2017 model year engines: What you need to know
With the New Year comes new engines, which meet the increasingly stringent EPA requirements and improve overall efficiency. There’s a lot to talk about, so we’re going to dispense with the editorial pleasantries and get down to brass tacks. New engine oil category recommendations The introduction of the new engine oil categories—API CK-4 (which replaces
Continental invests a majority stake in Zonar
Continental has announced that it has acquired a majority stake in fleet management technology provider Zonar. The contract has been signed but remains subject to final approval of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice. Zonar, headquartered in Seattle, Wash., employs a staff of more than 300. With the investment in Zonar by Continental, the
Tumbling down the truck data rabbit hole: The realities, possibilities and dangers of trucking’s datafication
Let me tell you why you’re here. You’re here because you know something. You see how data and telematics technology is re-shaping the trucking industry. ECU info streams off of your trucks as they roll productively down the road, as does the location data from your smartphone as you drive into the office and take
Detroit partners with AT&T, Microsoft on connected solutions
Detroit Diesel Corp., a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), has announced collaborations with AT&T and Microsoft Corp. to deliver enhancements to its Detroit Connect suite of connected vehicle services. AT&T will provide Internet of Things connectivity for the new Detroit Connect Truck Data Center platform. The platform, made specifically for the new Freightliner Cascadia,
API FA-4 oil backward compatibility update from Detroit, real-world fleet findings
Fleet Equipment‘s talked a lot about engine oil recently—and with good reason. After all, new engine oil categories (FA-4 and CK-4) will be in place on Dec. 1, and there is no shortage of questions: Which oils are compatible with which engines? How will this impact fuel efficiency? How will older engines benefit from these new oils? These and
Detroit DD5 engine, Freightliner M2106 test drive
We’ve previewed it, detailed the Detroit production facility, and, now, Fleet Equipment finally got its hands on the new Detroit DD5 engine outfitted in the Freightliner M2106. Yountville, Calif., is nestled in the heart of Napa Valley and was the perfect place to put the DD5 through a mock pick-up-and-delivery route. I talked with Chris Moran, MDEG
The challenge of reducing service wait times
Uptime is everything to a fleet. The most important thing for an individual truck’s profitability is the amount of time it spends on the road, running its route and doing its job. When the truck needs service, it needs to be done right, but expedience is also key—fleets don’t want that asset out of commission
Driven by the desire to do more: The 2018 Freightliner New Cascadia
The goal was a 5% improvement in fuel efficiency over what is now dubbed the “Classic” Cascadia Evolution. A lofty goal, considering the already impressive fuel economy offered by the Cascadia Evolution. Yet, when it came time for Freightliner to unveil the 2018 New Cascadia, 5% was in the rearview mirror and it had practically faded
Detroit introduces new Connect platform, including OTA updates
Detroit has introduced a proprietary connectivity platform for the new Freightliner Cascadia. The platform features new vehicle communications hardware that will facilitate new Detroit Connect services to deliver customers deeper insights into their fleets’ fuel efficiency and safety performance as well as enable over-the-air powertrain programming capabilities. The Detroit Connect platform also features technology that
Freightliner unveils new Cascadia
Freightliner has unveiled the newest truck in its Cascadia line, which will be available in 2017. The Cascadia features an updated design, including standard enhancements such as an upper door seal, elliptical-shaped mirrors, sloped hood, bumper with integrated air deflector and integrated antennas all minimize drag. The optional Aero and AeroX packages provide additional aerodynamic benefits