Timely Tips: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Level I and Level V Inspections
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is an organization that establishes out-of-service standards for commercial vehicles operating in North America. CVSA level I and Level V inspections can place a vehicle out of service if violations are discovered during the inspection process. Level 1 inspections review driver qualifications/standards as well as critical vehicle areas that
Timely tips: NG oil selection, piston ring identification, tire inflation
Using diesel engine oil in a natural gas engine will cause valve torching, piston scuffing and a reduction of spark plug life. Additionally, oils with high ash content may cause valve and/or piston damage that leads to excessive oil consumption and catalyst degradation. You can avoid this by following all engine OEM recommendations and requirements
Eight tips to prepare your trucks for winter
Like it or not, winter is coming. You know the drill: falling temperatures, snow, and ice hitting large swaths of North America, presenting challenges for trucks and fleets. Now is the time to prepare. With harsh weather looming, this installment of the Bendix Tech Tips Series serves up eight pieces of advice for wheel-ends, air
Tech Tip: Ten tips for daily brake lathe maintenance
Like any equipment, your brake lathes need regular care and maintenance to operate at peak efficiency. Keep your brake lathe running smoothly by following these 10 daily tips. Important: Before making any inspection, adjustment or repair, disconnect the power source and lock out all moving parts to prevent injury. Always wear protective clothing and eye
Tech Tips: Five tips to keep your floor jacks from getting jacked up
Most well-made floor jacks will have a long service life in the shop if they are properly maintained. Like all equipment, floor jacks should be inspected regularly for damage and kept clean. The owner’s manual is the best source for specific recommendations on lubrication, when to change the hydraulic fluid and other maintenance requirements. The
Tips for testing electrical systems
Trucks’ electrical systems grow more complex with each passing year. In the past, before the advent of the onboard computer systems, circuits were more likely to keep functioning with corroded terminals, wire insulation hardened and splitting, improperly spliced wires and any number of other issues. With today’s sophisticated electrical systems, proper testing practices and repair
Cold weather starting tips for truck batteries
The colder the battery is, the less efficient it is.
Ready for winter: Truck air line inspection/replacement tips
Air lines should be inspected for damage to avoid failure on the road.
Timely tip: The importance of a quality spring
Quality cable support is important because low hanging air and electrical cables are susceptible to damage, leading to safety issues and/or DOT violations—which also become a CSA issue.
Stertil-Koni shares 10 tips for vehicle lift safety
With the winter season approaching, it’s an important time to solidify your preventative maintenance practices in your shops. With this in mind, lift manufacturer Stertil-Koni recommends 10 top tips for the safe operation of heavy-duty vehicle lifts during cold winter months. “Safety is always mission number one in the service bay,” said Dr. Jean DellAmore, president of
