the truck and leave it to idle it reaches operating temperature,” he says.
Le Roux also urges transport operators to change the engine oil and engine oil filters at least once a year. Although it is highly unlikely that a vehicle will go a year without an oil change in normal operating conditions, it should be done annually, and becomes a necessity if a truck has been stationary for the entire period.
“It’s also advisable to check that bags are secured on vent stacks and the hydraulic reservoir breather, and replace as needed. Inspection should be carried out every two weeks and only change or action if found that the items are not in order,” adds Le Roux.
“Ensure that the vehicle is parked in Neutral and not in ‘M’ or ‘A’ mode. If the vehicle is parked in gear and it loses air pressure, it will be difficult to start it normally,” he says.
Gerhard van Staden, national service manager at Scania Southern Africa, says companies should avoid heavy loads on the drivetrain, such as loaded trailers, as they exert unnecessary pressure on the vehicle.
In addition, he says, if possible, service personnel should ensure that the exhaust outlet is covered with a cloth. “This will prevent insects and small rodents from getting in the exhaust outlet. However, it is important to remember to remove the cloth before one starts the vehicle after storage. Drivers can leave themselves a note on the steering wheel as a reminder,” says Van Staden.
He outlines several other things to look out for: “Wiper blades are an essential safety feature on vehicles. To prevent the rubber of the blades sticking to the windshield, place plastic wrap under the blades first. Also check engine oil and coolant levels before start up. Top up fuel tanks before parking long term to prevent condensation from accumulating inside the tank,” he says.
Kgaogelo Sebothoma, head of customer services at FUSO Trucks Southern Africa, says if the vehicle is to be stored for a period of more than a month, wipers can be folded away from the windscreen, while the battery needs to be removed and stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
He says it’s also ideal to keep the overall vehicle tidy by cleaning it periodically. “It is also important to check oil and coolant levels, at least once every month. If the vehicle will be stored in an open area, close all air inlets and set the heating system to ‘off’.”
Routine maintenance
One of the burning questions is whether stationary vehicles should defer their routine maintenance schedules due to non-activity. Sebothoma is of the view that whether stationary or not, routine maintenance should always be adhered to as per stipulated kilometre intervals or 12 months from the date of the last service, whichever comes first. Regular servicing increase the safety, reliability and lifespan of the vehicle.
For Le Roux, if the vehicle has not been stationary for longer than six months, the schedules will continue as normal. He says for Volvo customers, vehicles on VOSP (Volvo Optimised Service Planning) schedules will still follow the set services in the schedule, then after the first service the schedule will be re-planned.
Although the vehicles are stationary and therefore don’t require the normal regular maintenance, Van Staden believes it is an opportune time to go through the trucks to ensure they are 100% mechanically sound. This will ensure maximum uptime when work normalises.
Powerstar doesn’t offer maintenance plans yet, but Mynhardt advises the company’s customers that it’s important to keep all components lubricated during this time so that no issues occur when the vehicles are back on the road after a long period of standing.
Battery care
One of the components that suffers most due to non-starting of the vehicle is the battery, thus much effort should be devoted to battery care during long periods of vehicle downtime.
“Disconnect the battery and grease the terminals if the vehicle will be stationary for a period of more than one week,” says Sebothoma.
“If the vehicle will be stationary for more than one month, remove the battery from the vehicle and store in a cool dry place at temperatures of between 0°C and 30°C. The battery should be stored in an upright position. Also keep the battery charge above 12,55 V at all times. If the battery voltage falls below 12.1 V, it is an indication that the battery is damaged and needs replacement,” adds Sebothoma.
According to Van Staden, it’s important to ensure that the battery master switch is switched off during storage. “Also top up the battery electrolyte level with distilled water before the storage period. This is only applicable to maintainable batteries. Ensure that battery terminals, battery casing and battery box are acid free. Soapy water will neutralise any battery acid deposits. One must also slow-charge batteries at least every two weeks,” he says.
Le Roux agrees, saying that a battery check should be done every two weeks. This can be done by a multi-meter or turning the ignition on and then verifying on the driver display cluster. Charged batteries should be 24 V combined or more, he says.
Le Roux also urges responsible personnel to practice the required safety measures when working with batteries. “Avoid sparks or open flames near batteries as these may ignite the explosive oxyhydrogen gas that is formed when charging a battery. Also remember that electrolyte contains strong, corrosive sulphuric acid and always wear the necessary protective equipment such as protective goggles, gloves and clothes,” he says.
“Do not tilt the flooded batteries more than 30°. If a body part comes in contact with battery acid, wash thoroughly with soap and plenty of water. Always remember that a single battery should be around 12,75 V fully charged (combined 25,5 V) and it is advised that if a single battery dips below 12,5 V, it should be connected to a charger,” he adds.
