Back to Basics Track

Smart fleet managers have long monitored vehicle oil drain intervals (ODIs) based on historical data and oil analysis thereby maximizing the economic value of a costly but essential petroleum product. But did you know that today’s ODI technology has evolved to the point where it is incredibly prognostic, spotting potential engine-related failures long before they result in costly repairs and even more costly downtime? 

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to fleet maintenance operations is one of the hottest topics on fleet managers minds these days. So much so, the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) hosted a special two-day track on this very subject as part of “The AI Summit,” held in conjunction with the Council’s 2026 Fall Meeting. 

People from different generations often see the world quite differently. And though many of these differences can be attributed to the normal variations among all human beings, some can be traced to the period in which each generation was raised and the common experiences it had. Experts call these events “generational signposts” and they influence how we think and behave long after our childhoods are over. 

Commercial vehicles are becoming increasingly complex and fleet operations of all sizes must keep pace if they are to continue to performance maintenance functions in-house, especially when it comes to electrical and electronic diagnostics. No easy task — especially for small and medium-sized fleets. 

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. In 2022, 5,837 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes. Additionally that year, there were approximately 114,000 crashes that resulted in an injury, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). While research shows a large percentage of these crashes not the commercial vehicle driver’s fault, it remains incumbent upon fleet managers to investigate means of avoiding crashes and improve driver safety and protection when these incidences occur. 

You wouldn’t need to be a fortune teller to have anticipated that tire and wheel maintenance would advance substantially during the last 25 years. The signs were plainly visible, based on industry projections. But did you know that the best is still yet to come? 

When it comes to ensuring chassis components are well greased, automatic lubrication systems are much more effective than the best-managed manual lubrication program. Fleets that don’t consider using automated lubrication are missing out on a spec’ing option that can increase their productivity and minimize their downtime. 

What’s a fleet manager’s primary enemy in the battle for proper lubrication? Friction. 

If you think not much has changed when it comes to Class 7-8 commercial vehicle fifth wheels — think again. Improvements in materials, design and technology have led to substantial improvements to this critical connectivity point in today’s combination vehicle. What you don’t know about today’s fifth wheels may surprise you. 

Durable sustainability in commercial vehicle maintenance operations has long been a laudable goal for those companies who wish to be good corporate stewards of our planet’s resources — not only because it is the right thing to do but also because many fleet customers demand it and those operations who can demonstrate sustainability gain a competitive advantage from among their peers. 

During the past several years, there has been much discussion at meetings of the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), SAE International, and other industry groups about what the future of the tractor-to-trailer electrical interface will look like. The need to move beyond the venerable SAE J560 connector and supporting harness is unavoidable, given the proliferation of smart technologies not just on tractor but also on trailers.