Happy New Year - 2022!
12/31/21
12/27/21
What Happens To An Engine Without Oil?
in this video we’re going to be discussing what happens when an engine has no oil. As a demonstration, we’ll be viewing an engine with and without oil running. This is the exact same engine on the left and the right, on the left with oil, and on the right without. Both engines will start at the exact same time, but the video on the right was filmed 24 hours after the video on the left, allowing for the engine to completely cool. This is a 212 cc air-cooled single-cylinder Harbor Freight engine.
There are five points we’re monitoring on each engine. Point one is the crankcase, below the level at which oil will rest. Point two is the top of the crankcase, where there obviously won’t be any oil resting near. Point three is the air-cooled cylinder bore. Point four is the exhaust pipe exiting the cylinder before entering the muffler, and point 5 is the valve cover. This is a pushrod style valve train with overhead valves.
Opening the crankcase reveals the permanent damage which occurred. First of all, look at the small amount of oil that didn’t quite make it out while draining. It’s quite dark, and this is after a 15 minute run with oil, and 15 minutes without, in a brand new engine. The oil which remained in the drained engine is clearly quite dirty, and actually it has quite a bit of metal content in it, as you can see reflecting as I move around the towel.
Examining further, I removed the connecting rod cap from the crankshaft. This is the bearing the crank rotates on. You can see the scored, less reflective surface of the cap. Indeed, you can see the scratches on the crankshaft as well. I would expect to see similar issues with the camshaft and cylinder bore as well.
12/25/21
12/23/21
Diesel Engine Exhaust Braking | Ford How-To | Ford
Learn about available diesel engine exhaust braking* and how to use it in your Super Duty® truck.
*Available on Super Duty 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel engine.
12/20/21
Under The Hood - Tire Tread and Pressure
Check the tread and pressure to get the best performance from your tires
12/16/21
Good Headlights Mean Fewer Crashes - IIHS News
Good IIHS headlight ratings linked to lower crash rates
The headlight ratings program developed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is reducing dangerous nighttime crashes in the real world, a recent study shows.
Nighttime crash rates per mile are nearly 20 percent lower for vehicles with headlights that earn a good rating in the IIHS evaluation, compared with those with poor-rated headlights, the study found. For vehicles with acceptable or marginal headlights, crash rates are 15 percent and 10 percent lower than for those with poor ratings.
12/13/21
Tommy Gate Tuckunder Series: TKL
The TKL models feature a single-cylinder, power-down, highly efficient design, and accommodates bed heights from 33 to 47 inches. Lightweight and durable, the TKL combines sleek modern engineering and 2500lbs. of lifting capacity and has applications to fit all major flatbed, stake and van bodies. Visit www.tommygate.com/TKL for more information.
12/11/21
Beginning as a Cardboard Prototype, the 2022 F-150 Lightning Pickup’s Mega Power Frunk Now Boasts the Largest Front Trunk in the Truck Industry
• Ford truck and fleet owners and customers guided decision-making for the innovative design of the F-150 Lightning pickup’s Mega Power Frunk, leading to multiple power sources and enough space to house two golf bags
• Ford user experience team uncovered important customer wants with cardboard prototype made in a few hours with scissors, a razor blade and a hot glue gun
• Mega Power Frunk design and engineering teams faced lofty challenges, including an asymmetrical frunk, drainable floor and waterfall hood design to meet customer expectations
DEARBORN, Mich.– A cardboard box found a new lease on life after being recruited by Ford to help develop a new feature known as the Mega Power Frunk. The all-electric 2022 F-150 Lightning pickup’s new front trunk or, as it’s known in industry speak “frunk” is the largest in the truck industry – with 400 liters (14.1 cubic feet) of cargo space and maximum payload capacity of 400 pound
“The F-150 Lightning pickup’s Mega Power Frunk is one of those features that reshape what vehicles can provide for customers. It’s sheer size, ample power supply, drainable floor and open and close system that opens with the touch of a button make it frunking awesome!” said Linda Zhang, F-150 Lightning Chief Program Engineer.
