During last year's Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck, brake-related violations and tire issues made up more than half of vehicle out-of-service violations.
With Roadcheck 2025 set for May 13-15, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems offers these tips to keep trucks in compliance.
"According to CVSA, nearly one in four commercial vehicles inspected during last year's event was placed out of service," says TJ Thomas, Bendix's director of marketing and customer solutions. "With brake systems, tires and other aspects of vehicles, attention to detail, consistent training and regular maintenance can deliver real-world safety and compliance improvements."
Brake maintenance
Brake-related violations topped out-of-service statistics last year with 25% of vehicle violations. Brake system-related issues notched another 18%.
"Brake systems are the backbone of any truck's safety suite," says Rick Conklin, Bendix's director of wheel-end engineering. "They not only bring a vehicle to a stop but also help enable advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), like full-stability control and collision mitigation, to operate to their best advantage. If brakes underperform, then the entire safety architecture is compromised."
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Bendix encourages both drivers and technicians to prioritize daily walk-around inspections and periodic in-shop inspections. During walk-arounds, visible issues such as damaged air chambers, slack adjusters out of alignment or extended pushrods can be red flags that a deeper check is needed.
In the shop, Bendix advises technicians to:
- Measure brake chamber stroke and confirm adjustment.
- Conduct brake applications at or above 80 psi and check for air leaks.
- Examine friction for cracks, wear or contamination.
- Inspect drums and rotors for heat spotting or other damage.
- Conklin says brake performance starts with the right friction.
"It's critical to use components engineered to OEM specifications and to meet reduced stopping distance (RSD) standards," he says. "That includes replacing brake pads or shoes in matched axle sets to maintain braking balance. Mismatched or uncertified materials can reduce stopping power and negatively affect safety systems."
Bendix says air disc brakes have easier inspections and reduced out-of-adjustment violations because of their internal automatic adjustment systems. These aspects are making the systems increasingly popular in the heavy-duty industry.
Tires and tractor protection systems
This year's CVSA Roadcheck will focus on tires, including checks for tread depth, inflation, sidewall integrity and proper repair. More than 20% of violations during last year's event were related to tires, with underinflation a leading cause of failure.
"Underinflated tires are more than a wear issue — they're a potential safety liability, increasing the chance of sudden failure due to excessive heat buildup," says Brian Screeton, manager of technical training and service at Bendix. "With today's technology, there's no reason not to monitor pressure in real time and catch problems before they turn into emergencies."
Tire pressure management systems (TPMS) offer more than just inflation alerts, Screeton says. They can identify brake drag, which causes heat and pressure to build up on the wheel-end.
Drivers and technicians should also:
- Check tread depth to ensure it meets legal minimums.
- Inspect sidewalls for cuts, bulges or embedded objects.
- Verify dual tires are properly matched and inflated.
- Conduct regular rotation and alignment checks.
Tractor protection systems are also under scrutiny this year. Last year, the systems racked up more than 550 violations.
"A functioning TPS can mean the difference between a safe stop and a runaway trailer," Screeton says. "Fortunately, confirming that the system works correctly is quick and straightforward."
Here's how:
- Start the engine and allow the air system to fully pressurize.
- Shut off the engine and disconnect both glad hands from the trailer.
- Push in the red trailer supply valve on the dash.
- Air should vent from the trailer supply glad hand until the red valve automatically pops back out.
- Press the brake pedal. No air should escape from the service glad hand. If it does, the TPS isn't sealing properly.
Contamination is another culprit behind TPS issues. Dirt or debris in the glad hand connection can travel downstream to the trailer relay valve, affecting the brake release or causing dragging.
"When glad hands are uncoupled, always cover them using dummy couplers," Screeton says. "It's a small step that helps prevent big problems."
Building a culture of safety
The most effective safety strategies, Bendix says, are built on everyday practices, including equipping personnel with the right training and support tools.
"Many violations documented during Roadcheck can be avoided," Thomas says." But it requires that drivers and technicians know what to look for, understand system behavior and stay informed about evolving best practices."
Bendix says Roadcheck is more than just a once-a-year challenge. It reinfroces the role of inspection, education and accountability in shaping long-term habits.
"It's a chance to turn insight into action and reinforce habits that drive year-round safety," Thomas says. "That's the mindset we want to support across the industry."
