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Driver/Fuel area
Fuel tank:Make sure the fuel tank and caps are secure.
Make sure there is no damage to the tank.
Leaks:Check for any leaks from the fuel tanks.
Underbody of vehicle
Driveshaft:Make sure that the driveshaft is not bent or
cracked. Ensure all driveshaft couplings are
secure.
Exhaust system:Make sure the outside visible parts are
securely mounted. Make sure there are no
cracks, holes or severe dents.
Frame:Check for cracks or bends in longitudinal
frame members. Make sure there are no loose,
cracked, bent, broken or missing
crossmembers or crossmember fasteners.
Maintain adequate clearance between all parts of the exhaust
system and all hoses, wires and lines for engine cooling, brake
system, fuel system, power steering system and electrical system, Heat
damage to hoses, wires or lines may cause vehicle malfunction that
could result in property damage, personal injury or death.
Rear of vehicle
Air/Electric lines:
Make sure that air hoses are not cut, cracked,
chafed or worn. Listen for audible air leaks,
Make sure air and electrical lines are not
tangled, crimped or pinched or being dragged
against any truck parts. Electrical line insulation
should not be cut, cracked, chafed or worn.
None of the air or electrical line should be
spliced or taped. Check for corrosion on pins
and in electrical sockets to ensure continuity
and reduced heat build-up potential.
Deck plate:Make sure deck plate is clean, securely bolted
to the frame and clear of loose objects.
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Rear of vehicle
Signal/Brake lights:Make sure both brake lights illuminate when
the brake pedal is applied. Also, make sure
each signal flashes. Make sure that four-way
flashers work properly.
Lights, reflectors:Make sure all lights illuminate and are clean.
Make sure headlights function on both high
and low beams. Make sure reflectors are clean
and unbroken and of proper color (red on
rear, amber elsewhere). Make sure the running
lights are also clean and unbroken. Rear
running lights must be checked separately
from signal, flasher and brake lights.
Tractor - coupling system
Mounting bolts:Check for loose or missing mounting brackets,
clamps, bolts or nuts. Both fifth wheel and
slide mounting must be solidly attached.
Platform:Check for cracks or breaks in the platform
structure.
Safety latch:Make sure safety latch is engaged.
Release arm:Make sure safety latch is in the engaged
position and that any safety latch is in place.
Kingpin/Apron:Make sure kingpin is not bent or worn. Also
make sure that the apron lies flat on the fifth
wheel skid plate and that the visible part of
the apron is not bent, worn, cracked or
broken.
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Rear springs
Springs:Check for broken or shifted leaves or leaves
that are in contact, or nearly contacting a tire,
rim, brake drum, frame or body components.
Check for missing or broken leaves in the leaf
spring.
Spring mounts:Check for cracked or broken spring hangers,
broken, missing or loose bolts, missing or
damaged bushings, broken, loose or missing
axle mounting parts.
Torsion, shocks:Make sure torsion arm is not cracked, broken
or missing. Check the shock absorber for
cracks or leaks; there should be no missing or
broken mounting bolts or worn bushings.
Rear brakes
Hoses:Checked for cracked, worn or frayed hoses.
Make sure all couplings are secured.
Chambers:Make sure brake chambers are not cracked or
dented and that they are securely mounted.
Slack adjuster:Check for broken, loose or missing parts; the
angle between the push rod and adjuster arm
should be approximately 90 degrees when the
brakes are applied. When pulled by hand, the
push rod should not move more than
approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm).
Drum:Make sure there are no cracks, dents or holes
and no loose or missing bolts. Make sure brake
linings are not worn or dangerously thin or
contaminated by lubricant.
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Rear wheels
Spacers:Make sure dual wheels are evenly separated
and that tires are not touching one another.
Rims:Check for damaged or bent rims. Rims should
not have welding repairs and no rust trails that
indicate it is loose on the wheel.
Lug nuts:Make sure all lug nuts are present and not
loose (look for rust trails around the lug nuts).
There should be no cracks radiating from the
lug bolt holes or distortion of the bolt holes.
TRAILER
If you are pulling a trailer, an inspection of the trailer similar to that of
the tractor should be done. Such an inspection should follow trailer
manufacturer recommendation and should include at a minimum: general
condition, landing gear, doors, sides, lights, reflectors, suspension,
brakes, tires, wheels, cargo placement, stability and tie-downs.