What many don’t know is this spacious and dynamic space began life as a simple cardboard box with a cutout front door and a liftable hood.
Understanding the Customer’s Needs
It began back in February 2018 with Team Edison – Ford’s dedicated battery electric vehicles incubator that incorporates close collaboration between different teams to find solutions to customer needs. A small group of young user experience designers set out to California, where they sat down with actual Ford truck and fleet customers to talk about how they might use such a feature. The prototype, made of cardboard for simplicity and cost and built in about a day using scissors and hot glue, was brought to every meeting to help customers visualize the opportunity.
In the studio, Greg Ardisana, design strategy director, passenger vehicles, and other Team Edison research members worked as consultants alongside engineering and design whenever they had customer use questions, which led to a close-knit collaboration between groups.
Once the frunk is open, customers can fill it with ice and drinks to “frunkgate” it, since it’s water-resistant, cleanable and has a drainable floor.
Steve McInally, frunk feature supervisor, said the team explored every detail as an opportunity. “We put the customer first in every decision we made and were able to deliver on a Mega Power Frunk,” he said. “And it’s going to blow people’s minds.” The 2022 F-150 Lightning pickup will be available starting Spring 2022.
# # #
1 - Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution.
2 - FordPass App, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of connected, increasingly electrified passenger and commercial vehicles: Ford trucks, utility vehicles, vans and cars, and Lincoln luxury vehicles. The company is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, connected vehicle services and mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 184,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company is available at corporate.ford.com.
12/08/21
How Tires Are Made
Ever wondered how tires are made? Well now, you can find out.
We develop pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in Hanover, Germany, in 1871, we are one of the world’s leading automotive supplier we offer safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation and have done for over 150 years.
Our tires business division has 24 production and development locations worldwide. We are one of the leading tire manufacturers with more than 56,000 highly skilled employees. We rank among the technology leaders in tire production and offer a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial and special-purpose vehicles, as well as two-wheelers. Through continuous investment in research & development, we make a major contribution to safe, cost effective and ecologically efficient mobility. Our portfolio of our tire business division includes services for the tire trade and fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for tires.
12/05/21
Drivetrains 101 | Consumer Reports
A car’s drivetrain is how you get power from the engine to the wheels. Consumer Reports’ expert explains the difference between front-wheel, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel, and four-wheel drive.
12/02/21
Keeping Your Car (and Truck) Sensors Clean | Consumer Reports
Today's cars come with cutting edge technology designed to help keep you safe. Consumer Reports' expert explains how these revolutionary innovations can stop working with one simple thing: dirt.
11/29/21
Run on Less Electric - Purolator
"We're really proud, we are the first national company to deploy a fully electric vehicle. In addition to Toronto and Montreal we have deployed 5 fully electric vehicles in Vancouver. Our goal is to become the greenest courier company in Canada." - Paul Merrick, General Manager, Western Canada, Purolator.
Follow our journey with Purolator during North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and RMI's Run-on-Less Electric.
11/26/21
It takes the whole company to make a fleet safe
Changing fleet culture to prioritize safety along with adding advanced technologies to commercial vehicles can have the biggest effect on turning a “high risk” fleet into a safe fleet, according to a recent study.
One single fix can improve safety performances of a fleet. But making comprehensive adjustments can take a fleet from “high risk” to safe, according to a recent study by the National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence (NSTSCE), that shows changes throughout a company can reduce crashes and strengthen safety.
Follow this link for the rest of the story: https://www.fleetowner.com/safety/article/21704179/it-takes-the-whole-company-to-make-a-fleet-safe
11/24/21
11/23/21
Eliminating the driver shortage
Now is the time to take action to get more young people into the industry at a time when people in the country are feeling good about trucking.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I want to talk about the driver shortage again. Recent events have once again shown us that the trucking industry is woefully short of drivers and that it is a situation that is not expected to get better any time soon. The American Trucking Associations predicts that over the next decade we will need about 1.1 million drivers—110,000 or so a year.
