Whenever you read about fleet preventive maintenance (PM), you rarely read about tractor and trailer air conditioning maintenance or repairs.

Evidently, none of those writers ever drove from Los Angeles or Long Beach Port to Phoenix, AZ or Dallas across I-10 in August without an air conditioner. If they had, they would be reminded of the incident and remember that air conditioning PM is a must!

Air Conditioning Preventive Maintenance (PM)

Air conditioning PM should a part of every scheduled maintenance. Although there are no Compliance, Safety, & Accountability CSA severity points for driving with an inoperative air conditioner, operating a property-carrying or passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle (CMV) while drowsy or impaired with fatigue is a ten-point maximum CSA penalty for both the driver and the fleet.

What’s more, the driver could be given an out-of-service (OOS) order, which requires the driver to rest a specific amount of time before they can continue their delivery or passenger route.

There’s nothing more effective at keeping the driver alert and awake than a fully functioning air conditioner.

What Your Fleet Should Do

Whether you’re a large fleet or a small owner-operator with a few trucks or buses, you should ensure that the vehicle’s air conditioner is checked and maintained during every scheduled maintenance.

Keeping your drivers comfortable and trucks and buses running is essential for any fleet operation.

Plus, when a total shut down of your truck’s air conditioning occurs, repairs are typically more expensive and take significantly longer to correct if parts are readily available. Good PM almost always results in lower operating costs.

Create a plan to ensure air conditioner maintenance:

  • Know and follow the manufacturer’s recommended interval schedule for tune-ups and services.
  • Change fluids and filters on schedule.
  • Quickly address system concerns.
  • Take your vehicles to Ultimate Fleet, the trained professionals for scheduled maintenance.

Although correct PM does not guarantee your air conditioner will not give out at an inopportune time, it will significantly lower the chance of that happening.

Call the Trained Professionals at Ultimate Fleet Repair to Schedule Your Next AC PM

 Call (651) 454-8775 today. Fleet and owner-operators can use our convenient contact form to schedule maintenance at your facility, ours or at the roadside with our mobile repair team.