While widespread adoption of remote diagnostics capabilities may seem a long way off, many fleets are testing out this technology today with positive results.
Tom Howard, fleet director for San Francisco-based Veritable Vegetable oversees an operation of 31 power units within the organic produce distributor’s fleet. Seven of these T680 tractors are currently equipped with Kenworth TruckTech+ Remote Diagnostics.
The TruckTech+ remote diagnostics program continuously transmits vehicle diagnostic information from the fleet of Kenworth T680s around the clock to the local dealer NorCal Kenworth - San Leandro. The vehicle's real-time information is also transmitted to any other Kenworth dealerships where a Veritable Vegetable truck may be en route.
In many cases, NorCal Kenworth dealership branch manager Josh Hayes confirms technicians already know where to start the repairs and what parts they’ll need to resolve the issue. As a result, the vehicle often spends less time in the NorCal Kenworth dealership’s shop than it otherwise would have.
With the ability to track the location of each unit, the dealership can plan ahead and be prepared for the arrival of each vehicle. “I can rearrange schedules when necessary to be sure that certain technicians with specific skills or expertise are available to look at the truck and initiate repairs as soon as possible," Hayes adds.
Once the truck arrives, the dealership can provide the fleet with an estimate of time to repair within two hours. Meanwhile, Hayes or others at NorCal Kenworth can monitor the situation and assist with any necessary follow-up with rental trucks, for example, or respond to any warranty coverage questions Tom Howard may have later.
Always connected
Anytime sensors on board T680s or T880s detect issues that require servicing, Kenworth TruckTech+ Remote Diagnostics transmits email alerts with detailed information that Howard can view on his smartphone. The email alerts, which are also sent to NorCal Kenworth dealership, include links to the Paccar Solutions web portal. In the web portal, Howard can monitor the company’s trucks in real time to get up-to-date information and find the nearest Kenworth dealers relative to its location.
If the problem can’t wait until the truck returns to the company’s warehouse in San Francisco, particularly if the issue triggers activation of the truck engine protection system, Howard can quickly locate a nearby Kenworth dealer and direct the driver to it. The dealer’s service shop can immediately start the process of identifying potential issues and options before the truck arrives.
Measured benefits
Hayes advises the remote diagnostics capabilities have aided in a reduction of average shop service time by 30 percent, and a 15 percent reduction in towing units back to the shop for service. "That’s because remote diagnostics allows us to monitor fault codes and remotely diagnose issues to determine if a truck can be driven into the shop or if it should be towed in," Hayes explains.
“If we have to stop and have the truck towed in for servicing immediately, depending on where the incident takes place, the towing bill alone could be about $2,000,” Howard says. He adds the pickup and delivery schedule of perishable goods sometimes requires additional coordination to ensure on-time deliveries and compliance with hours of service.
Overall, Howard says using the Kenworth TruckTech+ has aided in minimizing these delivery issues, and helps the fleet avoid unplanned and extended service calls.
Veritable Vegetable initially spec’ed its first T680 unit equipped with TruckTech+ in 2016. With the positive response of more efficient service, Howard confirms plans to add four additional units planned for delivery this November.
