Question:
As an Owner-Operator and a former Diesel Technician, I have seen a lot of examples over the years in regards to the negative effects of not keeping a close eye on whatever truck you're driving, regardless of who owns & maintains it.
We all know that both a company driver and an owner-operator will both be happier and make a better living when their trucks are taken care of.
If you are assigned a truck that appears to have been neglected by a previous driver, don't make matters worse by carrying a sorry attitude and not wanting to do anything about it. Before you leave the yard with that truck, get it fixed to your satisfaction, and while you're still assigned to it, pay close attention to everything, and get in the habit of doing a thorough pre-trip inspection. Over time, the truck will likely become less prone to having problems on the road, and you will make more money due to less downtime. We all know that mechanics can't ride in every truck, so it's the driver's responsibility to be on the lookout for potential problems and report them.
Remember that trucks are only as good as their upkeep, so don't blame the truck if it looks like it was "rode hard & put away wet" by the previous driver- get it fixed & give it some TLC. Before you know it, that truck will take better care of you! Not liable for any information posted.

Answer:
Keep a "log" of any problems you have while on the road. Note date, time, weather conditions, how heavy of a load you are under, etc. Then when you get it to the shop to have an issue fixed it will make it easier for the mechanic to find the problem(s) and fix them the 1st time around.
In addition to helping the mechanics it will help you in that you will not forget to have something written up when your truck does go in for maintence/repair.
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We have drivers out here that can trash a brand new truck in a few short months.
The Company I work for just replaced their fleet with brand new 2004's and 2005's Pete's Freightliners.
I saw the floor board of one of our drivers trucks, a brand new Pete.
There was enough dirt on the floor to grow grass and maybe plant a tree.

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Unfortunately it goes way beyond not taking out the trash with some drivers. I know quite a few that will not even check the oil They figure it is not their "job" to maintain the truck in any way shape or form.
Of course these are often the same fools that gripe the loudest about all the "junk" that the company has and berates the owners for not investing in "good" equipment.
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If it looks that way give it back to them and tell them to give you a better piece of equiptment or find another job where they care a little bit more about you. Thats a real fast sign you don't want to work there.
It sure isn't my job to get some crapped out company truck back into shape. I may keep it in shape when I get it but I won't get ti that way for them. They need to have it done long before I got there.

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My what a negative attitude.
One thing you've failed to learn is to be a successful "Driver" you must
don many unpaid hats. Performing a little "detailing" for free is nothing compared to ALL the others.
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Stuffs, we all know that for a driver who is new to a company, chances are slim that he/she will be assigned to a brand-new, or newer truck in their fleet. I agree with you about asking for a better truck, but if they are willing to take care of the problems that are brought to their attention, then I'll drive that truck after it's fixed.
I was a company driver years ago, and while I would never remove another driver's trash out of their cab, I didn't mind doing some detailing to bring the interior cleanliness up to MY standards. I don't smoke, and I can't stand being in any vehicle that smells like an ashtray .
The original intent of this thread was to help new drivers to understand the importance of being on top of things in regards to a truck's mechanical condition so they will be happier and safer on the road due to fewer problems with it.Not liable for any information posted.

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I've been in some nice older trucks, doesn't have to be new to be clean. If they are willing to clean it and fix it I would also drive it. I would certainl;y ask why they waited until I asked to clean and fix and also how much I would be paid to wait on them.
I agree. Once you get your truck it should be ready to go. After that a driver needs to keep it up to standard.
It's a real shame that a new driver is told he will have to accept things that are wrong because he's new. Older drivers have been doing it for so long it's a norm for them. Just like it will soon become for the newbie.

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No truer words spoken!
When I started driving "full time" in 1995, I went to work for a company that ran regional freight within Texas and the bordering states. They assigned me an old International cabover that- get this- had over TWO MILLION MILES on it, but was very clean, and they had just finished inframing the engine that week before I got there .
I drove that truck for over a year, and I saw how quick they responded whenever I reported a problem. I was in Louisiana one summer when the A/C blew a discharge line off the compressor. They offered to fix it in Lafayette, but when I found out I was going through Houston, I told them I'd stop by there and get it taken care of. They located the part they needed to fix it, and once I got to Houston, I checked the truck into their shop and went to eat dinner. They had my truck ready to go when I got back . That was the only real problem I had with that old truck, and it never left me on the side of the road anywhere.Not liable for any information posted.

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While we are on this subject. If you get assigned to a truck that has not been cleaned (interior) you can always ask what the company will pay you to clean it up. I have gotten up to $60 for cleaning the inside of a truck before, plus the company paid for all supplies needed to get the job done.
You never know unless you ask.
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I currently drive a 97' Western Star with 1,185,560 miles on it. And I have 11 years experience.
This company has about 30 trucks and 20 of them are identical to mine (in miles etc...), and the other 10 are slightly newer with anywhere from 700,000 to 900,000 miles on them.
They have been taken great care of; not neccesarily by the drivers, but by the shop and shop personel.
The company pays close attention to the trucks and knows when they are do for service, and when something is wrong.
They download the information from the computers every time the truck is brought through and hand out azz chewn's to those driving reckless, and bonuses to those who take care of their units.
My boss belives in passing the savings on to his drivers---the shop will tell him how each truck is operating and being taken care of, and the boss rewards drivers that save him money. (MPG, Idle time, panic stops, cruise control percentage etc....the computer can tell all of this).
Checking belts, and fluids, and tire pressure etc... are all part of the drivers daily duties---and the Captain is right; one way or another, keeping up with these things can pay off, or kill you.It's apparent this place is never going to change....then again; why should it? It gets the clientel it deserves.
Bette Midler

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If every or most driver took as good a care of thier assigned truck as if it was there own, driver pay would go up.
Anytime you can help lower the operating costs for your company, it will eventually come back to employees. Maybe not dollar for dollar, but some does and it only makes sence.
The same goes for good trip routing, thinking MPG when driving, ect.
Anything a driver can do to lower costs, works good for the company and the employees. The same goes for the other employees of the company in whatever area they work. But by in large, the costs of operating, maintaining, buying tractors and paying drivers is the largest costs a trucking co has.Hunt, Fish, Shoot

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You've now crossed the "delusional" border on Fantasy Island.
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I got assigned a new Century-class Fruitliner in August 2000. I take fairly good care of it - it's not spotless, but I keep the interior clean, litter-free, and get it in for service as often as needed. I wash it as often as the company permits, and take care of it as if it was my own truck.
It currently has 557,000+ miles on it, and the company has indicated that thy plan to keep it 'until the wheels fall off'.
Because it is one of the old Detroit Diesel (non-EGR) engines, I can outpull any of the newer Centurys with the EGR engines, and I get better fuel mileage.
If anyone gets assigned one of the older Century style trucks, I heartily advise you to take as good care of it as possible, they are far, far better trucks than the newer ones."Climb back in the cab, cross your fingers for luck.
We gotta keep movin' if we're going to make a buck. "
- Roll On Down the Highway, Bachman Turner Overdrive