I am, however, a bit hopeful with the reintroduction of the DRIVE-Safe Act which would allow truck drivers under the age of 21 to drive across state lines once they have completed both safety training and an apprenticeship program. To be clear, these are people who already have their commercial driver' license (CDL) and are already likely driving intrastate.
Click here for the rest of the story.
Source: https://www.fleetowner.com/industry-perspectives/ideaxchange/article/21164809/eliminating-the-driver-shortage
11/19/21
GM teases Silverado EV with Glass Roof!
GM reveals a quick sneak peek of its all-new Silverado EV truck with a glass roof. The company announced it will offer more details at CES 2022.
11/13/21
Who Must Stop at Scales?
California's "Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facilities" are commonly called weigh stations or truck scales. These facilities are operated by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), not by Caltrans. However, Caltrans receives many inquiries about weigh stations. This page is designed to answer some of those questions. The links provide access to the on-line California Vehicle Code (CVC).
CVC Section 2813 outlines who must stop at weigh stations and inspection stations:
2813. Every driver of a commercial vehicle shall stop and submit the vehicle to an inspection of the size, weight, equipment, and smoke emissions of the vehicle at any location where members of the California Highway Patrol are conducting tests and inspections of commercial vehicles and when signs are displayed requiring the stop. Every driver who fails or refuses to stop and submit the vehicle to an inspection when signs are displayed requiring that stop is guilty of a misdemeanor.
CVC Section 260 defines "commercial vehicle" (bolding added):
260. (a) A "commercial vehicle" is a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
(b) Passenger vehicles which are not used for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit and housecars are not commercial vehicles. ...
(c) Any vanpool vehicle is not a commercial vehicle.
(d) ...
CVC Section 410 defines a "motor truck" (bolding added):
410. A "motor truck" or "motortruck" is a motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
CVC Section 471 defines "pickup truck" (bolding added):
471. A "pickup truck" is a motor truck with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 11,500 pounds, an unladen weight of less than 8,001 pounds, and which is equipped with an open box-type bed not exceeding 9 feet in length. "Pickup truck" does not include a motor vehicle otherwise meeting the above definition, that is equipped with a bed-mounted storage compartment unit commonly called a "utility body."
Learn more at: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/traffic-operations/cvef/weigh-stations
11/12/21
When to Replace Your Tires | Consumer Reports
The lifespan of a tire can range anywhere from 25,000 miles to 100,000 miles. The experts at CR show you how to check your tires so you’ll know exactly when to replace them.
Check out https://www.ConsumerReports.org
for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez
11/09/21
Top 5 Safe Driving Tips
The roads can be dangerous! And, of course, we all want each other to get home safely. Here are CARFAX's Top 5 Safe Driving Tips!
11/06/21
Customer Review at North Bay Truck Center
Service
Communication
Professionalism
Great Service
Was getting a really bad ride with my RV. Reading my RV Forum I noticed other RVers had the same problem and mentioned getting an alignment and their suspension checked out. I checked the internet for service shops that did that and found a couple, but was referred to North Bay Trucking Center if I wanted it done right. Got an appointment, got the service done, and am road-ready and an extremely happy camper. My RV rides like a dream now.... My thanks to the crew at NBTC.
ella b.
Anntioch, CA
See all customer reviews of NBTC at: https://www.customerlobby.com/reviews/6547/north-bay-truck-center
11/03/21
How Cars Communicate With One Another | Consumer Reports
Technology is allowing more and more vehicles to communicate with each other on the roadways. Consumer Reports’ expert explains what V2X is and how it works.
10/30/21
How 4WD (4x4 - Four Wheel Drive) Works - 2H, 4H, 4L, LSD, Centre Diff, Diff Locks, Traction Control.
