CAFM Vehicle Maintenance and Repair 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the FMCSA regulations, Class 8 commercial trucks must have their brake adjustment inspected at minimum how frequently during a roadside inspection?
- Every 6 months
- Every annual inspection
- At every roadside inspection as part of the inspection process (Correct answer)
- Only when a brake warning light is active
Correct answer: At every roadside inspection as part of the inspection process
FMCSA roadside inspections include brake adjustment checks as a standard component; out-of-adjustment brakes are a primary cause of out-of-service violations.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a vehicle's differential in a fleet truck?
- To regulate engine idle speed
- To allow drive wheels to rotate at different speeds during turns (Correct answer)
- To transfer power from the transmission to the battery
- To control fuel injection timing
Correct answer: To allow drive wheels to rotate at different speeds during turns
The differential allows the outer drive wheel to rotate faster than the inner wheel during cornering, preventing tire scrub and drivetrain stress.
Question 3: A fleet manager wants to extend tire life across the fleet. Which maintenance practice has the single greatest impact on tire longevity?
- Using premium tire brands only
- Maintaining proper tire inflation pressure (Correct answer)
- Rotating tires every 3,000 miles
- Applying tire dressing products monthly
Correct answer: Maintaining proper tire inflation pressure
Proper inflation pressure is the most impactful factor in tire life; underinflation causes excessive heat and sidewall flex that accelerates wear and risk of failure.
Question 4: When a fleet vehicle requires a wheel alignment, which measurement describes the inward or outward tilt of the tire at the top when viewed from the front?
- Toe
- Camber (Correct answer)
- Caster
- Thrust angle
Correct answer: Camber
Camber is the vertical tilt of the wheel; positive camber tilts the top outward, negative tilts it inward, and incorrect camber causes uneven tire wear.
Question 5: A fleet manager receives a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) from a vehicle OEM. What action is required?
- Mandatory immediate recall repair at dealer expense
- Review and determine if the issue applies to fleet vehicles, then decide on action (Correct answer)
- Ignore it unless vehicles exhibit the described symptoms
- Immediately take all affected vehicles out of service
Correct answer: Review and determine if the issue applies to fleet vehicles, then decide on action
TSBs are informational, not mandatory recalls; fleet managers should review them, identify affected units, and decide whether to implement the fix based on applicability.
Question 6: What is the recommended action when a fleet vehicle's automatic transmission fluid appears dark brown or has a burnt odor?
- Add friction modifier additive to restore fluid
- Perform a transmission flush and fluid replacement (Correct answer)
- Continue operating until the next scheduled interval
- Replace only the transmission filter
Correct answer: Perform a transmission flush and fluid replacement
Dark, burnt-smelling ATF indicates oxidation and thermal breakdown; a flush and fluid replacement should be performed to prevent premature transmission failure.
Question 7: In fleet maintenance, what does 'VMRS' stand for and what is its primary use?
- Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards; standardizes maintenance cost and repair data coding (Correct answer)
- Vehicle Mileage Recording System; tracks odometer readings
- Vendor Management and Repair Schedule; coordinates shop appointments
- Vehicle Monitoring and Remote Sensing; tracks GPS data
Correct answer: Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards; standardizes maintenance cost and repair data coding
VMRS (Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards) is an ATA-developed coding system that standardizes how maintenance and repair data is recorded, enabling cost analysis and benchmarking.
CAFM Vehicle Maintenance and Repair 3
Under the FMCSA regulations, Class 8 commercial trucks must have their brake adjustment inspected at minimum how frequently during a roadside inspection?