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CDL A - Pre-trip

Atualizado: 24 de nov. de 2023


Abaixo, apresentamos uma pre-trip check-list completa com todas as peças e partes do caminhão a serem inspecionadas durante a prova.


Porém, é importante salientar que cada caminhão possui as suas peculiaridades: a título de exemplo, os tipos de suspensão e freio podem ser diferentes. Da mesma maneira, peças como o alternador (alternator) ou bomba d'água (water pump) podem ser movidas por cintos ou engrenagens (belt-driver or gear-driven) a depender do caminhão. É assim que o candidato precisa atentar para as particularidades do caminhão em que vai fazer a prova.


Durante a pre-trip da prova, o candidato deve apontar ou tocar cada parte/peça que inspecionar dizendo o nome da mesma e o estado em que se encontra. Para tanto, o candidato deve memorizar certas frases que são aplicáveis a quase todas as peças e depois acrescentar os adjetivos que devem qualificar aquela peça em particular.


Frases gerais


Importante registrar que as frases seguintes são apenas exemplos e existem diversas variações possíveis.


PMS - properly mounted and secured (comuns a praticamente todas as partes e peças);

NBCD - not broken, cracked or damaged (comuns a praticamente todas as partes e peças);

NABCC - no abrasions, bulges, cuts or cracks (comuns a mangueiras e partes similares emborrachadas, como pneus);

NWM - not worn or missing (comuns a buchas e algumas outras peças emborrachadas);

NCCW - not cut, chafed or worn (comuns a cintas e peças similares).


A título de exemplo, se estamos inspecionando a mangueira do radiador (radiator hose), vamos tocar ou apontar a peça, dizer o nome da mesma e utilizar as frases gerais aplicáveis:


"The radiator hose is properly mounted and secured. It's not broken, cracked or damaged. There are no abrasions, bulges, cuts or cracks".


Agora, é o momento de acrescentar os adjetivos específicos da peça ou parte. Nesse caso, devemos mencionar que a mangueira não está ou não deveria estar vazando (not leaking) e que todas as presilhas, braçadeiras, etc. não estão soltas ou faltando (not loose or missing):


"The radiator hose is properly mounted and secured. It's not broken, cracked or damaged. There are no abrasions, bulges, cuts or cracks. It's not leaking. There are no loose or missing fittings".


Abaixo, a nossa check-list. Cada peça ou parte será seguida pelas frases gerais aplicáveis representadas pelas iniciais e pelos adjetivos específicos por extenso. A exemplo, a mangueria do radiador aparecerá na check-list da seguinte maneira:


Radiator hose


PMS; NBCD; NABCC. It's not leaking. There are no loose or missing fittings.


Passenger side


Vale também mencionar que as peças e partes que estão localizadas no lado do passageiro não precisam ser mencionadas quando são idênticas àquelas que estão do lado do motorista. A maioria delas são, de fato, idênticas, a exceção das peças e partes presentes no compartimento do motor do lado do passageiro.



PRE-TRIP CHECKLIST



AIR BRAKE TEST


O teste dos freios a ar é a etapa mais importante da pre-trip. Devido a gravidade das consequências de um defeito no sistema de freios a ar do veículo, qualquer erro muito provavelmente resultará na reprovação automática do candidato.


É de suma importância mencionar que cada passo abaixo precisa ser enunciado / explicado ao examinador antes ou enquanto o candidato os executa.


Engine safe start


  1. Make sure the truck is in neutral;

  2. Turn the key on, but do not start the engine yet. Make sure gauges cycle;

  3. Wait for the ABS light to come on, and mention it to the examiner when it does;

  4. Make sure you are in neutral again, and push the clutch in;

  5. Start the engine;

  6. Make sure you are in neutral again and gently let off the clutch.


Aplication brake test


  1. Let the air pressure build-up to the governor cut off (125 to 140 p.s.i);

  2.  Shut off the engine;

  3. Turn the key to the on or battery charge position;

  4. Chock your wheels or simulate you are doing so by putting the truck in a low gear;

  5. Disengage (push in) both the tractor (yellow) and trailer (red) parking brakes;

  6. Apply the brakes for 01 minute (continuous aplication), and make sure you do not lose more than 04 p.s.i. Mention what you found to the examiner.