A complete and thorough video on how four wheel drive (4WD) 4x4 systems work. This video will look into depth on how part time and full time four wheel drive systems work, operate, what to expect and when to use it. It will cover in depth the following: - Drivetrain Fundamentals - Part Time 4x4 - Full Time 4x4 - Open Differentials - Locked Differentials - Torque Distribution - Torque Multiplication - High Range - Low Range - Transfer Case - Crawl Ratio - Limited Slip Differentials - Brake Traction Control - Wind-Up Phenomenon - Diagonal Wheels Phenomenon - Free Wheeling Hubs
10/27/21
Equipping a Truck for All Seasons
Derek Broderick (center) stands in front of BlackHawk Works' office with his wife and daughter. The company has equipped a F-250 with a snow plow and a F-450 with a chip box. Photo courtesy of BlackHawk Works.
The bitter cold of winter is an excuse for many businesses to shut down. In Alaska, it’s merely the time to switch gears. To continue working through winter, Derek Broderick’s tree removal company added snow plows to two of its trucks.
“The weather here in Alaska dictates a lot of your working season,” says Broderick, owner of BlackHawk Works in North Pole, Alaska. “Everyone is frozen in time in the winter and then everyone comes out in the construction season during the summer.”
After retiring from the military, Broderick started his company with a Ford F-450 used for stump grinding and tree removal during the summer and snow plowing in the winter. Currently, he uses an F-250 and F-450 for snow plowing.
“I use Boss snow plows,” says Broderick. “I can use both plows on either truck since they have the same mount. If one plow goes down, I can flip-flop the plows and use the other one.”
As of last year, he had hired three full-time employees for the summer season. “As I was growing my business, I was working at another company. After about three years, we had such good growth that I decided to focus solely on my business. From 2014 to 2015, we grew by 52%.”
In addition to covering jobs in North Pole, Broderick’s trucks travel to Fairbanks, about 12 miles south, and as far as Delta Junction, about an hour away.
Multi-Use Trucks
Based on its motto “We Grind, We Plow, We Clear,” BlackHawk Works can complete all of these services with its small truck fleet.
After purchasing an F-250 for snow plowing, Broderick added an F-450 with a dump box on the back; it became the company’s chip truck. When he bought a second F-450, Broderick added a custom-made chip box.
“The chip box sits on top of the F-450 flat bed,” says Broderick. “We designed it and the auto body shop built it. It also contains shelving units to store chainsaws and blowers.”
For big jobs requiring two trucks, the F-450 with the dump box can also be used with a temporary chip box. When not used as the second chip truck, this F-450 pulls the stump grinder and stores other equipment for tree removal. The stump grinder is transported by the truck and then self-propelled on wheels, he says.
In addition to trucks, BlackHawk operates several pieces of equipment including two chippers, two stump grinders, and a Caterpillar 299d used for land clearing.
Seasonal Schedule
BlackHawk uses the off-season to maintain its vehicles and equipment. Broderick takes his trucks to his local Ford dealership for routine maintenance checks. Although the vehicles and equipment are still fairly new, there is some wear and tear, he says.
The off-season also gives Broderick and his employees time to rest. The summer season is prime construction time, and Broderick and his team work long hours to take advantage of the longer sunlight hours and warmer weather.
“We go and go since we have so much daylight in the summer,” says Broderick. “On summer solstice, we have 22 hours of sunlight. After summer solstice, you start losing daylight each day up to winter solstice. The prime construction season is usually May through September.”
Source: http://www.worktruckonline.com/channel/operations/article/story/2016/05/equipping-a-truck-for-all-seasons.aspx
10/25/21
Tire Blow Out Reaction Tips
Tires are the most important part of your vehicle and unexpected blows outs happen almost everyday! Watch this video to find out the two key steps to keep you safe in the event of a tire blow out.
10/22/21
How Do Traffic Lights Work?
Traffic signals are those three lights that tell you when to stop, when to go, and when to proceed with caution. If these traffic lights weren't used, our intersections would be chaotic!
