Mid-Year Fleet Check-In: Time To Upgrade Your Parts

June 2025

We're halfway through the year...how's your fleet holding up?

The mid-year mark is the perfect time to check how your fleet has managed the first six months of the year. Inspect, upgrade, or replace parts that will set you up for success through the last half of the year. From safety to performance, this isn't just about maintenance, it's an opportunity to extend the life of your fleet.

Mid-Year Parts to Upgrade

1. Lighting and Electrical

Lighting issues are one of the most common reasons for DOT violations, but are some of the easiest to prevent. If your rig is dealing with dim headlights, broken marker lights, or cracked lenses, it's time for an upgrade. LED lights not only provide brighter, clearer visibility, but they also last longer than traditional bulbs, reducing maintenance intervals and keeping your truck safer on the road.

Mid-year is also an ideal time to check trailer wiring and marker lights. Weather, vibration, and wear from frequent hook-ups can take a toll. Swapping out damaged harnesses and upgrading your connectors will improve electrical reliability.

2. Filters and Fluids

Keeping your engine clean, your systems cool, and your components running smoothly. These are the unsung heroes working quietly behind the scenes...but they don't last forever. By the mid-year point, your oil, air, fuel, coolant, and transmission filters could be nearing the end of their service life, especially if you've been driving in dusty areas, extreme temperatures, or on long-haul routes. Ignoring these can lead to reduced fuel efficiency, overheating, and premature engine wear.

Fluid health is just as important. Engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, and diesel exhaust fluid degrade over time from heat, oxidation, and contaminants. Skipping a fluid inspection or delaying a routine flush or refill can turn costly. During your check-in, test the quality of your fluid, look for leaks, and consider getting a complete fluid replacement if you're close to OEM-recommended intervals.

3. Gaskets and Seals

Playing a big role in keeping vital systems running clean and leak-free, gaskets and seals are critical to your vehicle's performance. Constant exposure to the elements, pressure, vibration, and chemical breakdown causes these components to crack, harden, and lose their sealing ability. Your fleet may already show signs of fatigue in areas like oil pans, transmission gaskets and seals, and wheel hubs. If you're spotting fluid leaks under your parked rig or needing to top off oil, coolant, or hydraulic fluids more frequently, deteriorating gaskets and seals may be to blame.

Don't wait for a minor leak to turn into a major failure. Replacing your worn seals and gaskets now can prevent breakdowns and help you avoid unplanned downtime. Prioritize leak-prone areas like drive axle seals and valve covers. These often wear out first and can cause fluid leaks, leading to reduced lubrication, or even worse, damage to critical systems.

4. Brakes and Wheel End

Critical for safety and vehicle control, but one of the most common sources of wear and tear. With stop-and-go traffic and heavy hauls, your braking system is under constant stress. Now is the perfect time to check for uneven brake wear, reduced stopping power, or vibration during braking. Drums, rotors, pads, and shoes wear down gradually, and if left unchecked, can hurt the safety of your ride and lead to brake failure. Even a minor performance issue in one part of the system can affect your braking system.

Use this check-in to inspect your spring brake chambers, slack adjusters, and camshafts, as well as looking for signs of wear around hubs and bearings. Prioritize performance-related replacements and stay ahead of wheel end maintenance to protect your axles and suspension from damage, and boost your confidence heading into the second half of the year.

Make Your Check-In Count

A mid-year check-in isn't just about maintenance, it's a chance to maximize uptime, extend your vehicle's life, and keep your rig moving efficiently. The right upgrade now can prevent a bigger problem down the road. Take action today to set your fleet up for a strong finish to the year by browsing our inventory on FleetPride.com.

* The foregoing is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult your local FleetPride Heavy Duty Experts to verify the suitability of a part for the intended application.