Page 19 - 2021-2022 Commercial Drivers Manual

SECTION 2 : DRIVING SAFETY

• Condition of steering system. Right Rear Left Side
» No loose, worn, bent, damaged or miss- • Condition of wheels and rims--no missing, • Check all items as done on right side, plus:

ing parts. bent, or broken spacers, studs, clamps, or lugs. » Battery(ies) (if not mounted in engine com-

» Must grab steering mechanism to test for partment).

looseness. • Condition of tires--properly inflated, valve » Battery box(es) securely mounted to vehicle.

stems and caps OK, no serious cuts, bulges,

• Condition of windshield. » Box has secure cover.

» Check for damage and clean if dirty. tread wear, tires not rubbing each other, and » Battery(ies) secured against movement.

» Check windshield wiper arms for proper nothing stuck between them. » Battery(ies) not broken or leaking.

spring tension. • Tires same type, e.g., not mixed radial and » Fluid in battery(ies) at proper level (except
» Check wiper blades for damage, “stiff” bias types. maintenance-free type).

rubber, and securement. » Cell caps present and securely tightened

• Tires evenly matched (same sizes). (except maintenance-free type).
• Lights and reflectors. • Wheel bearing/seals not leaking. » Vents in cell caps free of foreign material

» Parking, clearance, and identification (except maintenance-free type).
lights clean, operating, and proper color • Suspension.
(amber at front). » Condition of spring(s), spring hangers, Step 6: Check Signal Lights

» Reflectors clean and proper color (amber shackles, and u-bolts.

at front). » Axle secure. • Get In and Turn Off Lights

» Right front turn signal light clean, operat- » Powered axle(s) not leaking lube (gear oil). » Turn off all lights.

ing, and proper color (amber or white on » Condition of torque rod arms, bushings. » Turn on stop lights (apply trailer hand

signals facing forward). » Condition of shock absorber(s). brake or have a helper put on the brake

» If retractable axle equipped, check con- pedal).
Right Side

dition of lift mechanism. If air powered, » Turn on left turn signal lights.

• Right front: check all items as done on left check for leaks. • Get Out and Check Lights

front. » Condition of air ride components.

» Left front turn signal light clean, operat-
• Primary and secondary safety cab locks en- • Brakes. ing and proper color (amber or white on

gaged (if cab-over-engine design). » Brake adjustment. signals facing the front).

Right fuel tank(s). » Condition of brake drum(s) or discs. » Left rear turn signal light and both stop

» Securely mounted, not damaged, or leak- » Condition of hoses--look for any wear due lights clean, operating, and proper color

ing. to rubbing. (red, yellow, or amber).
» Fuel crossover line secure.

» Tank(s) contain enough fuel. • Lights and reflectors. • Get In Vehicle

» Cap(s) on and secure. » Side-marker lights clean, operating, and » Turn off lights not needed for driving.

proper color (red at rear, others amber). » Check for all required papers, trip mani-

• Condition of visible parts. » Side-marker reflectors clean and proper fests, permits, etc.

» Rear of engine--not leaking. color (red at rear, others amber). » Secure all loose articles in cab (they might

» Transmission--not leaking. Rear interfere with operation of the controls or

» Exhaust system--secure, not leaking, not hit you in a crash).
touching wires, fuel, or air lines. • Lights and reflectors. » Start the engine.

» DEF Tank -ensure the level of diesel ex- » Rear clearance and identification lights

haust fluid in the tank is adequate (more clean, operating, and proper color (red at Step 7: Start the Engine and Check
than 1/8 th tank) rear). Test for Hydraulic Leaks. If the vehicle has

» Frame and cross members--no bends or » Reflectors clean and proper color (red at hydraulic brakes, pump the brake pedal three

cracks. rear). times. Then apply firm pressure to the pedal

» Air lines and electrical wiring--secured » Taillights clean, operating, and proper and hold for five seconds. The pedal should
against snagging, rubbing, wearing. color (red at rear). not move. If it does, there may be a leak or other

» Spare tire carrier or rack not damaged (if » Right rear turn signal operating, and problem. Get it fixed before driving. If the ve-

so equipped). proper color (red, yellow, or amber at rear). hicle has air brakes, do the checks described in
» Spare tire and/or wheel securely mounted • License plate(s) present, clean, and secured. Sections 5 and 6 of this manual.

in rack.

» Spare tire and wheel adequate (proper size, • Splash guards present, not damaged, prop- Brake System
properly inflated). erly fastened, not dragging on ground, or • Test Parking Brake(s)

rubbing tires.
• Cargo securement (trucks). » Fasten safety belt

» Cargo properly blocked, braced, tied, • Cargo secure (trucks). » Set parking brake (power unit only).

chained, etc. » Release trailer parking brake (if applicable).

» Header board adequate, secure (if re- • Cargo properly blocked, braced, tied, » Place vehicle into a low gear.
quired). chained, etc. » Gently pull forward against parking brake

» Side boards, stakes strong enough, free Tailboards up and properly secured. to make sure the parking brake holds.

of damage, properly set in place (if so • End gates free of damage, properly secured » Repeat the same steps for the trailer with

equipped). in stake sockets. trailer parking brake set and power unit
» Canvas or tarp (if required) properly se- parking brakes released (if applicable).

cured to prevent tearing, billowing, or • Canvas or tarp (if required) properly secured
blocking of mirrors. to prevent tearing, billowing, or blocking of If it doesn’t hold vehicle, it is faulty; get it

» If oversize, all required signs (flags, lamps, either the rearview mirrors or rear lights. fixed.
and reflectors) safely and properly mount- • If over-length, or over-width, make sure all • Test Service Brake Stopping Action

ed and all required permits in driver’s pos- signs and/or additional lights/flags are safely » Go about five miles per hour.

session. and properly mounted and all required per- » Push brake pedal firmly

» Curbside cargo compartment doors in mits are in driver’s possession. » “Pulling” to one side or the other can mean
good condition, securely closed, latched/ brake trouble.

locked and required security seals in place. • Rear doors securely closed, latched/locked. » Any unusual brake pedal “feel” or delayed

stopping action can mean trouble.
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