Setting Your PM Schedule by Trigger Mileage

Per § 396.3, carriers must have a written PM program. Manufacturers recommend specific intervals; carriers decide their actual schedule.

Manufacturer recommendations (typical Class 8)

• Engine oil/filter change: every 25,000-35,000 miles (synthetic) or 10,000-15,000 miles (mineral)
• Air filter: every 50,000-75,000 miles
• Fuel filter: every 50,000 miles
• Coolant: every 100,000-200,000 miles
• Transmission oil: every 100,000-150,000 miles
• Differential lube: every 100,000-200,000 miles
• Brake adjustment: every 50,000 miles or monthly
• Tire rotation: every 25,000-50,000 miles

Carrier customization

• More frequent if:
  • Severe duty (construction, off-road, heavy idling)
  • High annual mileage (>120K)
  • High-heat operating environment
  • Vehicle-specific issues (driver complaints, prior failures)
• Less frequent if:
  • Light highway-only duty
  • Lower mileage (<60K/year)
  • Well-maintained fleet with good driver care

Required PM program elements

• Written PM schedule
• Triggers (mileage AND/OR time)
• Approval process for skipping PM
• Documentation (PM completed event)
• Driver pre-trip role

How Compass automates this

Compass Vehicles module:

• Defines PM schedule per vehicle (or per fleet)
• Tracks current mileage from ELD or manual input
• Calculates next-due dates based on triggers
• Generates work orders for PM events
• Logs completed PMs in maintenance history

What auditors look for

• Written PM schedule exists
• PM events recorded chronologically
• Driver pre-trip notes referenced (driver-identified issues addressed)
• Maintenance staff or vendor signatures
• Receipts/invoices for major PM work

Common errors

• PM schedule written but not followed
• Mileage tracking missed (ELD not connected to PM system)
• PM events not documented (just done verbally)
• Same template PM regardless of operating conditions

CFR citations

• 49 CFR § 396.3
• 49 CFR § 396.17

How Compass surfaces this

Searchable in Compass Ask. Runs against carrier fleet data when invoked from the relevant tracker. Read-only; no actions without explicit user approval.

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