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
Maintenance
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
Headamp
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Gear
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
Business
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
Screenshot 2025 07 04 094948
Gear
Bridgestone adds new size for popular steer tire
Bridgestone
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
Equipment
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
Accident Skid
Equipment
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.
Gear
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.
Gear
Snap-on launches new diagnostic tool with code-based troubleshooting
Snap-on Tools
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+
Equipment
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.
Regulations
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
court gavel
Gear
4 State Trucks' parts store goes mobile
4 State Trucks
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
Gear
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
Equipment
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
Maintenance
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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Custom Rigs
Wisconsin fleet owner's 1998 Freightliner cabover 'Never Finished'
After catching the show-truck fever at MATS almost a decade ago, small fleet owner Kevin Voigt bought this impressive Freightliner FLB and has been adding to it since the 2016 purchase. Even with all the work put in it over the nine years, "it's never been finished," he said.
Adobe Stock 634238856 Editorial Use Only
Regulations
Truck aftertreatment systems are here to stay
Screenshot 2025 08 06 At 3 52 40 Pm
Regulations
Non-English speaking carriers more dangerous than drug, speeding violators: Study
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$2.30, $3, $10/mile: Which haul would you choose? Profit analysis might surprise you
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