Coolant choices are important, here’s why
It’s easy to judge a diesel engine coolant by its color. Easy, and also problematic. The complication comes in as there are two very different types of coolants: conventional fully formulated and extended life (or organic acid technology, or OAT). They protect engines from corrosion very differently and if you mix the two, both will
Early electric truck wins and what’s needed going forward
There are still plenty of unknowns about the road the trucking industry will travel toward zero-emissions trucks, but if 2021 proved anything it’s that early adopting fleets are ready for electric. And the right applications are ready for electric trucks too. Many OEMs touted electric truck orders and deliveries this year. On Volvo Trucks North
Hauling refrigerated goods in the winter: Can it be too cold?
Just a few degrees can make a big difference in terms of quality at the end of a delivery, but can the cold outside affect the cargo inside the reefer unit? Click here to watch more of FE’s On the Road video series. Here is a transcript of the video: For optimal food quality and
Truck service tips for when the snow starts to fly
Like it or not, it’s time to start preparing for winter truck service-related issues. No-starts, frozen air lines–you name it. In this episode of FE Data Center, the two Jasons take a look at what you need to have on your PM check list to make sure you’re ready for when the temperatures drop. Here’s
Making truck drivers happy and meeting decarbonization goals
Greater sustainability through decarbonization doesn’t mean that you have to make drastic equipment choices. Electric trucks are viable for some applications today (and growth into other applications is mostly certain), but not every fleet can be a first adopter. Business basics come into play; but that doesn’t mean that you sit on the sustainability sidelines.
Stop winter from damaging your trailers
Trailers are susceptible to a variety of potential issues when running during the winter. Luckily, with the right maintenance program, much of this damage can be avoided altogether. Click here to watch more of FE’s On the Road video series. Here is a transcript of the video: There are two main areas of concern for
Reducing EV range anxiety through proper planning
Range, range, range. Will it have enough range? What’s the range? How can we improve the range? These are the types of rapid-fire questions that come at the beginning of the electric vehicle conversation. For electric trucks, range varies by manufacturer and can be impacted by the route, operating environment and even the driver’s habits.
Electrical system maintenance to improve aftertreatment performance
Running a regen is an easy out to deal with aftertreatment issues, but even if it fixes the problem in the short term, you’re sure to see that same truck back in the shop with the same set of aftertreatment-related faults. You need to get to the root of the aftertreatment system’s problem, and the
Trailer intelligence: How smart are today’s solutions?
Rob Phillips is a man on a mission. Since Phillips Connect announced its open-platform trailer telematics intentions, the company has been growing the intelligence that its trailer telematics offering can deliver. Now the entire trailer telematics space is evolving at a rapid rate. It’s a trajectory that mirrors tractor telematics but with its own set
The tale of the inefficient engine oil
What’s the scoop, you say? Use your senses, it’s this goop – goblets packed with greases, grails ladled to the brim with oils. It seems I have research to do be I to follow through with my pledge to make my truck engines run like new – this all with a little help from some
Behind the suspension scenes of the Western Star 49X, 47X
When a new truck is launched, we just see the end product. What took years to develop is introduced in an instant, but there’s plenty that goes on behind the scenes. Truck OEMs and suppliers collaborate on equipment specs and options, tinkering with different types of designs and components. In the case of Western Star’s
The tale of the zero-emission zeitgeist
As of late, I fear my diesel engine truck will have little relevancy bore’d. Zero-emissions, batteries, it’s the sound of these that daily make their way to knock at my fleet’s door. But wait, is such a topic worth this hatred born of fear from my own core, or might it be this sustainability tempest
