Page 225 - Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual+

chapter 10 — vehicle and air brake pre-trip inspections

Class 3 1. Under hood
pre-trip inspection
As you approach, look under the vehicle for leaks.
Drain the reservoirs (for your road test, you’re only required to drain the
supply reservoir).
driving tip
Check the following:
It’s often easier to spot leaks
and body damage as you ❏ Licence plate • check for licence plate and valid decal
approach your vehicle than
when you’re right beside it.
❏ Fluids • check fluid levels and condition
(for example, colour, smell) including:
engine oil, engine coolant, power steering
fluid and windshield washer fluid
fast fact
❏ Belts • ensure any drive belts have good tension
All reservoirs should be with no cracks, frayed cord or missing teeth
drained daily.
It can be hard to tell the ❏ Hoses • ensure hose connections are secure with
supply reservoir from the no kinks, leaks, cuts, abrasions or cracks
primary and secondary
reservoirs. Checking the
air pressure gauges while ❏ Compressor • ensure lines are securely attached with no
draining the reservoirs kinks, leaks, cuts or abrasions • compressor
may help you to tell which is securely mounted
reservoir is which.
❏ Steering components • check steering shaft, steering box,
tie-rods, idler arm and connections • ensure
they’re secure • no bends or cracks
driving tip
❏ Suspension As you inspect the vehicle, check the
As you circle the vehicle suspension at all wheels:
conducting the pre-trip
inspection, check each tire, • ensure there are no cracked, missing or
wheel and mud flap. Also, broken springs, torsion bars or walking
check suspension and frame, beams • no loose, missing or broken
brake lines, brake chambers U-bolts • if air suspension, no cracked,
and slack adjusters. Measure worn or inoperative airbags • mounts are
air brake chamber pushrod secure
travel.
Also, remove the keys from ❏ Frame As you inspect the vehicle, check the frame:
the ignition to ensure that
nobody tries to move the • ensure there are no cracks, broken
vehicle while you’re checking welds, holes or other damage to the frame
underneath. including cross members and floor

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