The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) holds its annual International Roadcheck from May 13-15, 2025. This 72-hour inspection event ensures commercial vehicles meet safety and regulatory standards across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Last year, brake and tire issues caused over half of all out-of-service violations. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC offers practical maintenance tips to help fleets, drivers, and technicians prepare.
Key Highlights
- Brake systems led violations in 2024, with defective service brakes at 25%.
- Tires are a 2025 focus, with underinflation causing many failures.
- Tractor protection systems (TPS) had over 560 violations last year.
- Bendix stresses daily walk-arounds and in-shop inspections.
- Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) can prevent issues.
- Training and support resources are available from Bendix.
Brake Maintenance Tips
Brakes are vital for safety and advanced systems like collision mitigation. Bendix suggests:
- Do daily walk-arounds to spot damaged air chambers or misaligned slack adjusters.
- In the shop, check brake stroke, test for air leaks, and inspect friction materials.
- Use OEM-spec parts and replace pads or shoes in axle sets.
- Consider air disc brakes for easier checks and better performance.
Tire Maintenance Tips
Tires will be closely inspected in 2025. To stay compliant:
- Check tread depth and look for sidewall damage.
- Ensure dual tires match and are properly inflated.
- Use TPMS, like SmarTire®, to monitor pressure and catch problems early.
Tractor Protection Systems
TPS issues can still lead to violations. Verify operation by:
- Disconnecting glad hands and testing the trailer-supply valve.
- Using dummy couplers to keep connections clean.
Bendix Resources
Bendix provides:
- Brake-School.com: Free online training.
- 1-800-AIR-BRAKE: Technical support hotline.
- YouTube Channel: Maintenance videos.
Bottom Line
Regular maintenance is key to passing Roadcheck and ensuring safety year-round. These tips and resources can help fleets succeed.
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