Being a truck driver is not just about driving your truck from point A to point B. Truck drivers should also know a little about how the truck works, how to do minor maintenance things like checking fluids and recognizing certain suspicious noises that need to be addressed to avoid the truck from breaking down. If you get stuck on the road with a broken-down truck, one of your options is to call a truck repair shop for roadside assistance to diagnose and possibly fix it on the spot, if possible, but you as a truck driver should know a few things about when to call for roadside assistance. In this post we will discuss the most important situations when reaching out for help is a good idea. Let’s get into it.
1. Tire Blowouts or Severe Tire Damage
When one of your tires blows out, it’s a definite sign to call a repair shop; some slow leaks or minor issues can be fixed at a truck stop, but tire blowouts are a big pain.
Call for roadside assistance in case of:
- A blowout
- Sidewall damage
- A tire overheating
- A flat tire in a dangerous location
Roadside techs will handle full tire replacements and repairs even on busy roadways.
2. Engine Trouble or Warning Lights
Modern semi-trucks include advanced diagnostic systems for a reason. If you experience:
- Loss of power
- Overheating
- Persistent warning lights
- Unusual engine noises
…it’s best to pull over safely and request assistance. Continuing to drive could cause major engine damage or leave you stranded in an unsafe spot.
3. Brake Problems
Your brakes are one of the most critical systems on your truck. Any of these signs require immediate roadside help:
- Delayed braking response
- Air pressure loss
- Grinding or scraping sounds
- Brake fade on descents
Don’t even think about driving with brake problems. This is more dangerous than you might think. Call for assistance.
4. Electrical System Failures
Electrical issues can disable essential systems like lights, refrigeration units, sensors, or even ignition components. Call a truck repair shop for assistance if you encounter:
- Complete or partial electrical failure
- Dead batteries
- Alternator issues
- Malfunctioning trailer lights
Techs can perform diagnostics and get you powered up quickly.
5. Fuel Problems
Running out of fuel isn’t always as simple as filling up again—especially if air gets into the fuel lines. Roadside assistance can help with:
- Fuel delivery
- Priming a diesel engine
- DEF delivery
- Misfueling corrections
Avoid trying to restart repeatedly; this can worsen the issue.
6. Lockouts
Every driver has locked themselves out at some point. Instead of breaking a window or attempting risky DIY solutions, call a professional who can safely unlock your cab without causing damage.
7. Breakdowns in Unsafe Locations
Sometimes you can get stuck in a very dangerous place because of a breakdown. This can be a place with narrow shoulders, a construction zone or even a heavy-traffic area. This is one of those situations when you really want to call for help because the roadside mechanics have experience for such situations, they have warning equipment and everything needed to get you back on the road safely.
8. Trailer or Load Issues
If your trailer becomes unsafe to move due to:
- Suspension problems
- Landing gear failures
- Door malfunctions
- Issues with securing the load
…roadside assistance can assess and fix the issue before it becomes a DOT violation or safety hazard.
9. When You Don’t Know What’s Wrong
Sometimes new drivers don’t have much experience with trucking and when there is a weird noise coming from the engine they might not even notice it, or if they do, they don’t know what it means. In such cases you should call for help. You better catch the problem early than late, even if it’s an easy fix.
Final Ideas
You never know what can go wrong with your truck on the road. If you are a full-time employer at a company, calling roadside assistance makes even more sense, because when you are an owner operator and you own your truck, you are tempted to save as much money on repairs as possible, and this usually is not a good thing. It can lead to bigger problems down the road, and that means bigger bills for repairs.