Maintenance

Overdrive Extra

LED lamps: In Canada, 25% of diodes dark can in fact net a violation

Standards specific to LEDs' individual diodes in the U.S. may not be available today, but CVSA inspection specialist John Sova makes it clear that "if 25% or more of the diodes are inoperative, the light would fail inspection" in the nation to our North.

August 5, 2025

Night Truck On Highway Lights Blurred

LED failures: How many individual diodes going dark will net a violation?

The question is a tricky one to answer, and will vary by light position and design. Additionally, as any working owner-operator knows, no two truck inspectors are the same. Diodes do fail, though, and Overdrive sister publication TPS outlined the reasons here with experts.

August 1, 2025

Sponsor Content

Compute the potential profit in any truckload, access per-day and per-mile breakouts with Overdrive's Load Profit Analyzer

Fusable

Know your costs, owner-operators? Compute the potential profit in any truckload, access per-day and per-mile breakouts, and compare brokers' offers on multiple loads. Enter your trucking business's fixed and variable costs, and load information, to get started.

March 24, 2025

Compute the potential profit in any truckload, access per-day and per-mile breakouts with Overdrive's Load Profit Analyzer

New sockets aid techs with manual wheel-end bearing adjustments

The sockets feature etched hash marks that guide mechanics through the 2-1-1 process, which ensures the proper wheel-end bearing adjustment.

July 28, 2025

Rev Socket Hero Image

Overdrive Extra

Weigh in: How far do you extend your oil drain interval?

A 100,000-mile change interval is possible -- our 2023 Trucker of the Year proved it. Yet conservative approaches to engine-oil drains have long been the rule of the day for most owners. What's your approach? Weigh in via this brief survey.

July 24, 2025

Install Oil Plug Filter

Trucking costs hit all-time high excluding fuel

ATRI reported average cost for operating a truck in 2024 fell 0.4% from 2023, but when cheaper fuel prices are excluded, remaining costs actually increased 3.6%. Also: CloudTrucks seeks waiver from truck driver employment application regs; new Boss Truck Shop in West Memphis.

July 2, 2025

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Bridgestone adds new size for popular steer tire

Bridgestone is now offering its FS509 steer tire in 11R22.5 with G and H load ranges, adding to its existing 295/75R22.5, 285/75R24.5 and 11R24.5 options.

June 11, 2025

Bridgestone FS509 steer tire

Electronic brake systems offer safety boost, ease of maintenance

Many new heavy trucks ditch traditional airbrake knobs for electronic switches for better safety and simplified maintenance.

June 7, 2025

Nikola's collapse brings headaches, financial problems for fleets

Some early adopters of the Nikola Tre FCEV Class 8 semi are now dealing with growing financial issues following the company's bankruptcy.

May 13, 2025

Some early adopters of the Nikola Tre FCEV Class 8 semi (above) are now dealing with growing financial issues following the company's bankruptcy.

Hours of Service

Are you Roadcheck-ready? Inspectors to key in on PC, false logs

What recent reporting and insight from CVSA's inspections guru revealed about this year's Roadcheck inspection blitz, less than a week away, May 13-15. Access a bevy of resources, including the latest hours-related guidance, here.

May 7, 2025

This year's Roadcheck inspection blitz kicks off Tuesday, May 13.

Ralson trailer tire now offered at Love's

Love's Travel Stops and its extensive maintenance network are now carrying the Ralson RTR51 trailer tire.

April 21, 2025

The Ralson RTR51 trailer tire is now being offered at Love's Truck Care and Speedco locations.

Snap-on launches new diagnostic tool with code-based troubleshooting

Snap-on’s new Pro-Link+ is a complete code-based diagnostic and repair platform for all makes of trucks, providing a direct path from pulling a fault code via the vehicle communication interface to diagnosing and fixing the problem.

April 2, 2025

Snap-on Pro-Link+

As diagnostic software price tags increase, so do scams

Bootlegged diagnostic tools can be a big risk for shops.

March 13, 2025

A man on the phone holding a tablet stands in front of trucks.

Emissions deletes net small fleet $101K worth in fines, probation | I-40 closures out West

An Oregon-based fleet and its owner were sentenced to probation and a fine for deleting emissions on 13 trucks. Also: I-40 overnight closures planned out West; Drivewyze slowdown, congestion alerts now available in Tennessee.

March 5, 2025

4 State Trucks' parts store goes mobile

A new app, available on Android and iPhone, allows truck owners to order parts from the 4 State Trucks shop on the go.

March 4, 2025

4 State Trucks mobile app

Hours of Service

Roadcheck looms in May with focus on hours of service, tires

The annual inspection blitz, set for May 13-15, will focus on drivers' records of duty status for hours of service and tires as its two areas of emphasis, in addition to the standard Level I and other inspections.

February 27, 2025

Bald trailer tires at inspection

Shell Rotella offering new heavy-duty, extended-life coolant

Shell Lubricants

Shell Rotella's new ELC HD coolant offers extended life for extended drain intervals, corrosion protection for metal engine components and more.

February 25, 2025

Shell Rotella ELC HD coolant

Used-truck pricing, value: A role for aftertreatment maintenance

The final part of this series, examining ramifications of increasingly stringent diesel-emissions regulations and equipment complication, turns to used-truck markets. As aftertreatment systems improve, systematic PM could help backstop resale value.

December 18, 2024

Mechanics using a computer to diagnose a truck problem

Motive's new roadside assistance option

Motive has a new roadside assistance offering it says can save carriers 15%-20%. It will be available through the Motive Driver App December 16.

December 11, 2024

Triangles In Breakdown Lane

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Cummins X15 Fuel Agnostic

Cummins delays new X15 diesel amid regulatory and demand uncertainty

With the proposed rollback of EPA's Greenhouse Gas emissions regulations, among other uncertainties, Cummins announced it will delay the debut of the diesel-powered engine in its X15 fuel-agnostic engine platform until late 2026.

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Wisconsin fleet owner's 1998 Freightliner cabover 'Never Finished'

Adobe Stock 634238856 Editorial Use Only

Truck aftertreatment systems are here to stay

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Non-English speaking carriers more dangerous than drug, speeding violators: Study

The ALL NEW JBL FLIP 7 - Featuring AI sound boost, deeper base, longer battery life, and Auracast... it's MADE to be HEARD.

The ALL NEW JBL FLIP 7 - Featuring AI sound boost, deeper base, longer battery life, and Auracast... it's MADE to be HEARD.

$2.30, $3, $10/mile: Which haul would you choose? Profit analysis might surprise you

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Pride & Polish

Overdrive’s annual Pride & Polish virtual truck show attracts entries from across the nation showcasing show-quality design, mechanical ingenuity and plenty of trucking-business pride. Find recent-history awards shows, in-depth features about the winners, and more.

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