10/19/21
Automatic Emergency Braking in Large Trucks
A new IIHS study finds that automatic emergency braking systems in large trucks are reducing rear-end crashes by over 40 percent.
10/16/21
We Install and Repair Liftgates - North Bay Truck Center
What is a lift gate?
While the use of the lift gate is essential for a lot of companies, and pretty much any residential shipment, there are some instances where a lift gate service is not required. Companies with a shipping dock don’t require a lift gate because the truck can back the trailer right up to a platform, then the freight can be unloaded from the trailer using a forklift, pallet jack, or other types of machinery. But the lift gate service is designed for companies that don’t have a shipping dock or access to a fork lift. When making arrangements with a shipping company it is important to know if the destination you are shipping your freight to is equipped with a loading dock or a forklift, if not then you will need to add the lift gate service to your shipment.
Article Source: https://www.freightratecentral.com/blog/lift-gate-service-important-know-need
Photo Source: http://www.tommygate.com/liftgates/flatbed-and-van/
10/13/21
4 Questions About Brake Violations
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week last fall saw 12% of the 43,565 commercial motor vehicles inspected placed out of service for brake-related violations.
With more than one out of every 10 trucks operating with brake-related violations serious enough to take it off the road, we talked to Kerri Wirachowsky, the director of CVSA’s roadside inspection program, about some of the recurring questions she faces regarding brake violations.
1. How can I be put out of service for one service brake violation? The last time it happened, I was allowed to continue my trip.
The out-of-service criteria for service brakes is broken into two parts. You have service brakes over the entire combination, but there’s a separate section just for the steering axle brakes.
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Steering axle brake violations are more critical than those on the rest of the combination. If you have a brake on the left and you don’t have a brake on the right, it’s going to pull to the left. So if you have an inoperative brake on the steer axle, that truck is automatically put out of service.
If that same inoperative brake is on the second or third axle of a tractor, that one inoperative brake will not exceed the 20% calculation for the out-of-service criteria. [No more than 20% of the vehicle’s brakes can be defective.] Therefore, that truck will leave with an inoperative brake violation on the tractor, but it is allowed to continue to its destination.
If I also have a brake out of adjustment or a contaminated lining somewhere else in that combination, the inspector is going to use that inoperative brake as one defective brake towards the 20%. Now I have two service brakes that are in violation, and that, too, will place the vehicle out of service.
2. How can I receive multiple violations for the same brake?
Let’s say you’ve got a contaminated lining, and it’s inoperative, and the brake is out of adjustment – it’s bottoming out, and the linings are not contacting the drum.
That will only account for one defective brake. I have three violations, and they’re all going to be documented on the inspection report. But it’s only counted as one defect towards that 20% out-of-service calculation. The driver can go and repair that at his final destination.
If I find another brake that has a violation, now he’s out of service for two defective brakes.
All of those violations get documented, and all of those have to be repaired.
Source; Read more here: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10142523/4-questions-about-brake-violations
10/09/21
We will Service Your Motorhome at North Bay Truck Center
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10/07/21
10/04/21
How to Set Trailer Brake Gain | BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale
This video describes how to use the Trailer Brake Gain feature of the CURT BetterWeigh™ mobile towing scale. With this feature, you can easily set up your brake controller without the need for traditional methods of taking multiple passes and guessing at the optimal gain setting.
The CURT BetterWeigh™ #51701 is a Bluetooth-enabled OBD2 device that wirelessly syncs with your smartphone to provide a variety of vehicle and trailer weights. This includes vehicle weight, GCW, payload, tongue weight and pin weight, as well as weight distribution setup and trailer brake gain.
To begin setting up your trailer brake controller with the CURT BetterWeigh™, find a flat, open area to park your vehicle. Select the Trailer Brake Gain option from the home screen. Then, follow the screen prompts and enter your trailer weight and combined weight. Select your trailer type.
