To be sure your vehicle is ready to operate, conduct a pre-trip inspection
at the beginning of each work period. Follow the steps listed in this
section to assure a proper vehicle inspection procedure. The pages in
this section may be produced locally and used on a regular basis.
VEHICLE INSPECTION INFORMATION
Note:Always make sure the parking brake is applied before starting the
engine.
Engine compartment (with engine stopped)
Engine oil level:Use the engine oil dipstick to verify that the
engine oil level is between the FULL and ADD
marks.
Engine coolant
level:Look through the plastic reservoir or the clear
sight glass on the reservoir, depending upon
vehicle equipment, and make sure the fluid is
within the minimum and maximum fluid level
range as marked on the reservoir.Do not
remove pressure cap until the coolant has
cooled.
Power steering fluid:Verify that the fluid level is between the full
and refill marks.
Brake fluid (master
cylinder):Remove the master cylinder caps and inspect
the fluid level. The full mark is at the bottom
of the opening of the port ring.
Hydraulic clutch
fluid:Check for adequate amount of hydraulic clutch
fluid. Fluid level should be at the step of the
reservoir; refer toClutch fluid/linkage
adjustmentsin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
Belts (Fan,
alternator, water
pump and A/C
compressor):Check for glazing, fraying or cracking. There
should be no more than five - seven cracks per
rib per inch.
Any leaks:Check for signs of fluid puddles, dripping fluid
on the ground under the engine or the
underside of the engine.
Vehicle inspection guide
Vehicle inspection guide
11
Engine compartment (with engine stopped)
HVAC air inlet:Check for debris, leaves, etc. that may have
collected on the HVAC air inlet grille or inside
the exterior module as this may cause reduced
system performance.
HVAC fresh air filter
(if equipped):Periodically check the HVAC fresh air filter for
cleanliness.
Exercise great caution when working on vehicle equipped with
an automatic fan clutch. The fan starts in motion only after the
engine coolant reaches a predetermined temperature or the refrigerant
pressure (if equipped with air conditioning) reaches a predetermined
setting. The fan will start at these point with no advance warning.
Never reach near, or permit objects to protrude into, the fan blade
radius while the engine is running as this could result in vehicle
damage, personal injury or death.
Engine starting (parking brake applied)
Safety/Emergency
equipment:Prior to entering the cab, verify that the
vehicle is equipped with spare electrical fuses
(if used), three red reflective triangles, a
properly charged and rated fire extinguisher
and wheel chocks. Walk around the vehicle
and check that all steps and grab handles,
inside and out as well as behind, are tight and
clean. Use extreme caution and a three-point
stance at all times. Check door latches for
positive closing, latching and locking.
Starting the engine:Verify the parking brake is set. Depress the
clutch (if equipped with a manual
transmission) and verify the transmission is in
neutral. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission should be in N (Neutral).
When the WAIT TO START indicator light in
the instrument cluster turns off, turn the key
to START.
Vehicle inspection guide
12
Engine starting (parking brake applied)
Oil pressure builds:Make sure engine oil pressure is building to
normal operating range.
Air chime sounds (if
equipped with air
compressor):The low air pressure warning chime should
sound immediately after the engine starts but
before the compressor has built up pressure.
The low air pressure warning chime should
stop when the air pressure reaches 70 psi (483
kPa) (or more). Let the air pressure build to
governed cut-out pressure, which should occur
between 115–130 psi (793–896 kPa).
Accelerator:Depress the accelerator and verify that it
operates smoothly without any binding or
irregular feel. Remove your foot from the
pedal and make sure the engine returns to idle
speed immediately.
Ammeter/Voltmeter:Check the gauge to see if the alternator is
charging.
Steering linkage
free play:Check for excessive free play in the steering
linkages. The steering wheel should have less
than 2 inches (5 cm) of free play at rim of
steering wheel.
Hydraulic brake
check:Pump the brake pedal three times, then apply
firm pressure to the pedal and hold it for five
seconds. The pedal should move (due to the
HydroMax pump operation); if it does not,
there may be a leak or another problem. Do
not drive the vehicle until the problem is
fixed.