Low-air-warning test


  1. Tell the examiner that you are going to perform the low-air-warning test, and that the low air warning buzzard and/or indicator light should come on before the pressure drops below 60 p.s.i.; 

  2. Fan off the brakes till the low air warning buzzard and/or indicator light comes on, and tell the examiner what you found.


Spring brake pop-out test


  1. Tell the examiner that you will perform the spring brake pop-out test, and that you are going to fan off the brake until both buttons pop out. Mention that the tractor spring brake (yellow button) should pop out at around 20 p.s.i., and that the trailer spring brake (red button) should pop out at around 40 p.s.i., but it is possible that them both pop out at the same time;

  2. Continue to fan off the brakes untill the buttons pop out, and tell the examiner what you found.


Tug, tug, roll test


Tractor parking brake test (tug)


  1. Perform an engine safe start;

  2. Build pressure to the governor cut out;

  3. Release the trailer parking brake (push in the red button) and engage the tractor brake (pull out the yellow button);

  4. Put the truck in a low gear;

  5. Tug agaisnt the brakes lightly. If the truck doesn't move, it means the tractor parking brakes are working properly.


Trailer parking brake test (tug)


  1. Release the tractor parking brake (push in the yellow button) and engage the trailer parking brake (pull out the red button);

  2. Put the truck in a low gear;

  3. Tug agaisnt the brakes lightly. If the truck doesn't move, it means the trailer parking brakes are working properly.


Roll test


  1. Put the truck into third gear and release the parking brakes.

  2. Put finger-tips (only) on the steering wheel. Release the clutch and get the truck rolling (05 mph).

  3. Apply the brake pedal to make sure the truck stops. The steering wheel should not move.



IN CAB


MIRRORS;

PMS. NBCD. Clean, properly adjusted to the driver.


SEAT BELT;

PMS. NBCD. It's not cut, torn or frayed.


WINDSHIELD;

PMS. NBCD. Clean. There are no ilegal stickers.


WIPERS AND WASHER FLUID;

PMS. Work properly. There is fluid.


HORNS (city horn and air horn);

PMS. Working properly.


LIGHT INDICATORS (left and right turn signals; 4-way flashers, low and high beams);

PMS. Working properly.


OIL PRESSURE GAUGE;

PMS. Rising to the proper level between 35-75 PSI.


WATER TEMPERATURE GAUGE;

PMS. Rising to the proper level between 180 and 200 fahrenheit.


VOLTMETER;

PMS. It should read between 12 and 14 volts.


AIR PRESSURES GAUGES (primary and secundary);

PMS. Rising to the proper level. Operating range is from 100 to 120 psi.


HEATER AND DEFROST;

PMS. It works properly.


EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT (03 REFLECTIVE TRIANGLES; 06 SPARE FUSES AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER).

PMS. NBCD. Fire extinguisher charged to the green.



APPROACH OVERVIEW


CLEARANCE LIGHTS;

PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is amber.


HEADLIGHTS;

Low beams and high beams are PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is clear.


MARKER LIGHTS;

PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is amber.


LEFT, RIGHT TURN SIGNALS AND 4-WAY FLASHERS;

PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is amber.


LEANS;

There are no leans. Leans might indicate broken suspension, that the truck is parked on uneven ground, that the load has shifted or that there is a flat tire.


LEAKS;

I am looking for leaks, especially those related to oil, fuel, water coolant and power steering fluid. There are no leaks.


WINSHIELD WIPER BLADES;

PMS. NBCD. They are not dry-rotted or missing. They have the proper tension to the windshield.


FENDER MIRRORS;

PMS. NBCD. Clean, properly adjusted to the driver.


DRIVER SIDE MIRROR AND BRACKET;

PMS. NBCD. Clean, properly adjusted to the driver. There are no loose or missing fittings.



