Fifth wheel care
The Kenworth Customer Service Center offers a wealth of advice regarding fifth wheel care. First and foremost, think safety when you are inspecting your fifth wheel. There are several things that a driver can do: •Keep the fifth wheel lubricated. •Make sure that it is still connecting properly to the trailer. •Verify that a sliding
Seal replacement, proper storage crucial
According to the seal experts at SKF, faulty installation is a common cause of seal failure, but the most common reason is using the incorrect seal for the application. Check the old seal and replace it with a correct seal for the application. Follow these tips: •When replacing an old seal in an application, use
Improving brake performance
ArvinMeritor offers brake-related tips to help truck operators and maintenance technicians get better brake performance. The company reminds fleets to always refer to the product’s maintenance manuals for complete service instructions. Cam brakes: Replace all the springs, anchor pins, bushings and rollers when servicing cam brakes. This includes replacing the cam brake return springs each
Increase uptime of air system components
Simple maintenance checks lead to increased uptime of air system components, according to manufacturer SKF. Maintaining a clean, dry supply of compressed air stands is one of the trucking industry’s biggest challenges. With the use of ABS brakes more prevalent in today’s commercial vehicles, air systems tend to be much more sensitive to contaminants. Transit
Prepare tires for winter driving
With temperatures continuing to dip and clouds beginning to form, it won’t be long ’til Old Man Winter’s wrath of rain, sleet, and snow begins to pelt roadways. Combine nature’s moisture with cold temperatures and there are many things to consider when getting ready for winter driving, especially in the colder regions of the country.
Drought, rainfall can affect coolant source water specs
According to Indianapolis-based Polaris Laboratories LLC (www.polarislabs.com), the most important factor in setting up a cooling system maintenance program is using a source water you know meets American Standards Testing Materials (ASTM) and engine manufacturers specifications for use in engine coolant. Source waters that fall short can cause very serious engine damage. Because geographic location
Toward a cleaner, greener fleet
The trucking fleet of the future — in all of its fuel efficient, low emissions, lead-free glory — isn’t as far away as you might think. It’s also not difficult to transform your own fleet into a cleaner one, according to IMI President, Bob Fogal, Jr., whose EQUAL Tire Performance ushered in a new era
Check-up for your electrical system
Battery woes are common in winter, but what the people in the battery business know is that summer weakens a battery. Heat is what really damages your battery, with the increased demand of cold-weather cranking finishing the job. What can you do about it? Here are six helpful battery tips from Kenworth: 1. Check for
Sail through summer heat
Summer’s here and with it come the challenges that heat brings to your truck. Kenworth PremierCare Parts & Service recommends reviewing the following list as part of your summer prep: Heating and air conditioning Check to see if the air conditioner stops cooling at idle or when waiting at a stoplight. When you’re idling, listen
Drive smart, not hard
According to the American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council, an experienced driver, using the proper techniques, can save as much as 35 percent on fuel consumption compared to an untrained driver. Here’s what experienced, fuel conscious drivers do: Drive slower. Bridgestone recently conducted simulations with one truck and two different drivers and found a
Driving for fuel economy
Additech and the Joe Gibbs Racing champion crew chief Greg Zipadelli have some expert tips to help drivers improve fuel efficiency: 1. Check tire pressure and inspect tires for uneven tread wear – Driving with under inflated tires can cause a loss in fuel efficiency. 2. Remember to tighten fuel caps with each refueling
Tweaks can reduce fuel consumption
Making a few small adjustments in day-to-day operations can yield big savings. Here are a few tips and techniques from Telargo, a provider of mobile asset management solutions. • Train drivers – A properly trained driver can be a company’s best asset in the fight to increase vehicle fuel efficiency. Provide drivers with the most