Best of the Blogs – 2020 Truck Repair Information “Did You Knows”
The CVG team — our commercial vehicle group, also known as our truck repair experts at Mitchell 1 — were very busy last year. In addition to working hard on improving the medium- to heavy-duty truck repair software and getting repair information documented in a timely manner, they also shared their knowledge here in the ShopConnection blog.
Last year, they continued their passionate commitment to helping commercial truck repair shop owners and their teams by educating them on industry trends, new tips n’ tricks and other helpful information that makes life in the shop easier.
Below is a digest of just a few of the pearls of wisdom from our experts— all of which we hope you find help you get to your fix faster!
Peek-a-Boo — How Dash Cams are Helping Fleets
Published January 8, 2020
Fleets are embracing the addition of these cameras for many reasons. Cameras can improve safety by helping to identify drivers who are taking risks while driving — they can detect things like distracted driving, speeding and more. The recorded events may then be used as a training tool.
Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow?
Published January 22, 2020
A truck repair shop is obviously a noisy environment, with the cacophony of air tools operating, engines running, and various other sounds constantly present when servicing and repairing vehicles. Hearing loss can be a big problem for technicians, but there are many preventive measures you can take.
Tire Safety Tips
Published February 19, 2020
Tires are clearly the unsung heroes of the road, doing exactly what they were designed to do mile after mile without a lot of fanfare. Nevertheless, as tires are the buffer between the truck and the road, they take a lot of abuse running on what are often some fairly rough roads. Thus, tires are a vital maintenance point to keep the truck moving down the road safely and efficiently.
Avoid the Wiper Blade Blues
Published March 11, 2020
“My wiper blades streak, chatter and don’t clean the windshield anymore.” If that refrain if familiar to you, here’s a rainy-weather tip to keep your customers driving safe and not singing the “Wiper Blade Blues.”
Tips for Testing Electrical Systems
Published March 27, 2020
With today’s sophisticated electrical systems, proper testing practices and repair procedures are critical in ensuring a proper diagnosis and repair. Let’s take a look at some of the potential problems and solutions that may be encountered.
Location, Location, Location
Published April 7, 2020
Mitchell1 TruckSeries provides component locations in various places throughout the articles. Just type the name of your component into 1Search Plus or locate component in correct category located in the Service Manual menu. You will find them in Component Locations, Removal and Installation, Engine Views or Description and Operation sub titles.
Spring Cleaning Time? Don’t Forget Your Tool Box
Published April 16, 2020
Your tool box is probably the single biggest investment you will make during your career. Protect your investment by keeping it clean, neat and well organized. It will definitely pay off in the long run.
Help for Replacing Pulleys, Belts and Routing
Published May 7, 2020
Mitchell 1’s truck repair software has taken all the guess work out of the correct serpentine belt routing, removal and installation procedures to get that truck back on the road quickly.
Diagnostic Complexity Keeps Growing
Published May 27, 2020
Today, engines need to meet ever-increasing emission requirements while at the same time increasing in power output as well as efficiency. As a result, the technology necessary to provide clean, efficient and powerful engines is more refined than ever before.
Avoid Downtime from Coolant Leaks
Published June 9, 2020
Fleets may pay greater attention to truck cooling systems when preparing for seasonal changes where extreme low or high temperatures test the capabilities of the system. This extra attention to the cooling system does help keep the truck on the road. However, the best way to avoid downtime is to keep the cooling system in proper order with regular maintenance and pre-operation checks.
Hidden Pearls of Mechanic Wisdom
Published July 25, 2020
Virtually every technician in the vehicle service industry with more than a few years of experience knows the mechanic proverbs passed from one generation to the next. These proverbs are basic wisdom in a simple, yet memorable form that helps the technician in performing maintenance and repairs.
Diagnostics: Don’t Jump to the Wrong Conclusion
Published August 18, 2020
There is no question that being familiar with a fault code — both the cause and correction — can be a great time-saver for the technician. After all, some diagnostic procedures can take a lot of time and effort as the technician works through the diagnostic steps to systematically eliminate potential issues. By knowing where the fault generally occurs, the technician can go directly there without going through all the steps that lead to that problem point. But, this can be risky. Learn how Mitchell 1 TruckSeries can help you out!
Smoking is Expensive!
Published August 31, 2020
While road hazards may not be avoidable and are well beyond the control of the technician in the shop, tire maintenance is a step technicians may take to keep tires in good order. Learn how Mitchell1 TruckSeries can help you out here.
Play It Safe
Published September 23, 2020
Time is money when you are working flat rate but maybe some of these accidents could have been prevented by taking the little extra time it takes to research the jack and lifting information. Take advantage of all the information provided in Truck Series to lift that truck safely and prevent a possible accident.
Checking Your Scan Tool’s Connection
Published October 11, 2020
Ever try to find the light switch in the middle of the night in an unfamiliar room? Well, walking around in the dark half asleep is much like trying to diagnose a diagnostic trouble code or a drivability issue without a scan tool on today’s trucks. But maintaining that scan tool is just as important as using it. Learn from our own Jake Schell, on how important these scan tools truly can be.
So Your Truck Needs a Smoke Test?
Published November 2, 2020
When all systems are operating properly, today’s newer diesel engines do not produce smoke like older diesel engines used to. The days of “rolling coal” are over, and this is a great thing for our health and the environment, too. Learn about modern day smoke tests from our knowledgeable truck pros in this latest edition of our TruckSeries blog.
Could Not Duplicate. No Problem Found
Published November 16, 2020
Most of us have been on the customer side reading those fateful words for something where we know a problem exists. The frustration increases to monumental proportions when the problem is a blaring fault code indicator light on the instrument panel, yet still no concrete problem can be located. For technicians, the experience is nothing to celebrate either. Let’s face it, we all have better things to do besides taking the truck into the shop or spending time trying to re-create a problem. Let’s take a look at four basic steps that can help to more accurately and efficiently diagnose and resolve fault code issues.
Fully Electric Trucks in Our Future
Published November 24, 2020
When it comes to protecting and restoring the environment, it should come as no surprise that the commercial trucking industry would adopt positions that mirror those of the public sector. As a result, in recent years, several large commercial truck manufacturers have been studying the possibilities and logistics of using fully-electric commercial trucks, typically known as EV’s (Electric Vehicles). Read more about it here.
5 Steps to a more accurate diagnosis
Published December 2, 2020
Diagnostic procedures usually help us to dot our i’s and cross our t’s when we take the time to follow them. Having a diagnostic path to follow is a great help, even though it may appear a bit laborious at times. Here are 5 steps from our own Jake Schell to help you get a more accurate diagnosis.