Paint work
Another important consideration during a long period of downtime is preserving the paintwork of the vehicle. Van Staden says a vehicle’s paint job can be damaged if it is parked outdoors due to the dust, grime and moisture. “To prevent possible damage, clean the exterior thoroughly. Make sure you remove any dirt, dust or grime stuck to the vehicle before applying a coat of polish and wax. This will help to keep moisture away,” he says.
Mynhardt says it’s important to park vehicles either under the roof or under any form of protection. However, he admits that with the size of commercial vehicles, space is not always available. “So I suggest that the truck be cleaned after every operation and also once every two weeks when standing in the open,” he says.
Sebothoma agrees that keeping the overall vehicle clean is of significance. He, however, advises not to use any organic solvent such as thinner or gasoline for cleaning. These will damage painted surfaces and cause discoloration and cracks in plastic components.
“When washing the vehicle, pay particular attention to the wheel housings and the underside of the chassis, especially if the vehicle has been driven in a coastal area or on a road covered with an anti-icing agent. In addition, pay particular attention to the wheel housings and the underside of the chassis if the vehicle is often used to carry marine products or coal and is thus prone to the effects of seawater or to serious paint damage. If anti-icing agent is left on the vehicle, it will stick to the vehicle and become impossible to remove with normal washing,” says Sebothoma.
He adds that waxing the vehicle at least once every month is recommended. The best timing for waxing is just after washing the vehicle when the paint surface temperature is lower than the body temperature. “Avoid waxing under direct sunlight. Waxing hot paintwork may cause stains. Do not use a wax containing abrasive compound; it will damage painted surfaces and destroy their original luster,” adds Sebothoma.
He adds that rust or corrosion on the underside or chassis of the vehicle can cause accidents or breakdowns. “After washing the vehicle, check for rust and for rust perforation. Remove any rust using a wire brush, then perform paint repair and/or apply rust inhibitor. If you find rust perforation, have corrective work performed promptly by your nearest authorised FUSO distributor or dealer,” says Sebothoma.
Le Roux says Volvo Trucks are designed to operate in tough conditions, from below freezing conditions to the heat of the desert. He believes the paintwork on these trucks should be up to the task during the lockdown-influenced downtime. “We do, however, encourage a vehicle to be parked under a roof when possible,” he says.
Tyre care
In terms of tyre care, Van Staden advises that tyre pressure should be checked constantly and make sure that the tyres are at the correct pressure all the time. He says proper inflation helps prevent cracking and flat spots. “Check the valves and valve caps for leaks and that the valve caps fit properly,” he says.
Tyre pressure, says Le Roux, should be monitored after every two weeks. It is advisable, he says, to keep tyres out of direct sunlight. Direct UV to tyres for extended periods of time can damage the tyre and shorten its lifespan. “When doing a test run every two weeks, it will be a good idea to move the vehicle slightly forward/backwards every time. This ensures that not one specific side of the tyre is in contact with the ground the entire time,” says Le Roux.
The same view is shared by Mynhardt, who says the best way is to keep tyres out of the sun as much as possible. With time, he says, exposure to direct sunlight for extended periods may affect the life of the tyre. “Also check all tyres regularly as some might have slow punctures or leaks and fix them before they are completely deflated to avoid complete removal of the wheel to either replace or repair,” says Mynhardt.
Sebothoma advises that tyres should be inflated with about 0,5 bar extra pressure above the specified tyre pressure, especially if the vehicle will be parked for longer periods. However, correct tyre pressure should be inflated according to manufacturer’s specification when the vehicle is getting back on the road.
Parting shots
In conclusion, Van Staden says if one has insurance for their vehicle, they should not cancel for the period of the lockdown. “Not only will this impact on any no-claims rewards, you may be flouting the terms of your lease or purchase agreements if you cancel now,” he says.
Le Roux assures Volvo customers that the Volvo Trucks Uptime Services team (Service Contracts and Telematics) is there to assist customers during this difficult time. “We are there to support customers 100% during this time,” he says.
Mynhardt says it’s important for fleet operators to ensure that all the necessary safety precautions on the truck are available. He reasons that the tough economic conditions as a result of the lockdown may lead to increased theft, and transport companies should be on the lookout for theft of diesel, rims and tyres, among others.
“We suggest that truck owners make sure that they have anti-syphons on their diesel tanks, lock nuts on the wheels and remove all loose items outside the truck, such as fire extinguishers and spare wheels and lock them up in a safe place. Trucks are standing in large quantities and this makes it easy for theft to take place, so owners should prioritise safety and security precautions,” he says.
Sebothoma advises that vehicles should always be parked on the flattest available surface, and the hand brake should be released. “Avoid parking on a slope. If it is unavoidable to park the vehicle on a slope, firmly apply the parking brake while fully depressing the brake pedal. On vehicles with a DUONIC transmission, place the gearshift lever in the “P” position, and choke the wheels,” concludes Sebothoma.
