10 ways to improve diesel efficiency - 24-hours | 7-days a week

Some brake violations are easy to understand. Brake adjustment can be confirmed by marking and measuring a push rod. Others can be baffling.

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

The Dangers of Over-Inflated and Under-Inflated Tires

There are many reasons why you should take good care of your car. Not only is your vehicle a very expensive investment that you want to last for as long as possible, but your safety can also be at risk if your car is not performing at its best. One of the most overlooked factory scheduled car maintenance requirements for ALL vehicles is tire care.

Tires should be in good condition at all times. And as soon as they begin to show signs of wear and tear, it is time to have them replaced. In between tire replacement, your tires require regular rotations and balancing, as well as daily air pressure monitoring.

If you fail to take good care of your tires, they can begin to lose their ability to do their job, which can put your safety at risk. Tire pressure is a common problem that can influence your overall tire performance and safety. Be sure to routinely inspect your tires for proper inflation; you don't want them to be over or under-inflated.

The Dangers of Under-Inflated Tires

Bulges can form in the tire walls, which can weaken areas of the tires, and put them at a higher risk of blowing out on the road.

Under-inflated tires will cause reduced fuel efficiency, which affects a driver's budget and vehicle reliability.

Under-inflated tires will impede vehicular mobility, which can be dangerous in the defensive driving scenario and inclement weather, and while navigating small spaces.

The Dangers of Over-Inflated Tires

Over-inflated tires can cause an increase air temperature within them, which can lead to sudden blowouts while driving. They can also lead to an imbalance of contact on the road among all four tires, which can hinder vehicular mobility and handling.

According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

A tire that is 25% above the recommended air pressure is 2 times more likely to be involved in a collision.

A tire that is 25% below the recommended tire pressure is 3 times more likely to be involved in a collision.

There are virtually 11,000 tire-related motor vehicle accidents every year.

Nearly 75% of roadside flats are a result of improper tire pressure.

Flat Tire?

If you get a flat as a result of over or under-inflation, you can try to repair it yourself if you have a spare tire or an emergency roadside kit. If you are not capable of repairing or changing your flat, you can contact a local towing company for 24-hour roadside assistance service.

They can respond to your location within a short amount of time, repair your tire, or tow you to the location of your choice. Whether it is 3 o'clock in the morning or 5:30 rush hour, they have the resources to get you back on the road in no time at all.

10 ways to improve diesel efficiency - 24-hours | 7-days a week

Some brake violations are easy to understand. Brake adjustment can be confirmed by marking and measuring a push rod. Others can be baffling.

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.

Solve safety, efficiency, and accountability challenges with fleet tracking

Speak with top GPS fleet tracking providers who can help solve your unique business challenges.

How many vehicles do you need to track? *

1-45-910-4950-99100-249250+

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

How to Deal with Roadside Emergencies

                                           Some tips on how to deal with roadside emergencies.

Five AAA Rules of the Road

AAA has teamed up with Travel Channel to help make some of Americas Worst Drivers better. Even if youre not on a reality show—or even a bad driver—you can benefit from some of AAAs Rules of the Road. These five basic rules will help keep you safe on the road. For more information on AAA Rules of the Road and Americas Worst Driver, visit AAA.com/RulesoftheRoad.

Most Reliable 2023 Full-Size Trucks Ranked by Consumer Reports, CarComplaints

Looking for a new 2023 full-size truck? Want to know which one is the most reliable 2023 full-size truck? Publisher Tim Esterdahl puts together a list from Consumer Reports and then shows more results from CarComplaints.com. If you are wanting a truck to last for years, this is the video for you. Subscribe for more Pickup Truck and SUV videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/pickuptruck...

Everything you need to know about Bollinger Motors!

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Driving Defensively for CDL Drivers

This training video is for Commercial Drivers License CDL holders and teaches them how to drive defensively while operating big rig, semi trucks and other large delivery vehicles.

Tongue Weight Safety Demonstration

Proper trailer tongue weight improves the vehicle and trailer towing experience by improving performance. Not enough tongue weight or force on the hitch/tow ball causes an increase in trailer sway from side to side, making it difficult to control. Conversely, too much tongue weight or force on the hitch/tow ball could overload the rear tires of the towing vehicle, pushing the rear end of the vehicle around. This could also negatively affect the vehicle handling. Performance is impaired as you might not be able to go around corners and curves properly, and your vehicle may not stop quickly enough when you press the brake pedal.

SAFE STEPS Road Safety: Motorcycles

We all have a role in road safety! So follow these SAFE STEPS to play your part and help save lives. - Stay alert and avoid distractions - - Walk in safe places - - Stop, Look, Listen, Cross - SAFE STEPS Road Safety is a pan-Asian public service initiatives aimed to raise awareness and provide clear and simple life-saving educational messages on road safety. Acclaimed actress and producer, Michelle Yeoh is the SAFE STEPS Road Safety Ambassador. This program is created and developed by Prudence Foundation, in partnership with National Geographic Channel and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). All SAFE STEPS Road Safety tips have been approved by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). For more information please visit: www.safesteps.com