PLACING THE VEHICLE IN SERVICE

Before placing a vehicle into service, specific items must be checked to ensure the vehicle is in satisfactory condition. Preventative maintenance checks are designed to prevent mechanical failures, which could result from neglect. These checks cut repair costs by detecting minor mechanical defects which would otherwise develop into major breakdowns.

Items to be checked include:

• Cooling system level and condition
• Fan and compressor drive belts
• Crankcase oil level and leaks
• Batteries, electrolyte level
• Fuel tanks and gauges
• Tires and wheels
• Lights, signals, horn
• Windshield, wipers, mirrors
• Steering
• Emergency equipment
• BRAKES, service and park

See Professional Driver’s Manual for details.

Preventative maintenance – may be assigned to a maintenance crew or to the driver, but one person alone is finally responsible to ensure that the braking system is in operating condition before the vehicle moves: THE DRIVER IS RESPONSIBLE.