Next, calibrate your towing setup. Set the brake controller gain to 3. With the vehicle in gear and at a complete stop, fully activate the manual override on the brake controller. Then, accelerate in a straight line to 15 mph. When the progress bar fills up all the way, BetterWeigh™ will provide the optimal gain number. If wheel lockup occurs, tap the Lock-Up Occurred button and start again, adjusting the gain to the BetterWeigh™ recommendation.
If you increase the load on your trailer, enter the new trailer weight and BetterWeigh™ will automatically provide a new trailer gain number.
BetterWeigh™ is compatible with Apple and Android phones. Download the BetterWeigh™ app from Google Play or the App Store.
10/01/21
Cummins On Highway Electronic Engine Features - Load Based Speed Control
Load Based Speed Control or LBSC is an electronic feature that is programmable on the Cummins ISX15 and ISX12, and ISX12 G engines. LBSC encourages the driver to shift into the next gear as soon as possible and is active in all gears except the top two. LBSC turns off when applications are above 100,000 lbs GCVW, during tire scrub events, and when grades exceed 2%. To set up or adjust LBSC trim settings, download PowerSpec, a free computer application, and talk to your local Cummins representative to receive free licensing rights. For more information, visit the feature description section of http://cumminsengines.com/powerspec.
9/28/21
North Bay Truck Center – Helps FedEx Deliver On Time
FedEx – “The World On Time” means that
their equipment must be well maintained, ready to go when and where deliveries
are needed.
For 18 years, North Bay Truck
Center has been providing the city of Fairfield, California and the North Bay
area with commercial truck and trailer repair services. We are the largest
retail truck shop from Oakland to Sacramento. Our facility has eight bays that
are capable of accommodating any truck or trailer.
At North Bay Truck Center, we
understand that experience and expertise is important when it comes to truck
service and repair, which is why all of our repairs are performed by factory
trained mechanics.
We service and repair HD trucks and
trailers, medium duty trucks, and light duty trucks. We can service units at
your location as well as our own depending on the service or repair.
We service and repair diesel and gas
engines, transmission problems, and heating issues, just to name a few. We also
sell brand name tires for fair prices and have an extensive HD truck parts
department, stocking a huge selection of parts for Series 5-8 Class trucks in
addition to truck accessories. If we don’t carry the part, we are generally
able to get them right away, and when something is not available, we may be
able to fabricate what is needed to get the job done for our customers.
Can’t come to us? Don’t worry…North
Bay Truck Center is the Home of A&T Road Service, a mobile truck repair
service. We have four service trucks ready to come to your location to repair
and service your vehicle.
9/25/21
Customer Review at North Bay Truck Center
Service
Communication
Professionalism
Great Service
Was getting a really bad ride with my RV. Reading my RV Forum I noticed other RVers had the same problem and mentioned getting an alignment and their suspension checked out. I checked the internet for service shops that did that and found a couple, but was referred to North Bay Trucking Center if I wanted it done right. Got an appointment, got the service done, and am road-ready and an extremely happy camper. My RV rides like a dream now.... My thanks to the crew at NBTC.
ella b.
Anntioch, CA
See all customer reviews of NBTC at: https://www.customerlobby.com/reviews/6547/north-bay-truck-center
9/22/21
Stop. Trains Can't.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have launched a national railroad crossing safety ad campaign to increase public awareness around railroad tracks and reduce crossing deaths and injuries. Although accidents at railroad crossings are an old problem, the problem is easily avoidable. This ad is the latest in a three-year, focused effort to reverse the uptick in railroad crossing fatalities. Its message is simple: Stop. Trains can’t.
For more information, please visit: https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/rail-grade-crossing/stop-trains-cant.
9/19/21
Electric Cars 101 | Consumer Reports
Electric cars are bringing some of the biggest changes the auto industry has seen in years. Consumer Reports’ expert explains why these vehicles might not be as new-fangled as you think.