ENGINE COMPARTMENT – PASSENGER SIDE


COOLANT RESERVOIR;

PMS. NBCD. It's not leaking. Filled to the proper level between minimum and maximum.


RADIATOR HOSES (UPPER AND LOWER);

PMS. NBCD; NABCC. They are not leaking. There are no loose or missing fittings.


ALTERNATOR;

PMS. NBCD. Electrical connectors show no evidence of corrosion. It's belt-driven.


ALTERNATOR BELT;

PMS. NBCD. NCCW. When measured in the center, it doesn't have more than 3/4 inches of play.


WATER PUMP;

PMS. NBCD. It's not leaking. It's belt-driven.


WATER PUMP HOSES;

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. They are not leaking. There are no loose or missing fittings.


WATER PUMP BELT;

PMS. NBCD. NCCW. When measured in the center, it doesn't have more than 3/4 inches of play.


EXHAUST;

PMS. NBCD. There are no holes or dents. There are no leaks. I will check every 4 to 6 feet for carbon or soot trails.


ENGINE COMPARTMENT – DRIVER SIDE


ENGINE HOSES;

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. They are not leaking. There are no loose or missing fittings.


OIL DIPSTICK AND FILLER TUBE;

PMS. NBCD. They are not leaking. Oil dipstick is where and how I would check for the proper oil level between minimum and maximum. The filler tube is how and where I would add oil if needed. The filler tube has a cap with a rubber seal. It is PMS. NWM.


AIR COMPRESSOR;

PMS. NBCD. It's not leaking. It's gear-driven.


AIR COMPRESSOR HOSES;

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. They are not leaking. There are no loose or missing fittings.


POWER STEERING PUMP;

PMS. NBCD. It's not leaking. No missing hardware / no missing nuts and bolts. It's gear-driven.


POWER STEERING HOSES;

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. They are not leaking. There are no loose or missing fittings.


POWER STEERING RESERVOIR;

PMS. NBCD. It's not leaking. Filled to the proper level between minimum and maximum.


STEERING COLUMN;

PMS. NBCD. There is no excess of play.


POWER STEERING BOX;

PMS. NBCD. No missing hardware / no missing nuts and bolts.


PITMAN ARM, DRAG LINK, UPPER LOWER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM AND TIE ROD.

PMS. NBCD. No missing hardware. These parts are fastened together by castle nuts and cotter pins. The rubber bushings are not worn or missing.


FRONT SPRING HANGER;

PMS. NBCD. No missing hardware / no missing nuts and bolts. Rubber bushing is not worn or missing. Properly secured to the frame.


FRAME;

PMS. NBCD. There are no ilegal holes or welds. It is not bent or twisted.


LEAF SPRINGS;

PMS. NBCD. No leaf spring is out of alignement more than 1/4 of an inch, which would indicate a broken leaf.


02 U-BOLTS;

PMS. NBCD. They are held in place by 04 locking nuts.


SHOCK ABSORBER;

PMS. NBCD. It's not leaking. The rubber bushings at the botton and at the top are not worn or missing. It's properly secured to the frame.


REAR SPRING HANGER;

PMS. NBCD. No missing hardware / no missing nuts and bolts. Rubber bushing is not worn or missing. Properly secured to the frame.


BRAKE LINES;

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. They are not leaking. There are no loose or missing fittings.


BRAKE CHAMBER;

PMS. NBCD. There are no leaks or dents. The nuts and bolts on the clamps are PMS, they are not loose or missing.


SLACK ADJUSTER AND PUSHROD;

PMS. NBCD. When pulled by hand with the brakes released, the pushrod has no more than 01 inch of play.


BRAKE DRUM;

PMS. NBCD. There are no ilegal holes or welds. No missing hardware.  No dents.

No cracks over half the width of the friction surface. It's free of contamination or debris.


BRAKE LINING OR SHOES;

PMS. NBCD. No contamination or debris. The brake lining or shoe is not worn dangerously thin.


INNER AND OUTER TIRE WALLS;

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. They are not leaking. There is no fabric showing through.


