Truck Maintenance & Compliance Guides

DOT Inspection Requirements, Plainly

Federal annual inspection requirements for trucks — who needs one, what's checked, who may perform it, and what records to keep. Reviewed Aug 2026.

Cites primary sources · reviewed 2026-08-22

California's BIT Program: The 90-Day Rhythm

California's Basic Inspection of Terminals program — who's in it, the 90-day inspection cycle, records, and CHP terminal inspections. Reviewed Aug 2026.

Cites primary sources · reviewed 2026-08-05

Truck Maintenance Schedules: Intervals That Fit the Work

How truck PM intervals really get set — duty cycle, oil analysis, and the A/B/C service rhythm, without fake one-size-fits-all numbers. Reviewed Aug 2026.

Decision guide · reviewed 2026-08-05

DPF Cleaning vs Replacement: The Cost Factors That Matter

What actually drives DPF cleaning and replacement costs, when cleaning is enough, and the illegal shortcut to never take. Reviewed Aug 2026.

Decision guide · reviewed 2026-08-05

Engine Rebuild vs Replace: The Decision, Honestly

Inframe rebuild, out-of-frame, reman, or replace the truck — the real decision factors for a tired diesel, without fabricated prices. Reviewed Aug 2026.

Decision guide · reviewed 2026-08-05

Air Brake Adjustment Limits: What Inspectors Measure and Where the Numbers Come From

Federal pushrod stroke limits by brake chamber type, minimum lining thickness, how stroke is measured, and when a slack adjuster needs repair.

Cites primary sources · reviewed 2026-10-16

DVIR Requirements: The Driver Vehicle Inspection Report, Plainly

What a DVIR must include, when one is required, who signs it, what the carrier must certify before the truck moves, how long to keep them, who is exempt, and how DVIRs feed a maintenance program. Reviewed Oct 2026.

Cites primary sources · reviewed 2026-10-16

Truck Tire Wear Patterns: Reading What the Tire Is Telling You

Shoulder, center, one-sided, feathered, cupped and diagonal wear on semi truck and trailer tires — what each pattern points to, how to measure tread, and the federal 4/32 and 2/32 inch minimums. Reviewed Oct 2026.

Cites primary sources · reviewed 2026-10-16

Winter Truck Prep for I-80 and the Sierra: What to Check Before the First Storm

Getting a semi ready for Donner Pass and Echo Summit: California chain requirement levels and the heavy-truck rule, air dryer and tank moisture, fuel gelling, DEF freezing, battery capacity, coolant freeze point and tread. Reviewed Oct 2026.

Decision guide · reviewed 2026-10-18

Driveshaft and U-Joint Failure: How to Inspect, What Phasing and Angles Mean, and When to Replace

How semi truck driveshafts and universal joints fail, how to inspect them in the yard, why phasing and working angles decide joint life, when to repair versus replace the shaft, and the greasing habit that prevents most of it. Reviewed Oct 2026.

Decision guide · reviewed 2026-10-16

Required Emergency Equipment and Where to Place Warning Triangles After a Breakdown

What every power unit must carry — fire extinguisher ratings, three reflective triangles or six fusees, spare fuses rules — and exactly where to place warning devices after a breakdown: 10, 100 and 100 feet, divided highways, hills and curves, the 10-minute rule. Reviewed Oct 2026.

Cites primary sources · reviewed 2026-10-16

Semi Truck Dashboard Warning Lights: What Each Lamp Means and What to Do

Heavy-truck warning lamps decoded — stop engine, check engine, DPF, HEST, DEF, ABS, water in fuel, low air, coolant, oil — steady vs flashing, and what to do.

Decision guide · reviewed 2026-10-18

DOT Annual Inspection Prep Checklist

Printable checklist for the federal annual DOT inspection — brakes, steering, tires, lights, coupling, exhaust, fuel and paperwork — with the federal limit behind each item.

Cites primary sources · reviewed 2026-10-18

Summer Heat Truck Prep for the Sacramento Valley

Getting a semi ready for 100°F Valley summers — cooling stack, fan clutch, A/C, tires, batteries, DEF storage and brakes on grades — with a printable pre-season checklist.

Decision guide · reviewed 2026-10-18

Mobile Repair or a Tow? Deciding Where a Broken-Down Truck Gets Fixed

Broken down: can it be fixed where it sits, or does it need a tow to a shop? The questions that decide it, the jobs that usually go each way, and when not to move the truck.

Decision guide · reviewed 2026-10-20

California's Truck Idling Rule: The 5-Minute Limit, the Exceptions, and Regens

California's diesel idling rule (13 CCR 2485): who it covers, the 5-minute limit, the 100-foot rule near homes and schools, Clean Idle labels, APUs and the regen exception.

Cites primary sources · reviewed 2026-10-20

California Trailer Length and KPRA Rules: STAA vs California Legal Trucks

California truck length rules: STAA vs California Legal trucks, the 53-ft trailer and 40-ft KPRA limit, doubles, route colors, and the one-mile access rule for repairs.

Cites primary sources · reviewed 2026-10-20

Clutch, Turbo or EGR Cooler: Repair, Adjust or Replace?

Three expensive heavy-truck decisions: when a clutch needs adjusting vs replacing, a turbo vs its actuator, and why EGR coolers get replaced. Find the cause first.

Decision guide · reviewed 2026-10-20

Weigh Stations Near Sacramento: Where the Scales Are and Who Must Stop

The CHP scales around Sacramento — Antelope and Cordelia on I-80, Camino on US-50, Donner Pass — who must stop under CVC 2813, the pickup rule, and what inspectors check.

Cites primary sources · reviewed 2026-10-20

Seasonal Garage & Yard Prep for Sacramento Truck Owners

Seasonal truck prep tips for Sacramento owners — protect your rig from summer heat, dust, and winter rain with garage and yard maintenance from Pro Truck Services.