This document provides guidance on performing pre-trip inspections for vehicles accessing crude oil storage. It outlines key areas to inspect, including the engine, controls, emergency equipment, lights, and braking systems. Drivers are instructed to perform thorough inspections each time before driving to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. Special considerations are given to different types of terrain and conditions that may be encountered when traveling on lease roads accessing storage sites.

1. Accessing Crude Oil Storage
Section G

2. The pre-trip
• Safety is the most important reason
• Prevent break downs
• Accidents
• Company mechanic are not responsible
for inspections you are!!!!

3. How Often?
• Every time you leave the yard or
terminal
• Company should have policy in place
• Make sure everything works
• If the vehicle doesn’t pass ---DON”T
DRIVE IT

4. Inspecting the Equipment
• The truck is not the only piece of
equipment that you use.
• Do daily checks on the testing
equipment as well as the loading and
unloading equipment.

5. Pre-Trip Inspections
• Pre- trip inspections typically include:
– Service brakes, including trailer brake
connections.
– Parking brake.
– Steering mechanism.
– Lighting devices and reflectors.
– Tires.

6. Pre-Trip Inspections
– Horns.
– Windshield wipers.
– Rear vision mirrors.
– Wheels and rims.
– Coupling devices.
– Emergency equipment.

7. #1 Vehicle Overview
• Review the last inspection report.
–Drivers must make one.
–The motor carrier must repair any
item on the report
–Driver must sign

8. #2 Check engine
• Engine oil
• Coolant and condition of hoses
• Power steering
• Windshield washer level
• Battery level , connections and tie
downs

9. #2 Check engine
• Automatic transmission fluid level
• Check belts for tightness and excessive
wear (alternator, water pump, air
compressor).
• Leaks in the engine compartment

10. #2 Check engine
• Cracked, worn electrical wiring
insulation.
• Lower and secure hood, cab, or
engine compartment door.

11. SAFETY NOTE:
• Always put vehicle key in your pocket —
or someone might move the vehicle
while you are checking underneath it.
• If you are parked on a street, walk
around so you are facing the oncoming
traffic. Pay attention so you don’t get
run over.

12. #3 Start Engine and Inspect
Inside the Cab
• Make sure parking brake is on.
• Put gearshift in neutral
• Start engine; listen for unusual noises.
• Look at the Gauges
• Oil pressure should come up to normal
within seconds after engine is started.

13. #3 Start Engine and Inspect
Inside the Cab
• Ammeter and/or voltmeter should be in
normal range(s).
• Coolant temperature should begin
gradual rise to normal operating range.
• Warning lights and buzzers for oil,
coolant, and charging circuit should go
out right away.

14. Check Condition of Controls
• Check all of the following for looseness,
sticking, damage, or improper setting:
– Steering wheel
– Accelerator (“gas pedal”)
– Clutch
– Brake controls

15. Check Condition of Controls
• Check Cont.
– Foot brake
– Trailer brake (if vehicle has one)
– Parking brake
– Retarder controls (if vehicle has them)
– Transmission controls

16. Check Condition of Controls
• Check Cont.
– Interaxle differential lock (if vehicle has
one)
– Windshield wiper/washer
– Horn(s)

17. Check Condition of Controls
• Lights
– Headlights
– 4-way flashers
– Dimmer switch
– Turn signal
– Clearance, identification, marker light
switch(es)

18. Check Mirrors and Windshield
• Inspect mirrors and windshield
– Cracks
– Dirt
– Illegal stickers
– Obstructions

19. Check Emergency Equipment
• Safety equipment
• Three red reflective triangles
• Spare electrical fuses (unless vehicle
has circuit breakers)
• Properly charged and rated fire
extinguisher

20. Check for Optional Items
• Tire chains (where winter conditions
require them)
• List of emergency phone numbers
• Tire changing equipment
• Accident reporting kit (packet)

21. #4 Turn Off engine
• Set brake
• Turn off engine
• TAKE KE Y WITH YOU
• Turn on headlights
• Turn on flashers

22. # 6Walk around
• Make sure all lights are working
– If they are on a truck they should work
• General:
– Walk around and inspect
– Clean as you go

23. Walk around (Left Front)
• Left front:
– Clean glass
– Check locks
• Left front wheel
– Wheel and rim
– Tires
– Rust streaked lug nuts
– Hub oil level

24. Walk around (Left Front)
• Left front suspension:
– Spring , hangers shackles ,u-bolts.
– Shocks
• Left front brake:
– Brake drum
– Brake hoses

25. Walk around (Front)
• Front :
– Axle
• Steering :
– Check for loose ,worn, bent, damaged or
missing parts.
– Check steering mechanism

26. Walk around (Front)
• Windshield :
– Check for damage / clean
– Wiper arm
– Wiper blade
• Lights and reflectors
– Clean and right color
– Right signal

27. Walk around (Right side)
• Right side:
– Check all items as done on left front
– Cab locks
• Fight fuel tanks:
– Mounted and not damaged
– Level of fuel
– Crossover line
– Cap

28. Walk around (Right side)
• Condition of Visible Parts:
– Rear engine
– Spare tire
– Transmission
– Exhaust
– Frame
– Air lines

29. Walk around (Right side)
• Cargo securement
– Check cargo
– Header Board
– Side boards
– Tarps
– Oversize Markers
– Curbside cargo compartments

30. Walk around (Right Rear)
• Right Rear:
– Condition of wheels and rims
– Condition of tires
– Tires same type
– Tires evenly matched
– Wheel bearing/seals not leaking.

