Oregon has asked the Federal Railroad Administration to place an open-ended moratorium on oil trains traveling through the state, because preliminary findings of an investigation into the June 3 derailment in Mosier suggest inspectors might not be able to detect the problem that likely caused the crash.
June 21, 2016Business, Fuel, Government
Diesel Falls 0.5¢ to $2.426
The U.S. retail diesel average fell 0.5 cent to $2.426, the Department of Energy reported.
June 20, 2016Business, Fuel
Gasoline Prices Decrease for the First Time Since February
Gasoline prices at U.S. pumps fell for the first time in four months, according to Lundberg Survey Inc.
June 20, 2016Equipment, Business, Fuel
Gearing Up for New Engine Oils
The heavy-duty engine oil specification that has been used for about 10 years is set to be replaced by two new ones: CK-4 and FA-4. The pair have been enhanced to withstand the rigors of lubricating hotter-running diesel engines and boost fuel efficiency better than the current offering, known as CJ-4 and marketed under many brands.
June 17, 2016Equipment, Fuel
Energy Efficiency at Facilities Brings Sizable Savings to Fleets, OEMs
Efficiency improvements and energy-reduction strategies at trucking facilities are saving fleets and original equipment manufacturers money and time. Even minor changes — such as conversion from older, high-intensity-discharge (HID) lights to skylights or to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting in offices and break rooms — result in lower electric bills, increased visibility and greater employee satisfaction, facility managers said.
June 17, 2016Equipment, Business, Fuel
New Engine Oils Coming in December
Two new types of engine oils are coming to market Dec. 1. The heavy-duty oil specification that has been used for nearly a decade will be replaced by CK-4 and FA-4, and this crucial development is one of the cover stories in this issue of Equipment & Maintenance Update.
June 17, 2016Equipment, Business, Fuel
48-Volt Electrical System Could Revolutionize Heavy-Duty Trucks
Industry exhibitions of trucking technology would not be the same without trucks showcasing components, systems and features intended to hit the road in the future. Some examples of future componentry come to market quickly, others never make it into production. Meanwhile, others represent demonstrations of technology that might be integrated into Class 8 trucks decades down the road.
June 17, 2016Fuel, Business, Technology
Volvo, Mack Offer Telematics IT with Omnitracs
Volvo Group’s two North American truck making units, Mack and Volvo, said they are offering the option to link their remote diagnostic systems with communications services from Omnitracs with the goal of providing fleet managers with more information on safety and operations.
June 16, 2016Business, Fuel
Oil in Longest Losing Streak in Four Months as US Supplies Gain
Oil fell for a fifth consecutive day June 14, heading for the longest run of declines since February, as U.S. industry data showed crude stockpiles expanded, exacerbating an oversupply.
June 15, 2016Business, Fuel
Rising Fuel Pushes Up Producer Prices for Second Month
The rebound in fuel costs pushed up U.S. wholesale prices in May for a second month, overshadowing a drop in pricing power more broadly that signals inflation will take time to move toward the Federal Reserve’s goal.
June 15, 2016