It’s time to winterize your truck’s electrical systems
Vehicles endure harsh conditions as they work continuously through the changing seasons. Winter can be one of the harshest because of the various challenges it presents with cold temperatures and extreme weather. In particular, excessive water and moisture from rain and snow are very corrosive and can degrade the condition of the vehicle materials. The
How to run a parasitic load test
Jeff Brakley, senior business portfolio manager for trucks at Maxwell Technologies, told FE his method for determining the parasitic load on a truck: This can be accomplished with a digital multimeter (DMM). Prior to running a parasitic load test, the truck must be off, all doors closed and lights turned off. Many onboard computers and other
Timely Tips: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Level I and Level V Inspections
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is an organization that establishes out-of-service standards for commercial vehicles operating in North America. CVSA level I and Level V inspections can place a vehicle out of service if violations are discovered during the inspection process. Level 1 inspections review driver qualifications/standards as well as critical vehicle areas that
How to mitigate diesel exhaust fluid risk
In today’s litigious society, a risk management program is absolutely necessary for fleets using diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). The main portion of a good risk management program is a structured well functioning quality assurance program, explained Acustrip, a supplier of antifreeze coolant, brake fluid make-up water and DEF diagnostics tests. The maximum presence of contaminants
Tire pressure tips
An effective tire policy must address the four key elements that contribute to the extended life of any tire: air pressure; rotation; mechanical maintenance of the vehicle; and speed. While maintaining the proper overall maintenance of steer and drive tires is relatively simple and achievable, the overall maintenance of a trailer tire is the most
Top drum brake inspection recommendations
Safety is paramount, and for brakes it all starts and stops with inspections. The brake experts at Meritor suggest the following top inspection recommendations for drum brake inspections: First, set up the tractor and trailer as follows: 1. Chock the wheels; 2. Charge reservoir to 90 to 100 PSI then turn off the engine; and;
Timely tips: NG oil selection, piston ring identification, tire inflation
Using diesel engine oil in a natural gas engine will cause valve torching, piston scuffing and a reduction of spark plug life. Additionally, oils with high ash content may cause valve and/or piston damage that leads to excessive oil consumption and catalyst degradation. You can avoid this by following all engine OEM recommendations and requirements
Solving stiction: The cholesterol of the diesel engine
Over time, cholesterol builds up in the veins of the human body, limiting blood flow and causing myriad other problems. Often known as the silent killer, cholesterol in the body is very similar to stiction in a diesel engine—the sticky-friction created from the build up of burnt hydrocarbons (oil or fuel). It is often the
Optimizing your reefer for cold weather operations
The winter driving season is upon us and refrigerated fleet managers and operators are dusting off their checklists and winterizing their tractors and trailers from the tires up. This includes performing critical maintenance to keep reefer transportation refrigeration units (TRUs) performing reliably and efficiently. According to Ken Hartman, vice president, aftermarket, for Thermo King, a
Ten maintenance tips for heavy-duty engine coolant systems
More than half of heavy-duty engine failures are due to improper maintenance. The coolant system is responsible for removing approximately 30% of combustion heat of heavy-duty engines, while more than 53% of premature engine failures are due to improper maintenance, says Paul Bandoly, fleet manager Wix Filters. Proper understanding of coolant types and adherence to
Truck air suspension ride height measurement procedure tips
To check the current ride height of suspensions, SAF-Holland recommends the following steps.
Looking at leasing? Tips from Nations Equipment Finance
When you need additional equipment for your business there are numerous financing options out there. From loans to leases, the options can sometimes seem overwhelming. There are several lease options you can choose from including capital leases or finance leases and true leases or tax leases, as Phil Carlson, president and chief executive officer of