31. Walk around (Right Rear)
• Suspension:
– Condition of spring(s)
– Axle secure
– Powered axle
– Torque rod arms
– Shocks
– Retractable axle

32. Walk around (Right Rear)
• Brakes:
– Brake adjustment.
– Condition of brake drum(s).
– Condition of hoses

33. Walk around (Right Rear)
• Lights and Reflectors
– Side-marker lights
– Side-marker reflectors

34. Walk around (Rear)
• Rear of vehicle:
• Lights and Reflectors:
– Rear clearance and identification lights
• Red color in rear
– Reflectors
– Taillights

35. Walk around (Rear)
• Lights and Reflectors:
– Right rear turn signal
– License plate
– Splash guards

36. Walk around (Rear)
• Cargo Secure
– Tailboards
– End gates
– Tarps
– Over size signs
– Rear doors

37. Walk around (Left side)
• Check all items as you did on right side
• Also:
– Battery
– Battery Box
– Fluid
– Caps
– Vents

38. Check signal lights
• Turn off lights
– Turn on left signal light/check same
– Apply Brakes
– Check brake lights

39. #7 Start the Engine and
Check Brake System
• Turn off lights not needed for driving.
• Check for all required papers
– Trip manifests
– Permits

40. Start the Engine and
Check Brake System
• Test for hydraulic leaks.
– If the vehicle has hydraulic brakes, pump
the brake pedal three times. Then apply
firm pressure to the pedal and hold for five
seconds. The pedal should not move. If it
does, there may be a leak or other
problem. Get it fixed before driving.

41. Start the Engine and
Check Brake System
• If the vehicle has air brakes, do the
checks described In the air brake part of
this course.
•

42. Start the Engine and
Check Brake System
• Test Parking Brake :
– Fasten seat belt.
– Allow vehicle to move forward slowly.
– Apply parking brake.
– If it doesn’t stop vehicle, it is faulty; get it
fixed.

43. Start the Engine and
Check Brake System
• Test Service Brake Stopping Action:
– Go about five miles per hour.
– Push brake pedal firmly.
– “Pulling” to one side or the other can mean
brake trouble.
– Any unusual brake pedal “feel” or delayed
stopping action can mean trouble.

44. Air Brakes
• If a vehicle has air brakes:
– Engine compartment
• Compressor and belt
• Walk around inspection
– Check Manual Slack Adjustment on S-Cam
Brakes
– Check Brake Drums (or Discs), Linings,
and Hoses

45. Air Brakes
• Final Air Brake Check
• Check the Low Air Warning System
• Check Rate of Air Pressure Buildup
• Test Air Leakage Rate
• Check Air Compressor Governor Cut-in and
Cut-out Pressures
• Test Parking Brake
• Test Service Brakes

46. Warning
• If you find anything unsafe
during the pre-trip inspection,
get it fixed. Federal and state
laws forbid operating an
unsafe vehicle.

47. DOT out of service
• Drivers and company must comply
• Out of service means that you or the
company won’t make money
• If the company gets to many -----DOT
AUDIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

48. Post-Trip inspections
• A written report at the end of the day
• Note the problems with the vehicle so
the mechanics can fix it.
• Mechanics sign the report when fixed
• Driver must sign report also

49. Lease Roads
• You will travel on all
types of lease roads
• Leases are in all types
of environments
• The county or the
lease operator is
responsible for the
maintenance on the
roads.

50. Go and No Go
• Most difficult that you will face in the
field.
• You need a plan before you go in
• You might get caught in a location
• You need to know when to go or no- go

51. Go and No-Go
 Go and no go cattle guards.
 Built to keep livestock in
 Some times no built heavy enough
 Go and no go culverts
 Used to cross small creeks or ditches
 Time and corrosion can make weaker

52. Go and No-Go
 Go and no go mud holes
 Big problem
 Some have hard bottom
 Go and no go blow sand
 Windy conditions
 Go and no go inclines
 Locations are built with the lay of the land

53. Go and No-Go
 Go and no go overhead lines
 Electric lines are 14.5 tall
 Sometimes the lease owner wires his own
 Go and no go inclement weather
 You must go in all kind of weather
 It is you and the company’s decision

54. Cattle Guards