TIRE TREAD;

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. It's not leaking. There is no frabric showing through. The top of the tire is evenly worn. The tread depth is no less than 4/32 inches in any major groove. The tire is the same size and type accross the axle.


RIMS;

PMS. NBCD. There are no ilegal holes or welds. There is no sign of distortion. It is not bent. There are no rust trails indicating the wheel is loose on the wheel.


LUG NUTS;

PMS. NBCD. All are tight and present. No presence of (ddmrs) distortion, discoloration, metal shavings, rust trails or shiny threads.


VALVE STEM;

PMS. NBCD. The valve stem has a dust cover. It's where I would check for the proper tire inflation with a tire gauge.


WHEEL SEAL.

PMS. NBCD. It's not leaking. If the wheel seal has a sight glass, I would check if the oil is at the proper level.


SIDE OF THE TRACTOR


SIDE LIGHT;

Turn signal, 4-way flasher, marker light. PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is amber.


DRIVER DOOR;

PMS. NBCD. The hinges support the weight of the door. The windows and inside / outside handles/latches work properly. The rubber seal is not worn or missing.


DOT REFLECTOR;

PMS. NBCD. It is clean. Proper color is red.


FUEL TANKS;

PMS. NBCD. They are not leaking. They are held in place by static straps. The cap is PMS and it has a rubber seal, which is not worn or missing. There is also a safety chain, which is PMS.


FUEL LINES;

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. They are not leaking. There are no loose or missing fittings.


REAR OF THE TRACTOR


REFLECTOR TAPE ON TOP (04 STRIPS);

04 reflective strips. They are PMS. NBCD. Proper color is clear.


UTILITY LIGHT;

PMS. NBCD. Clean.  Proper color is clear.


AIRLINES;

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. They are not leaking. They connect to the trailer - blue to blue and red to red - through the glad hands. The glad hands are PMS. They are not leaking. They have a rubber seal. the rubber seal is not worn or missing. The airlines are not pinched,tangled or dragging against any tractor parts.


PIGTAILS;

PMS. NBCD. NCCW. The connectors are free of debris. They have no missing pins and show no evidence of corrosion. They are held in place at both the tractor and trailer ends by safety latches. The pigtails are not pinched,tangled or dragging against any tractor parts.


CATWALK AND STEPS;

PMS. NBCD. Free of debris.


DRIVESHAFT AND U-JOINTS;

PMS. NBCD. Free of debris. They are not bent or twisted.


FRAME AND CROSSMEMBER;

PMS. NBCD. There are no ilegal holes or welds. They are not bent or twisted.


SPLASH GUARD;

PMS. Not cut or torn. It has the proper clearance from the tires and ground.


FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY:


AIR LINE (TO SLIDING FITH WHEEL);

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. It's not leaking. No loose or missing fittings.


APRON;

PMS. NBCD. It's not bent.


KINGPIN;

PMS. NBCD. It's not bent.


FIFTH WHEEL SKID PLATE;

PMS. NBCD. No missing hardware / no missing pins, nuts or bolts. It's properly lubricated.


GAP

There is no visible light or gap between the apron and the skid plate.


PLATFORM;

PMS. NBCD. No missing hardware.


RELEASE ARM;

PMS. NBCD. It's in the locked position with the safefy latch in place.


SLIDING FIFTH WHEEL LOCKING PINS;

PMS. NBCD. No hardware missing. They are in the locked position.


MOUNTING BOLTS;

PMS. NBCD. All are tight and present. No missing hardware.


LOCKING JAWS;

PMS. NBCD. They are wrapped around the shank of the kingpin.


FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY CLEARANCE;

The fifth wheel assembly is positioned in such a way that the frame of the tractor will clear the landing gear during turns.


MUD FLAPS;

PMS. Not cut or torn. It has the proper clearance from the tires and ground.


TAIL LIGHTS (MARKER LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, 4-WAY FLASHERS AND BRAKE LIGHTS);

PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is red.


BACKING LIGHTS;

PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is clear.


REFLECTORS

PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is red and clear.


