Safety comes first. This general guide does not determine whether a specific vehicle is safe to operate. Follow vehicle, carrier, cargo, facility, and public-safety instructions.
1. Protect people and traffic first
Move out of active traffic only if the vehicle can be moved safely. Activate warning devices according to applicable rules and company procedures. If the truck, load, spill, smoke, fire, or road position creates immediate danger, call 911 or the proper highway authority before arranging repair.
- Do not stand between traffic and the vehicle.
- Do not crawl under unsupported or roadside equipment.
- Do not open a hot pressurized cooling system.
- Do not continue with unsafe brakes, steering, tires, wheel ends, or active leaks.
2. Pin the exact location
A city name is not enough for a fast response. Record the highway, direction, nearest exit or mile reference, cross streets, truck-stop or facility name, gate instructions, and a map pin when available.
3. Identify the complete combination
- Truck year, make, model, unit number, engine, and transmission if known
- Trailer type, unit number, load status, and visible damage
- Reefer make or model, setpoint, temperatures, fuel, run mode, and alarm code
- Tire size and wheel position for a tire or wheel-end call
4. Describe what changed
Report the first symptom and the order of events. A fault code alone is less useful than the code plus operating conditions, sounds, smells, leaks, temperature, pressure, and whether the unit starts, moves, builds air, or holds charge.
5. Preserve useful evidence
- Photograph warning screens and codes before cycling power.
- Photograph leaks, damage, tire position, and the overall work area from a safe position.
- Record reefer supply and return temperatures and follow cargo-owner instructions.
- Do not clear codes, force a regen, or repeatedly crank unless instructed.
6. Confirm what dispatch actually arranged
Ask for the expected response, current estimate, payment or authorization process, what parts or equipment the technician is bringing, and whether a tow or safer relocation may be necessary. An estimate is not a guaranteed arrival time.