Essential Chemical Maintenance in Trucking and Fleet Operations
In the trucking industry, maintenance isn't just about keeping vehicles running—it's about protecting lives, meeting delivery commitments, and avoiding costly regulatory shutdowns. Fleet managers face constant pressure to keep freight moving on schedule while navigating a complex web of federal and state Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations that can shut down operations for even minor violations.
"I don't care about the vehicle—I care about the other people on the road. That's why safety really matters," says Andre Murphy, Senior Technical Service Engineer at Lawson. "If a vehicle breaks down, it breaks down. But if a vehicle fails and something catastrophic happens due to mismanagement, misuse, improper tightening of a fastener—that can have catastrophic failures which can seriously injure or kill people on the road. And that's more important."
This reality makes preventive maintenance with the right chemicals absolutely essential. In trucking, postponing maintenance isn't an option when you're responsible for deliveries that must arrive on time. And DOT inspectors are known for shutting down trucks that don't meet strict safety standards.
For owner-operators, heavy fines and violations can be detrimental to their entire business, while larger fleets must maintain compliance across hundreds or thousands of vehicles to protect their operations and reputation.
The chemicals you choose for fleet maintenance directly impact vehicle reliability, regulatory compliance, and most importantly, road safety. From diesel fuel supplements that prevent winter breakdowns to brake cleaners that ensure stopping power, every product plays a vital role in keeping your fleet moving safely and efficiently.
Diesel fuel supplements
When temperatures drop, diesel fuel can quickly become your fleet's biggest liability. Gelled fuel means vehicles sitting idle—sometimes for hours—while you work to heat fuel lines and filters back to a flow state.
A premium diesel fuel supplement eliminates costly downtime by reducing the diesel fuel pour point to –20°F (–28.8°C), preventing fuel line and filter clogging before it starts.
Beyond cold weather protection, these supplements deliver year-round benefits by cleaning fuel injectors and reducing emissions, directly improving fuel economy and engine performance.
Glass cleaner
Clear visibility isn't just about appearance—it keeps drivers and everyone else on the road safe. Professional-grade glass cleaners like Glass Kleen HD power through the grease, dirt, fingerprints, and road film that accumulate on windshields, windows, and mirrors during daily operations.
A quality glass cleaner ensures your drivers have crystal clear sight lines in all conditions and keeps your fleet looking professional.
Brake cleaner
When it comes to brake maintenance, there's no margin for error—lives depend on stopping power. Professional brake cleaners like One Shot Plus are formulated to dissolve and lift brake fluid, grease, oil, dirt, and other contaminants that can compromise braking performance. The deep penetration formula cleans critical components including pads, rotors, calipers, cylinders, and backing plates, while drying without leaving any film or residue that could interfere with proper function.
These cleaners also work on clutch plates, transmission cases, and differential covers, so they’re great to have as part of any maintenance kit.
Penetrating oils and rust breakers
High-performance penetrating oils like Open and Shut work in the toughest conditions—damp, dirty, and greasy environments—to break through rust and corrosion that locks up critical components.
The formula wicks into tight spaces and continually lubricates, freeing stuck bolts, nuts, and other metal components. With high dielectric strength of 39,500V and non-flammable properties, it's safe to use around electrical components and in confined spaces.
Use penetrating oils on exhaust system bolts, suspension components, or any metal parts affected by road salt and weather exposure.
Threadlockers
Road vibration is relentless, constantly working to loosen critical fasteners throughout your fleet. Equip your maintenance crew with threadlockers like Hook & Hold Thread Gel to create leak-proof, shockproof, and vibration-proof connections that stay secure under the toughest operating conditions.
Look for threadlockers formulated as a no-drip gel to fill gaps while offering chemical resistance for long-lasting performance. This will come in handy for everything from oil pan bolts and alternator mountings to intake manifold bolts and drive shaft connections.
A single loose bolt can mean the difference between safe operation and catastrophic failure; threadlockers help provide the security that keeps your fleet running reliably mile after mile.
Truck and trailer wash
Road film, exhaust deposits, and bug residues aren't merely cosmetic issues; they create corrosive buildup that can damage paint, compromise visibility, and hide developing problems during routine inspections.
