Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. has come up with a new type of gasoline engine it says may make some of today’s advanced diesel engines obsolete. The new engine uses variable compression technology, which Nissan engineers say allows it at any given moment to choose an optimal compression ratio for combustion – a key factor in the trade-off between power and efficiency in all gasoline-fuelled engines. The technology gives the new…
Read MoreNew Kenworth T680 DayCab Increases Fuel Economy
Kenworth will extend its T680 fuel economy Advantage package into vocational applications soon with the launch of two new, T680 Advantage Day Cab models, but will cut production of the T660 by the end of the year. The announcement came Friday at Kenworth headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, ahead of a demonstration of Bendix’s new Fusion Advanced Vehicle Safety system. Kenworth Chief Engineer Kevin Baney said the new trucks will help…
Read MoreBendix SR-5 Trailer Brake Spring Valve Recall
After a group of trailer manufacturers issued a recall in late July on more than 30,000 trailers due to an issue with Bendix SR-5 Trailer Spring Brake Valves, another group of manufacturers has joined in recalling some of its trailers. The valve is a “reservoir-mounted trailer valve that can control up to four spring brake actuators during parking or emergency applications,” Bendix says. Manac, Polar Tank Trailer, Heil, East and…
Read MoreBlue Bird Transit/School Bus Recall
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Vision transit & school buses manufactured September 24, 2015, to May 21, 2016, equipped with 6.8L Ford engines and Gen 3 propane units. The affected vehicles have propane fuel lines that may rub or are crossed and secured together, possibly resulting in line damage and a propane fuel leak. CONSEQUENCE: A propane leak In the presence of an…
Read MoreRam 3500/4500/5500 Transfer Case Recall
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Ram 3500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through January 7, 2016, and 2016 Dodge Ram 4500/5500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through October 8, 2015. The transfer case may have been manufactured with a misshapen main output shaft, creating voids that may cause a shaft fracture. CONSEQUENCE: If the main output shaft fractures, the vehicle may lose motive power,…
Read MoreRenegade Villagio & Vienna Valve Stem Recall
Kibbi, LLC (Kibbi) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Renegade Vienna vehicles manufactured February 9, 2015, to June 1, 2016, and 2014-2016 Renegade Villagio vehicles manufactured March 4, 2013, to June 6, 2016. While checking or filing the rear inner tires, the valve stem extensions may inadvertently be loosened, resulting in a slow air leak. CONSEQUENCE: If the valve stem extensions loosen and allow air to leak, the tires may…
Read More2017 Winnebago MotorCoach Recall Alert
SUMMARY: Winnebago Industries, Inc (Winnebago) is recalling certain model year 2017 Winnebago View, and Itasca Navion motor coaches manufactured November 16, 2015, to June 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the liquid propane (LP) line may not be properly sealed to prevent carbon monoxide and/or LP gas from entering the living quarters. CONSEQUENCE: If carbon monoxide or LP gas enters the living quarters, it can increase the risk of illness…
Read MoreATA Releases 2016 American Trucking Trends
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) this week released the latest edition of the leading almanac of trucking – ATA American Trucking Trends 2016 – showing the industry posted gains in employment, number of truck drivers and truck sales through 2015. “In many ways, 2015 was a good year for our industry, and Trends clearly demonstrates that,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Trends provides indispensable information to trucking companies,…
Read MoreKenworth’s New Light Weight T680 Truck
Lightweight is the holy grail of most bulk haulers, who can often convert a pound cut from vehicle weight directly to payload, be it grain, gravel, chemicals and food-grade liquids, or building materials. Kenworth recently showed off a T680 sleeper-cab tractor that scaled at 14,200 pounds (not counting fuel), according to hosts at a ride-and-drive event staged at their headquarters plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. As with any lightweight specification, saving…
Read MoreThor Motor Coach Compression Brake Recall
SUMMARY: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Tuscany motorhomes manufactured February 28, 2013, to August 31, 2015. The throttle pedal position sensor on the affected vehicles may not return to zero, causing the engine brake to suddenly not activate as expected, reducing the vehicle’s deceleration ability. CONSEQUENCE: A sudden loss of an engine brake without warning on a motorhome may lead to a reduced brake capacity,…
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