We all have a favorite task we like to do, and we also have our least favorites. Sometimes we tackle those tasks the same way each and every time without changing it up, and that could be causing the ups and downs with our tasks. Hear from our own Jake Schell, about how to approach these every tasks from a new angle in this blog.
GM Graphic Colors & Symbols
These days many OEMs use colors in their graphics to describe repair procedures. They provide a simple universal description for procedures to follow when making repairs. Arrows and symbols are also used and provide additional repair or procedural instructions. Let’s take a quick look at some of these graphics from General Motors available in TruckSeries.
Maintenance Tips to Reduce Tire Wear
In our high-tech age, it is all too easy to overlook the purely mechanical aspects of a truck that have needed to be maintained ever since some ingenious person mounted a wheel to an axle in order to move a load that was too large to be carried or dragged. With the help of our own Jake Schell, here are a few maintenance tips to help you and your fleet to reduce tire wear.
Optimizing with Integrated Engine Components
The heavy truck engine compartment is a busy environment to say the least. Much like popular cities such as San Francisco and New York, space always comes at a premium. In order to optimize all the available space in the engine compartment, OEMs have turned to integrating ancillary items with the goal of more effective use of space. In doing so, they provide other benefits as well.
Tips for Hydraulic Brake Maintenance
The winter months bring some challenging conditions for commercial trucks. Snow, rain and mud seem to get into everything, particularly the brakes. All that wet muck tends to find its way into the wheel brake assemblies, adding a nice layer of grinding material and creating less-than-ideal operating conditions. But honestly, brakes have challenges all year round. See how Mitchell 1’s TruckSeries can help you maintain your commercial fleets brakes and keep your trucks running all year!
Rubber on the Road
Driving down the road at some point all of us have noticed the large and small chunks of tire rubber on the country’s highways and byways. Most technicians know these road hazards can be attributed to big rig trailer tires that have failed and separated; most likely due to low tire pressure or improper re-treading. These faulty repairs can cause accidents due to swerving, and hundreds of thousands of dollars worldwide in property damage to vehicles and infrastructure.
Don’t Overlook Those Vital Incidentals
It’s no surprise that there are many variations when it comes to truck maintenance schedules. The operating conditions for the individual vehicles or the fleet vehicles in general, help to determine what systems need to be serviced and when. In addition, the truck service information source will point out specific components that need to be checked, lubricated, cleaned, or replaced during those services. See how Mitchell 1’s TruckSeries can help you stay on top of those vital maintenances.
Sharpening Your Best Tool!
To be a truck technician requires a lot of time and energy, and requires a major investment in your physical and mental being. Yet, as with every major investment everyone looks forward to a great return. To ensure the best chance at a great return, you must start with taking care of your best “tool”. You! Here are some great tips and tricks to help you get the best of you from our own Chris Wenberg.
The TruckSeries Advantage
When it comes to diagnosing and repairing electrical systems these days it can be tricky. At first glance everything appears to look good, so then why doesn’t it work? That’s where Mitchell 1’s TruckSeries truck repair information comes in, as it gives you the advantage you need to quickly diagnose any issue and complete the repair without replacing unnecessary components.
Engine Control Connector End Views
A lot of what we diagnose these days involves a vehicle having symptoms and a DTC or a Diagnostic Trouble Code. However, occasionally a truck will come into a shop with symptoms and no DTC thus requiring the technician to pop open the hood and figure out what could be wrong. Mitchell 1’s TruckSeries truck repair software complete with 1Search PLUS allows you to search for DTCs, component service information, symptoms and more for the vehicle you are trying to diagnose.
