TOP 13 problems that are difficult to foresee before going on a trip

MT onroad experts have already helped hundreds of truck drivers on Germany's roads. Through years of work, we have compiled a list of breakdowns that are difficult to predict, but which you can prevent if you undergo regular maintenance. We'll describe to you which problems we encounter most often and what you should look out for to minimize the likelihood of a breakdown on the road.

The most common truck breakdowns

1. Landing gear. Due to the increased load, the chassis gets the biggest "bump". The driver notices that the car is unstable when cornering, it sways, there are disturbing noises and cracking. In addition, suspension defects affect the functioning of the steering system, which leads to problems with handling.
2. Electrical equipment. You should be careful if the starter does not turn after you turning the key, or if the electrical equipment or control panel does not work.
3. Antilock Brake System. ABS is responsible for the safe braking of the vehicle. Failure can result from a change in the gap between the sensor and the rotor rim. In addition, the sensors may stop producing a signal due to the intrusion of metal dust on the housing.
4. Electronic Braking System. The EBS is responsible for ABS behavior, reaction time control and braking force control. Due to a malfunction of the EBS, the pressure in the brake chambers will not be set correctly. In most cases, the cause of the malfunction is in the modulator.
5. Engine. In many cases where a truck driver came to us with engine trouble, it turned out that the cylinder block was cracked or fouled and that the pump, valves and crankshaft were defective.
6. Fuel system. The problem may be low-grade fuel, which disables the catalytic converter, causing further failures.
7. Exhaust system. Most often, exhaust system operation problems are to do with the muffler, catalytic converter or oxygen sensor. If not corrected in a timely manner, the problems can negatively impact engine operation.
8. Cooling system. All elements of the system like the thermostat, radiator, fan etc are responsible for maintaining a certain temperature. In case of serious malfunctions, the engine overheats. The cooling system includes a water pump, which is part of the engine and circulates coolant through the engine to maintain the optimal operating temperature. Water pump problems are most common during the hot summer months.
9. Tires. Truck drivers very often experience uneven tire wear related to malfunctions in the mechanical components of the braking system, most commonly the brake cylinders and disk brake calipers.
10. Brake System. An increase in braking distance should alarm you. Skidding after braking, brake failure or sticking can also indicate problems.
11. Steering system. The weakest elements are the hydraulic brake booster and the rack-and-pinion steering system, and their failure will cause vehicle handling problems.
12. Crane systems. If the truck is also used as a crane, some failures may be due to hydraulic problems, corrosion of the cables, noise and vibration during lifting.
13. Air suspension. Common faults include stone rupture/depressurization of air bellows, compressor failure, and airbag wear.

What to do if you are faced with a breakdown of a truck in Germany and don’t know which service station to contact?

How to get out of the situation if the breakdown occurred on the road, and you need help with towing?

What if there are difficulties with payment?

These and other problems can easily be solved by the MT onroad team. We provide technical support to truck drivers on the roads in Germany, we are available 24/7, and we will always find a solution to your problem!