9/16/21
Complete Line Of Grote Lighting and Electrical Products
North Bay Truck Center stocks the entire line of Grote lighting and electrical products to take care of any need our truck customers might have. Whether it is for light duty trucks all the way to class 8 heavy haulers, North Bay Truck Center in Fairfield CA has the inventory and expertise to get the job done effectively and quickly.
See more at http://www.northbaytruckcenter.com
9/12/21
What To Keep In Your Truck or Car
by: Carry Trainer9/10/21
NBTC has the Largest Supply of Trailer Parts in the Area
Tour of the Trailer Parts inventory at North Bay Truck Center
http://www.northbaytruckcenter.com
NORTH BAY
Truck Center
Home of
Home of
A&T Road Service
1245 Illinois Street
Fairfield, CA 94533707-427-1386
1245 Illinois Street
Fairfield, CA 94533707-427-1386
http://www.northbaytruckcenter.com
9/07/21
10 ways to improve diesel efficiency 24-hours | 7-days a week
Ten lessons learned during NACFE’s Run on Less event
prove what fleets can do to improve its miles per gallon.
In all of the excitement about developments in electric trucks, I want to make sure we don’t lose sight of the necessary work of improving the efficiency of diesel-powered vehicles. They will make up the majority of the new truck production for a while.
As many of you may recall, in 2017 during NACFE’s first Run on Less, seven drivers achieved an average 10 MPG over a three-week period. Remember that was the average of all seven trucks over the 17 days (99 truck-days) with four truck-days reaching between 12.5 and 13.0 MPG.
Since that event, we are hearing more fleets and drivers talk about striving to reach 10 MPG consistently. As we analyzed the data from the Run we came up with what we called 10 Actions to Achieve 10+ MPG.
Whenever I am asked about what one thing can make a difference in improving MPG, I always refer to our 10 Actions graphic. The truth is there is no one thing that will get a fleet to 10 MPG. Each fleet has different operating conditions, duty cycles and challenges. And each fleet is at a different point on its path to better MPG.
It’s been awhile since I talked about the 10 Actions, so I hope you won't mind if I do so now. I figure a little refresher is always a good thing.
In no particular order, here are the 10 lessons we learned about improving MPG from Run on Less 2017.
- Use downsped powertrains and AMTs: AMTs enable downspeeding but be aware that the most aggressive downspeeding is best suited for applications with high average speeds and a low amount of starts and stops.
- Educate and incent drivers: The driver is one of the key elements to success in achieving high MPG. Hire drivers that are already committed to driving in a fuel-efficient manner or train existing drivers about how to save fuel. Enlist the aid of drivers who are getting excellent MPG to share their tips and secrets with other drivers and to talk about why good MPG matters.
- Buy all available tractor aerodynamics: Manufacturers have worked hard to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of their base models but adding all available sleeper tractor aerodynamic devices has proven to have a high ROI in line-haul applications.
- Adopt appropriate trailer aerodynamics: Look at trailer aerodynamics in three key areas — side, rear and front. Invest in those that are most appropriate depending on the characteristics of your duty cycles.
- Optimize cruise control and vehicle speed: Engine parameter settings are your friends. Use them wisely to optimize for fuel efficiency. And remember to review them periodically or as your operation changes. Tweak as needed.
- Keep equipment well maintained: Solid maintenance practices ensure vehicles run as intended and play a role in improving fuel efficiency.
- Implement the right axle configuration: Use the correct axle specification for the job depending on payload, speed, maneuverability and fleet practices related to tire management.
- Embrace low rolling resistance tires: Low rolling resistance tires are one key element to achieving high MPG but be sure to make tire selection based on application and region.
- Provide tools to reduce idle time: The truck should be shut off whenever possible, but drivers need to be comfortable and have access to creature comforts as well. Technology and engine parameters can help you achieve both goals.
- Build a culture of methodically choosing technologies: Make sure you have a process in place to vet technologies that can increase fuel economy. It is imperative that you understand the performance they can achieve and their payback or ROI.
SEP 02, 2020
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