What are the inspection methods and usage precautions for tank car components?

Only by promptly maintaining the tank truck’s components can we reduce wear and tear, prevent failures, and ensure optimal performance. Before starting the tank truck, drivers should pay attention to the appearance of the light bulbs and rearview mirrors. If there are signs of tire wear on the tank truck’s tires, drivers should carefully inspect them for bulges, aged cracks, and other defects. Below, we’ll introduce the inspection methods for tank truck components as well as important usage precautions:

1. Gasoline

How to check: Simply check the fuel gauge on the refueling machine regularly.

Attention: Before refueling, don’t let the fuel gauge on the tanker truck drop all the way to the bottom. All new vehicles are equipped with an electric fuel pump lever and an electronic fuel sensor. Be sure to keep it submerged in gasoline to help dissipate heat. Additionally, excessively low fuel levels can also affect the oxygen sensor in the tanker truck’s exhaust system. These parts aren’t cheap, so don’t let the fuel level get too low before refueling.

2. Engine oil

How to check: Simply check the fuel gauge on the refueling machine regularly.

Note: Generally, oil consumption is not sufficient to warrant an oil change between two scheduled maintenance intervals. However, due to the hot summer weather, oil consumption will be higher than usual. If you notice impurities or a gasoline smell in the engine oil during routine inspections, or if the exhaust smoke appears light blue, it indicates that there’s a problem with the engine and the components may be experiencing abnormal wear. Therefore, promptly take your vehicle to a service center for repair.

3. Tank car components – Tank car transmission oil tank

How to check: When the tanker truck is changing its engine oil, you can take the opportunity to check the driver’s transmission oil as well. Since the inspection process is complex, it’s best to have it handled at a service station. For an accurate measurement, the vehicle must be placed in park (P), allowed to idle, parked on a level surface, and the engine oil must be operating at a working temperature between 80°C and 93°C.

Note: Using too much or too little engine oil can damage the transmission. Excessive oil may cause excessive resistance during component operation, or lead to abnormal wear of parts due to foaming and degradation of the transmission oil in tank trucks. Therefore, when checking the transmission oil, be sure to measure it accurately.

4. Power steering oil for tank trucks

Inspection method: After the engine has cooled down, thoroughly wipe clean the oil filler cap and the top of the oil tank. Then, unscrew the directional oil cap and use a clean, lint-free paper to wipe the dipstick. Next, reattach and lock the cap, then open and pull out the dipstick to check the oil level.

Attention: When adding or replacing engine oil, you must use the correct power steering fluid. Improper use may damage the steering gear of the vessel.

5. Tank car components – Brake fluid

Inspection method: Simply open the engine hood and check the brake fluid reservoir’s fluid level—just make sure it doesn’t fall below the lower limit.

Do not add brake fluid to the tank truck without first checking the brake fluid level, as overfilling could cause brake fluid to spray onto the hot engine, leading to component corrosion and even fire. If there are air bubbles or the brake fluid appears dirty, it indicates that the brake fluid has deteriorated. Please replace it as soon as possible to prevent the boiling point of the brake fluid from dropping, which could result in air bubbles and significantly reduce braking effectiveness, posing a serious safety risk.