Vehicle inspection guide
13
Engine starting (parking brake applied)
Air brake check:Check the air brakes in the following manner
(Chock the wheels, if necessary. Push in the
parking brake and on tractors, also push in the
tractor parking brake knob):
1. Check the air compressor or governor cut-out
pressure (approximately 120 psi [827 kPa]).
2. Cut-off the engine and turn the key back to
ON, without starting the engine.
3. Without the brake pedal applied, note the
air pressure drop for one minute. It should be
less than 2 psi (14 kPa) for single vehicle and
3 psi (21 kPa) for combination vehicles.
4. Depress and hold the brake pedal with 90
psi (621 kPa) or more and make sure there is
no more than a 3 psi (21 kPa) per minute
leak. For combination vehicles, no more than 4
psi (28 kPa) per minute.
5. Pump the brake pedal to deplete the system
air pressure. The warning light and chime
should activate 57 psi (393 kPa).
6. Pump the brake pedal and make sure the
parking brake and trailer parking brake knobs
knobs pop out at 20 psi (138 kPa) or higher.
Parking brake:Check that the parking brake will hold the
vehicle by gently trying to pull forward with
the parking brake applied.
Automatic
transmission fluid:With the engine idling (at normal operating
temperature) and the parking brake applied,
check the automatic transmission fluid. If fluid
needs to be added, place the transmission in
the appropriate gear as specified in the
transmission operator’s manual and refer to
Transmission fluidin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
Vehicle inspection guide
14
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
INTERIOR LAMPS
Map lamps (if equipped)
To turn on the map lamps, press the
control next to each lamp.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Checking operation of lamps, safety equipment and warning
signals
It is a good safety practice to check operation of headlamps, parking
lamps, turn signals, clearance and marker lamps, instrument panel and
control lamps each day.
Using the right bulbs
Function Number of
bulbsTrade number
Headlamps 2 4652
Front turn signal lamps 2 1157
Front sidemarker/Park lamps 2 (amber) 194
Brake/Tail/Stop/Rear turn
signal/License lamps4 2057
Back-up lamps 2 1156
Front clearance and identification
lamps5 168
Dome lamp 1 105
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your dealer
Lights
49
Reasons given... Consider...
“I have an air bag”Air bags offer greater protection when
used with safety belts. Frontal air
bags are not designed to inflate in
rear and side crashes or rollovers.
“I’d rather be thrown clear”Not a good idea.Peoplewho are
ejected are 40 times more likely
to DIE.Safety belts help prevent
ejection, WE CAN’T“PICK OUR
CRASH”.
Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt to avoid the Belt
Minder chime. Sitting on the safety belt will increase the risk of
injury in an accident. To disable (one-time) or deactivate the Belt
Minder feature please follow the directions stated below.
One-time disable
Any time the safety belt is buckled and then unbuckled during an
ignition ON cycle, BeltMinder will be disabled for that ignition cycle only.
Deactivating/Activating the BeltMinder feature
Read steps1-9thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
The BeltMinder feature can be deactivated/activated by performing the
following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
•The parking brake is set.
•The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission).
•The ignition switch is in the OFF position.
•All vehicle doors are closed.
•The driver’s safety belt is unbuckled.
•The parklamps/headlamps are in OFF position (If vehicle is equipped
with Autolamps, this will not affect the procedure).
To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the Belt
Minder feature while driving the vehicle.
Seating and safety restraints
77
STARTING PROCEDURES
Operating precautions
•Always shift to a lower gear at high altitudes to prevent engine
smoking.
•Avoid extended and unnecessary idling.
Diesel engine vapors are combustible. Do not operate the engine
in an enclosed area. These vapors can be sucked through the air
intake system and cause an explosion which may result in severe
bodily injury and extensive property damage.
Starting the engine
1. Ensure headlamps and all accessories are turned off, the parking
brake is applied and the transmission is in the neutral position (or P
[Park] for Allison 2400 transmissions).
If your vehicle is equipped with an
air intake heater, the heater will
activate in cooler weather. If the
WAIT TO START light illuminates,
do notcrank the engine until the
light goes off.
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 cause an explosion
and result in property damage and/or personal injury.
2. Do not depress the accelerator during starting the engine.
3. Start the engine.
If the engine does not start after 30 seconds of cranking, allow two
minutes for the starter to cool before trying again. Excessive cranking
may damage the starter.
WAIT
TO
START
Driving
Driving
87