Timely Tips Archives - Page 10 of 14 - Fleet Equipment Magazine
How to fix hazed headlights

Continuously raising awareness regarding the dangers of decreased headlight performance, 3M Car Care has a solution to hazed headlights. According to the company, over time, dim and hazy headlight lenses lead to reduced visibility. Headlights lose their effectiveness due to dirt, scratches, grime and other contaminants. What Causes Hazed Headlights? A chief culprit of dim

Repairing a noisy exhaust system

The experts at Kenworth Truck Co. provide the following tips: • Flex tubing is the first place to look for noise leaks—inexpensive tubing is usually the first spot to fail. Flex tubing should always be installed in a half-extended state. Fully extended flex tubing will cause premature failure. Never use flex tubing to form an

Meeting CSA 2010 guidelines

The new CSA 2010 program identifies 10 different groups of parts and accessories that the government considers critical for safe operation. Among them are lamps; reflective devices; electrical wiring; brakes; glazing and window construction; fuel systems; coupling devices, including fifth wheels; miscellaneous equipment such as heaters; and frames, cab and body components. For any sidelined

Basic preventive maintenance, plus new trends

According to Rick Martin, manager of training for ArvinMeritor, greater emphasis should be placed on preventive maintenance, but in today’s world, everyone wants to just run the truck until it’s “dead.” What needs to be stressed in normal preventive maintenance? • Oil and lube changes at set intervals that the OEM/component manufacturer recommends. • We

Inspect vehicle lifts

Rotary Lift urges technicians and maintenance managers to inspect their lifts. “Maintaining a safe, efficient repair shop is everyone’s responsibility,” says John Rylee, director of marketing. “Technicians should check lifts every day, and the fleet maintenance manager should schedule professional inspections annually. Regular inspections help ensure all the lifts in the shop are operating properly.”

Establishing the right preventive maintenance schedule

According to Freightliner SelecTrucks, every truck purchased or leased from a reputable dealer should come with maintenance manuals. These are a vital accessory and should be kept in a safe place and be readily available. They contain valuable information on topics such as determining scheduled maintenance intervals, lubrication and fluid level checks, noise emission controls

CJ-4 oil analysis benefits

Oil analysis is a scientific way to make sure your lubricants are performing as expected. A regular analysis program lets fleet managers build a historic database and watch for trends in a variety of areas. Ideally, you want to analyze a sample of used engine oil after every oil change. Oil analysis is an early

Heating and air conditioning system tune-ups

The truck experts at Kenworth Truck Co. have some suggestions for keeping trucks running and on the road as warmer weather approaches. Here’s what they recommend: •Check to see if the air conditioner stops cooling at idle or when waiting at a stoplight. •Visually check the hoses, clamps and the drive belt for cracks or

The best time to pull a tire for retreading

According to the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB), experts advise that tires  be pulled when they reach 6/32nds tread depth. By pulling tires for retreading when the remaining tread gets to 6/32nds instead of waiting until 4/32nds or even less, truckers can maximize tire casing life, according to some tire industry experts.  “It

Increase reefer efficiency

When it comes to refrigeration units, Thermo King says a good maintenance program will save energy, time and money. The company offers its customers “Tech Tips” to improve maintenance programs and maximize equipment efficiency and run time: Engines: Any time you replace an engine, install a new oil pressure switch, a new water temperature switch

Noisy exhaust system?

If you have a noisy exhaust, the experts at Kenworth Truck Co. advise: • Make sure that the hangers supporting the exhaust system are not too loose and not too tight, or they will cause noise. • A resonator can be installed to cancel out “bad” sound. • Installing a dual muffler/”Y” connector system can

Information on stopping distances

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that new stopping distance regulations for tractors will be implemented in August 2011. To help fleets prepare for the change, ArvinMeritor has published the following Q. & A. primer: Q. What does the new rule mean and who is responsible for ensuring that it is met?