• PM checklists should be developed based on OEM recommendations, FMCSA regulations, vehicle maintenance history, and reports from company personnel.

Preventive maintenance (PM) involves scheduled inspection and maintenance of the vehicle. One key to making sure the necessary items are being inspected and maintained is the development of maintenance checklists. In developing a checklist, there are many factors that must be considered. Some of these factors are:

• OEM recommendations — All OEMs provide recommended inspection and maintenance items and procedures. These should serve as the basis for any program you develop.
• Regulations — Certain inspections are mandated in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. An example of a mandated inspection is the periodic (annual) inspection. The items found in Part 393 and Appendix A can serve as the basis for any checklist covering a required inspection.
• Maintenance history — By data-mining maintenance records and determining expected component life system (or cycle) (ECLS) and mean time between failures (MTBF) for various parts and components, it can be predicted when parts and components will become unreliable. Also, testing samples of fluids can determine the length of time fluids should be left in the various components, and therefore, the timing of fluid changes.
• Company personnel — If PM technicians are reporting that they are constantly having to repair a part or component on vehicles, and the part or component is not on the PM checklist, consideration should be given to adding it.