TRANSMISSION
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, regularly
check the transmission’s neutral start switch. The engine should only
start in the N (Neutral) or P (Park) positions.
If the unit starts in gear and/or the neutral start switch is not
functioning correctly, the vehicle may inadvertently move which
could result in property damage, personal injury or death.
Check the transmission fluid level and shift linkage for proper operation.
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WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
Service engine soon:If this light
illuminates while driving, it is a
possible indication that one of the
engine’s emission control systems
has failed.
Check suspension (if equipped):
Illuminates when there is a fault in
the electronic subsystem of the air
suspension.
Stop engine (if equipped):This
light is used in conjunction with the
electronic engine control.
Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual for specific information regarding
this feature.
If the engine shuts down, it can be restarted and operated for 30
seconds at a time or until the problem is corrected. Refer toEngine
shutdown systemin theDrivingchapter.
Drivers of electronically controlled engines should know the
extent of warning engine shutdown system before operating the
vehicle. This information can be obtained from your dealer.
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
STOP
ENGINE
Instrumentation
Instrumentation
21
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Brake reserve system warning
(if equipped):Illuminates to
indicate normal Hydromax booster
reserve system activation when the
engine is OFF and the service brake
pedal is applied.
This light may also illuminate momentarily if the engine is running and
the driver turns the steering wheel fully in one direction while braking.
If the light remains on while the engine is running, this indicates
inadequate hydraulic booster pressure or reserve pump system failure.
Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible and seek service immediately.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, this light will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position when the engine is not running. If
the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek
service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after starting the
vehicle indicates a pressure differential in the master cylinder and the
brake system should be inspected immediately by your dealership.
If equipped with an air brake system, the warning light stays on until the
air pressure builds up to 60 psi (414 kPa). If the air pressure drops
below 60 psi (414 kPa) during operation, the remaining brake system is
still operational but the stopping distance will be greater.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
BRAKE
ABS
Instrumentation
22
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Trailer ABS brake system (if
equipped):Illuminates briefly when
the engine is powered-up and only
when a PLC trailer or a PLC
diagnostic tool is connected. If the
light remains on after the vehicle is started, continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system serviced immediately.
Parking brake warning:
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. Also
illuminates when the parking brake
is engaged. If the brake warning
lamp does not illuminate at these
times, seek service immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the Power Park (air-operated parking
brake) option:If after setting the parking brake on your vehicle the
park brake warning lamp begins to blink, this may indicate a failure in
the parking brake system. Seek service from your dealer immeadiately.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Check trans (Allison automatic
transmission):The lamp will
illuminate for several seconds after
the ignition is turned to the ON
position. Illumination of this light indicates that a problem has been
detected and shifting may be restricted. Depending upon the severity of
the problem, the read-out digit on the shifter display may be blank.
Operation may continue in order to reach service assistance. The ECU
may not respond to shift selector requests, since operating limitations
are being placed on the transmission, i.e. upshifts and downshifts may be
restricted. Direction changes will not occur.
Refer to the Transmission Operator’s Manual for more information.
P
BRAKE
CHECK
TRANS
Instrumentation
23
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Range inhibit:Illuminates when
the transmission is not engaged in
the selected gear. The warning light
will go off when the gearshift lever
is adjusted in to the appropriate gear.
Refer to the Transmission Operator’s Manual for more information.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Wait to start:Indicates the air
intake heater is in operation and
special starting procedures are
required. Refer to theDriving
chapter.
If equipped with an air intake heater, DO NOT use ether or any
other starting fluids. The use of starting fluids (ether) in an
engine equipped with an air intake heater could result in damage
and/or personal injury.
Water in fuel (if equipped):
During refueling it is possible for
water-contaminated diesel fuel to be
pumped into your fuel tank. Your
vehicle fuel system is equipped with
a fuel filter/water separator to remove water from the fuel. The indicator
light illuminates when the fuel filter/water separator has a significant
quantity of water, or when the ignition key is switched to the START
position. If the light illuminates when the engine is running, stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible, shut off the engine and drain the filter
bowl. Allowing water to stay in the system could result in extensive
damage to, or failure of, the fuel injection system.
To drain the fuel filter/water separator (refer toMaintenance and
Specificationschapter for procedure), rotate the valve at the bottom of
the filter assembly allowing water to drain from the system. Close the
valve upon completion.
RANGE
INHIBIT
WAIT
TO
START
WATER
IN
FUEL
Instrumentation
24