What you need to know about adapting to API CK-4, FA-4
In March of 2016 the American Petroleum Institute (API) announced that it had approved two new diesel engine oil standards: API CK-4 and API FA-4. Dec. 1, 2016 marked the first day these oils became available for fleets. Basic information “[The new oil categories] are designed with improved oxidation resistance, shear stability and aeration control,”
EPA rule-making for heavy-duty truck emissions will not be accelerated
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was recently asked to accelerate the timeline for enacting new regulations regarding NOx emissions from trucks. While the EPA admits that more stringent standards are needed to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx), emissions from heavy-duty trucks, buses and other diesel vehicles, the agency rejected calls from a coalition of state
How to maintain tractor-trailer electrical connection
When it comes to tractor-trailer electrical connections, spec’ing and maintaining equipment is vital. This is especially true these days with fleets seeking to avoid CSA inspections that often lead to time off the road and costly citations. Spec the best “At Peterson, we have been actively selling and promoting our Defender sealed, modular harness and
Optimize routes, save money
So, you run a logistics and distribution fleet and are juggling the rising cost of fuel and equipment—and equipment utilization—as well as a variety of other issues that have left you trying to figure out the best way to optimize your resources. You are not alone. These days most major carriers are focusing on becoming
Bringing transmissions back to life
According to Ramon G. Aguillon, aftermarket sales manager for Allison Transmission, “Every Allison ReTran transmission starts with our commitment to quality and plays out in our ability to bring that transmission back to life using Allison Genuine Parts and our original factory build specs. Transmissions are disassembled part-by-part to clean, qualify and test each component
Reman turbochargers, starters and alternators
“Our reman process includes replacing damaged or worn parts with OEM-validated parts,” explains Thom Miles, BorgWarner’s manager of sales and marketing, N.A. aftermarket. “We recondition usable parts using innovative and environmentally-friendly salvage techniques. Assembly of BorgWarner reman turbochargers are done on advanced assembly lines that employ the same rigorous engineering techniques used for new production
Reman parts offer cost savings and dependability
Remanufacturing engines includes being in compliances with evolving emissions regulations. “The emission guidelines we follow,” begins Dennis Krawczak, engineering manager at the Detroit Reman corporate office, “ensure the engine is remanufactured to the same performance specifications as the original engine. All engines are tested for performance before shipping to the customer. Since Detroit Reman is
GHG Phase 2: The effects on heavy-duty truck fleets
According to John Flynn, chief executive officer of Fleet Advantage, “The initial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) mandates have already saved Class 8 transportation fleets millions of dollars in operating costs by reducing fuel consumption.” On Aug. 16, the federal government passed the proposed regulation, GHG Phase 2, to further tighten emissions and improve fuel economy for
How axles improve traction and safety
A roundup of the latest in heavy-duty axles and how they improve traction and safety. Steve Slesinski, director of global product strategy, planning and management for the commercial vehicle market at Dana Inc., explains how Dana axles fit into creating better traction control, saying…
The benefits of traction control technology
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will require full-stability technology on most new Class 7 and Class 8 tractors—“typical” 6×4 tractors—starting in August of 2017. As with all commercial safety technologies, full-stability systems are subject to the laws of physics, and ultimate responsibility for control of a vehicle remains with the driver. No system
Global innovations & megatrends: A look at fully electric and connected vans
At the recent IAA International Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany, the focus was on future megatrends, which included fully electric vehicles, digitalization for e-mobility and connectivity. I got a look at a concept city deliver van— the nearly completely integrated Vision Van (pictured above)—which optimizes many levels of connectivity, and the all-electric and networked
Fuel savings with APUs
What makes auxiliary power units (APUs) such a good investment today? Bill Gordon, division president of Bergstrom Parts LLC, says that the primary reasons are “fuel savings and less wear on the engine as a result of reduced idling. The fuel savings associated with reduced idling are significant. Omnitracs released a whitepaper recently that quantified