Professional truck and trailer wash solutions are formulated to tackle the specific contaminants that plague highway vehicles, removing stubborn deposits in a single application without the labor-intensive scrubbing that damages surfaces over time.
The concentrated formulas dilute economically—often up to 1:128 ratios—making professional-grade cleaning cost-effective for regular use. Regular washing also ensures that DOT inspectors can clearly see vehicle identification numbers, safety equipment, and potential maintenance issues, helping your fleet stay compliant and road-ready.
Asphalt and tar removers
Construction zones and freshly paved roads present a hidden threat to fleet operations—asphalt and tar buildup that can permanently damage equipment and compromise performance. This is especially a concern for trucks hauling asphalt.
These sticky, petroleum-based deposits harden over time, making removal increasingly difficult and potentially damaging painted surfaces, undercarriages, and moving parts.
Specialized asphalt and tar removers use powerful solvent action to penetrate and dissolve these deposits without scraping that can damage vehicle surfaces. The spray-and-rinse application saves maintenance time while removing tar, asphalt, accumulated oil, grease, and dirt that standard washing can't handle.
For fleets operating in areas with frequent road construction or through industrial zones, these removers are essential for maintaining equipment appearance, preventing corrosive buildup, and ensuring that vehicles can be properly inspected for safety and compliance issues hidden beneath layers of road debris.
Windshield washer concentrates
Commercial windshield washer concentrates provide both the cleaning power and anti-freeze protection that fleet operations demand throughout the year. During summer months, road grime, bug splatter, and film accumulate faster on vehicles operating long distances, while winter brings the additional challenge of frost, snow, and ice buildup that can compromise driver visibility in seconds.
Professional-grade concentrates are formulated to tackle these year-round challenges while being safe on rubber, plastic, and paint components that standard cleaners might damage over time. The concentrated format allows for seasonal mixing—stronger winter solutions for freeze protection down to 25°F, and diluted summer blends for cost-effective cleaning.
Interior cleaners
Fleet vehicle interiors face daily wear and tear from drivers, passengers, cargo dust, and environmental contaminants, making regular deep cleaning essential for both driver comfort and equipment longevity.
Choose specialized products designed for the diverse materials found in commercial vehicles—from synthetic and natural fiber carpets and upholstery to rubber weatherstripping, vinyl surfaces, and painted trim. Concentrated interior cleaners can tackle everything from everyday soil and stains to stubborn compounds and waxes, with dilution ratios up to 1:20 for cost-effective cleaning across multiple applications.
All-purpose cleaners offer versatility for everything from engines and door jams to carpet and upholstery, while specialized rubber cleaners brighten weatherstripping and bumpers without harming surrounding paint.
Stick to body shop safe, silicone-free formulations that won't interfere with future repairs or compromise sensitive surfaces.
Power wash concentrates
Fleet maintenance facilities face some of the toughest cleaning challenges in any industry—layers of accumulated grease, oil, and road film that standard cleaners simply can't penetrate. Professional power wash concentrates are engineered to cut through these stubborn contaminants in high-pressure washers, steam cleaners, or manual bucket-and-brush applications.
These products are formulated to be safe on aluminum, glass, and painted surfaces—critical when cleaning around sensitive vehicle components. The non-toxic, non-flammable, and biodegradable properties ensure worker safety and environmental compliance, with some formulations even approved for use in federally inspected facilities.
Anti-seize compounds
Anti-seize compounds like Lubri-Temp are essential preventive measures that stop metal-to-metal seizing, galling, and sticking before they become costly problems. Operating in extreme temperature ranges from –30°F to +2,200°F, these compounds protect threaded connections and metal surfaces in everything from exhaust systems and suspension components to engine assemblies and hydraulic fittings.
Anti-seize compounds represent smart preventive maintenance—a small investment during assembly that prevents destructive removal attempts, reduces downtime, and eliminates the need to replace expensive parts that might otherwise be damaged during disassembly.
Built for the Road Ahead
At Lawson, we don’t wait for problems—we help prevent them. Whether you use our managed inventory services or prefer a lighter touch with customer-managed inventory or online shopping, we’ll help you keep the right parts in reach, all year long.