AXLE #2


BRAKE LINES;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


BRAKE CHAMBER;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


SLACK ADJUSTOR AND PUSHROD;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


BRAKE DRUMS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


BRAKE LINING OR SHOES;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


TORQUE SPRING HANGER;

PMS. NBCD. No missing hardware / no missing nuts and bolts. Rubber bushing is not worn or missing. Properly secured to the frame.


TORQUE SPRING;

PMS. NBCD. No missing hardware.


02 U-BOLTS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


SHOCK ABSORBER;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


UPPER AND LOWER AIR BAG MOUNTS (REAR SPRING HANGER);

PMS. NBCD. No missing hardware.


AIR BAG;

PMS. NBCD. NABCC. It is not leaking.


INNER AND OUTER TIRER WALLS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


TIRE TREAD;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


VALLEY (SPACE BETWEEN TIRES);

PMS. NBCD. There is no debris or chunks of rubber missing.


RIMS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


LUGNUTS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


VALVE STEM;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


WHEEL SEAL

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


AXLE #3


Same as Axle #2.


FRONT OF THE TRAILER


CLEARANCE LIGHTS;

PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is amber.


BULKHEAD;

PMS. NBCD. There are no holes or missing rivets. The bulkhead is strong enough to hold the load if it shifts during a sudden stop.

 

SIDE OF TRAILER


SIDE OF TRAILER;

PMS. NBCD. There are no holes or missing rivets. DOT tape


DOT TAPE;

PMS. NBCD. It should cover 80% of the trailer lenght. the proper color is red and clear.


LANDING GEAR;

PMS. NBCD. It should be in the raise position. There is no missing hardware. The crank handles is PMS and in the stowed position.


FRAME OF THE TRAILER;

PMS. NBCD. I will check every 4 to 6 ft for ilegal holes, welds and missing crossing members.


TRAILER SIDE LIGHT (MARKER LIGHT, LEFT TURN SIGNAL, 4-WAY FLASHER);

PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is amber.


SLIDING TANDEMS;

PMS. NBCD. The locking pins are in the locked position. The release handle is in the locked position.


ABS LIGHT;

PMS. NBCD. Proper color is amber.


REAR SIDE MARKER LIGHT.

PMS. NBCD. Proper color is red. It indicates the end of the trailer.


AXLE #4


BRAKE LINES;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


BRAKE CHAMBER;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


SLACK ADJUSTOR AND PUSHROD;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


BRAKE DRUMS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


BRAKE LINING OR SHOES;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


FRONT SPRING HANGER;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


TORQUE ROD AND BAR;

PMS. NBCD. The torque rod is round and it's on the driver's side. The torque bar is square and it is on the passegener's side.


LEAF SPRINGS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


02 U-BOLTS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


REAR SPRING HANGER (BUT FRONT HANGER FOR AXLE #5);

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


INNER AND OUTER TIRE WALLS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


TIRE TREAD;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


VALLEY (SPACE BETWEEN THE TIRES);

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


RIMS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


LUG NUTS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


VALVE STEM;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


WHEEL SEAL.

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


AXLE #5


Same as Axle #4


REAR OF TRAILER


MUD FLAPS;

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


REFLECTOR TAPE ON TOP (04 STRIPS);

Same description of the previous item with the same name.


CLEARANCE LIGHTS;

PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is red.


TRAILER DOORS;

PMS. NBCD. The hinges support the weight of the doors. The latches are PMS. NBCD. They work properly. The doors have a rubber seal. It is not worn or missing.


DOT REFLECTIVE TAPE BOTTOM OF DOORS;

PMS. NBCD. It covers 100% of the trailer doors. The proper color is red and clear.


TAIL LIGHTS (turn signals, marker lights, 4-way flashers, brake lights);

PMS. NBCD. Clean. Proper color is red.


BUMPER;

PMS. NBCD.


DOT REFLECTIVE TAPE ON BUMPER;

PMS. NBCD. It covers 100% of the bumper. The proper color is red and clear.


ASK EXAMINER TO CHECK LIGHTS ON THE TRACTOR AND TRAILER: clearance lights, marker lights, headlights, turn signals, 4-way flashers and brake lights.



 


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