As winter approaches, the days begin to shorten, and the temperatures begin to drop. Although this process may be gradual, it can feel like it happens in the blink of an eye if you aren’t prepared for it. This winter, ensure that you and your semi-truck are ready for the changes that this harsh season can bring about. Follow this checklist to winterize your semi-truck in advance, so that you can have peace of mind later.
(more…)
The crisp, fall air brings with it the likelihood of temperatures dropping enough for truck drivers to experience ice on bridges, sleet, and other dangerous roadway conditions in some parts of the country. As the holidays inch closer and closer, colder weather becomes more of a reality for diesel truck drivers and snow makes its way into the higher elevations and northern states’ forecasts. Roadway conditions can change in the matter of seconds as temperatures drop quickly when the sun goes down and seasoned truckers know all too well what that means for both visibility and overall travel. In 2020, the trucking industry safely delivered 46 million turkeys (an estimated 1.4 billion pounds)–along with all of the sides–214 million pounds of potatoes, 50 million pounds of sweet potatoes, 19 million pumpkin pies, and 80 million pounds of cranberries, to ensure Thanksgiving dinner was complete.
(more…)
The diesel engine is the workhorse of the automotive world. It powers the heaviest loads, from trains to tractor-trailers, and can last for a million miles or more—if properly maintained. Part of that maintenance includes an engine overhaul at some point in every diesel engine’s lifetime, to examine all its components for wear and tear, replace or repair damaged parts, and clean the engine from particle and grease build up. But having your engine overhauled is a costly decision, so it pays to know the right time to do it as well as the consequences of putting it off.
(more…)
When the time comes for DOT inspections, it can be an anxiety-inducing time for truck drivers everywhere across North America. Though they generally occur during the spring and summer, they can happen at any time during the year or at any place. DOT inspections can determine whether a driver is fit to operate their vehicle and whether or not a commercial vehicle is safe enough to be on the road. Because DOT inspections are rather unpredictable events with extremely high stakes, it’s incredibly vital that all drivers are adequately prepared for them. That’s why we’ve compiled some in-depth information about what DOT inspectors look for during inspections as well as how to best prepare your fleet to pass.
(more…)
Routine maintenance on your truck can seem like a hassle, especially when it comes to tediously de-greasing and inspecting components of your tractor-trailer. And with so many types of grease on the market and parts to your trailer, it’s hard to know what to do once you’re elbows deep in the stuff. That’s why our diesel mechanics are here to break down some of the basic questions that fleet managers and truck drivers have about this basic routine maintenance service. We’ll be covering how often you should be greasing your tractor-trailer’s parts, what grease you should invest in, and why you should be inspecting the parts of your tractor-trailer after you de-grease and re-grease them.
(more…)
When we first get our driver’s license, we start getting bombarded with advice on how to take care of our car. Well-meaning parents, grandparents, and friends tell us what we need to do to avoid having any issues with our first vehicles. These words of wisdom usually include when to change your oil, when to fill up on fuel, where to go for maintenance, etc. etc. Some of this common advice is accurate and helpful, but some of these tips are not. Here is a list of some of the most common myths about car maintenance that you need to stop believing.
(more…)