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How Diesel Engines Have Become Cleaner Than Ever

Diesel engines are durable, fuel-efficient and provide the necessary power and torque for moving big loads. As these engines have become more powerful, they have become cleaner! Recent improvements in technology have reduced emissions, made exhaust cleaner, and improved the fuel efficiency of trucks, even as the loads have become larger.

Now, commercial semi-trucks no longer expel black smoke, leave a lingering diesel stench as they pass, or sound loud and aggressive. Pound for pound, they are some of the cleanest vehicles available. Two major advancements went into making diesel engines cleaner than they have ever been before: better fuel and exhaust after-treatment technologies. 

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A Day In The Life Of A Diesel Mechanic

Diesel engines are the lifeblood of shipping around the world, and as such, these engines need capable doctors. A diesel mechanic has to diagnose any problems with the engines, treat these issues, and make sure the truck hits the road running at peak performance. 

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What Are The Benefits Of Having A Fleet Service Mechanic?

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Your trucks are more than pieces of equipment – they’re the lifeblood of your business. Proper, consistent maintenance is a must if you’re going to keep the fleet in top shape, and the best way to do that is with a fleet service mechanic.

Going with an outside provider for regular fleet maintenance has amazing benefits. It can save your company money, boost productivity, and give you expert insight from an outsider’s perspective.

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What’s The Difference Between OBD And OBD2?

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In mechanics, OBD is a technical term that stands for “onboard diagnostics.” It refers to the high-tech system that diagnoses and reports engine problems in the vehicle. The system will alert the driver of issues and store the code related to the issue, which tells the scan tool of the technician what’s going on with the engine. As a driver, you’ll see it at work when the “Check Engine Light” or “Service Engine Soon” light turns on. Of course, this only works when the driver pays attention to those pesky lights and takes their vehicle in for repairs! 

Since the 1990s, onboard diagnostics has changed from the OBD system to OBD2. This was a big advancement for mechanics, and it has made the diagnosis of engine problems easier and more reliable.

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Is There A Transport Truck Bigger Than An 18-Wheeler?

Semi-trucks are built to work: their engines are six times bigger than the average car engine, letting them get over a million kilometres more on average. But can you get bigger than an 18-wheeler here in Ontario? Across Canada, weight standards are pretty uniform, give or take a tonne or two, but the length of the truck can vary.

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What Is The Best Scan Tool For Heavy-Duty Trucks?

One of the most important pieces of equipment for our team, both in the shop and out in the field, is the scan tool. The on-board diagnostics or OBD system is the truck’s ability to self-diagnose and report. It informs the driver of problems through dashboard alerts, but these are often just general messages. Scan tools help the mechanic pinpoint the exact problem.

But we can’t just plug in the same tool an auto mechanic would use. Heavy-duty trucks have bigger, more complex engines, and thus they need the right scan tool to meet their diagnostic needs.

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What Truck Has The Longest Lasting Engine?

Truck Repair Shop Mobile Engine Repair Patrick's Mobile London Ontario

All drivers want their trucks to be reliable and their engines to last. A low breakdown rate and lots of mileage require the right engine for the job. When Canadian truck drivers are on the road for 13 hours a day, they need an engine that goes the distance, too!  Read more

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What Is The Oldest Trucking Company?

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Trucking is a much older profession than most people think. Several trucking companies in the United States are more than 100 years old, and the legacy of Canadian trucking is almost as long. Believe it or not, the oldest trucking companies still around today were formed before trucks became available. They diversified fleets of horses and early cars into trucks at the right moment, proving that innovation is key to success in the industry!

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Do Truckers Pay For Their Own Fuel?

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Fuel is one of, if not the largest operating expense in trucking. The amount of fuel varies per truck, but a semi-truck can hold between 800 and 1000 litres of diesel. This fuel is pumped into dual tanks that sit on either side of the tractor, giving them the name “saddle tanks.” They make sure that the weight of the amount of fuel is balanced. 

If the average is roughly three kilometres per litre, it will be 3,000 kilometres before refuelling is necessary. But when you’re driving 60 hours a week over seven days, that can be a lot of refuelling. If we use an average diesel fuel price of $1.20 (the average at the time of writing), this means that it can cost more than $1200 to fuel up just once. For a large fleet, this is tens of thousands of dollars per month, so who is paying at the pump?

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Will Changing Fuel Injectors Increase The Performance Of A Diesel Truck?

One of the most important parts of any diesel truck is the fuel injectors. They are sensitive pieces of a semi’s machinery, and often the starting point of many problems you might experience with the engine. But when it’s working smoothly, the fuel injector is what improves the entire truck’s performance. When it gets an upgrade, the fuel injector can give a truck’s diesel engine a higher range of power output and even improved fuel efficiency!

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