Scheduled Maintenance

I got a message today that my Def filter is scheduled to be replaced. The load I'm on delivers near one of our terminals so it's not a big deal to get there. What happens when you're not near a terminal? Are these scheduled maintenances a drop-everything-and-get-to-a-terminal priority, or can it be put off until a more convenient time?

Usually those DEF filters are replaced around 300,000 miles. At least that's been my experience at Knight.

Are these scheduled maintenances a drop-everything-and-get-to-a-terminal priority, or can it be put off until a more convenient time?

Typically they will route you in at a convenient time. That's not a drop dead pressing matter. They want to do certain maintenance on a schedule, but it's not usually a "drop-everything-and-get-to-a-terminal priority."

Im actually shocked that prime does anything with def filters. They are EXTREMELY expensive, so expensive in fact that most people take out there old one and clean and bake them.

How many miles do you have? I thought they got the def filters in the new trucks where you don't have to do maintenance on them anymore until a lot later.

Im actually shocked that prime does anything with def filters. They are EXTREMELY expensive, so expensive in fact that most people take out there old one and clean and bake them.

How many miles do you have? I thought they got the def filters in the new trucks where you don't have to do maintenance on them anymore until a lot later.

A large outfit like prime - likely has their own in house DPF (not DEF) filter oven. And probably have a pile of them that they've cleaned and are ready to swap out.

Now - the DEF system (Diesel Exhaust Fluid), likely has a filter that takes garbage out of the fluid - and THAT filter likely has to be replaced periodically (like fuel filters).

Rick

Regular maintenance/repair procedures can typically be handled through our national accounts at TA, Loves, etc. With something like a DEF filter you should contact Road assist or the tractor shop to see how they want to proceed.

In your MyPrime app, look under "My truck" to see your future scheduled maintenance items. It's good to look ahead so you can take care of some things when you're at a terminal.

Rick:

Is this right?

DPF vs. DEF

Rick, thanks for pointing out DPF vs DEF. It's confusing, and we truckers often will call the DPF filter a DEF filter. I did it inadvertently in my previous post. I was referring to the DPF filter.

I really should have clarified my remarks. I know they replaced one of mine in a Volvo at 300,000 miles, and they told me that was a scheduled maintenance item. The problem with me throwing that out there is that they are constantly changing our maintenance programs. As they gather data on the results they continually adjust how and when they take care of maintenance issues. This is probably common in large fleets.

When I first started with Knight we had to bring our trucks in for maintenance every 7,500 miles. Now we do it at 25,000 mile intervals. The large fleets aren't bashful about spending money on maintaining their equipment, but they want to make sure they aren't spending unnecessarily. They monitor the results they get and adjust their programs trying to be as efficient as possible without interfering with the driver's productivity.

Rick:

Is this right?

DPF vs. DEF

Yup...

Rick

This is Prime specific information:

Like Turtle said, message RA and ask if it is something you can do at TA/Petro.

Most of my International.work is done at the dealer, not at Prime. However the Springfield International dealer accepts Prime immediately, no waiting for an appointment. The International dealer in Pittston is like 60 miles away. Not sure about Pittston Freightliner. Ask RA for a Reference number you can give to a dealer.

The Freightliner dealer on Division St in Springfield is 24 hours, has a shower and free washer and dryer. You can pull right in for.diagnostics there too.

You can go to any dealer in the country if TA/Petro cannot do it, but the dealers near terminals, especially Springfield, give us priority. I have sat for a whole week in a Michigan FL and a GA International for things that Springfield dealers did in one night. (major stuff, not regular maintenance).

RA can make you an appointment at our terminal or you can call the Tractor Shop and schedule one. However, always make it far enough ahead that your FM can get you in. Don't expect to be in Springfield on Tues, if you are in FL on Monday. RA will ask you "when can you get there?".... uh, dude, i am a company driver, how would i know. Many times as a company driver the shop wil work us in, lease.ops are told to wait for appointments. Then message FM "RA made an appointment for me at the terminal shop on Y date and time for X service, please route me through."

When it comes to stuff at TA/Petro, tires at Loves, I just message RA with "heading to Carlisle PA Petro for PM (or whatever)". They request and approve online with "E Shop".

For windshields, SafeLife Autoglass will come to wherever you are parked and it takes 20 minutes or so unless you have a Pete, they need to sit for 24 hours after replacement of windshield. I have called the nearest Safelite, knowing where I would be parked the next day, made an appointment, messaged RA requesting a Reference number, then called Safelite back with it.

If you message RA and the FM and ask them, like parents they will both say "Did you message the other?" RA can't get you loads, and FM cannot make appointments or approve work orders. Therefore I just tell them both what and where I need and they both say ok.

DPF is something that'll have to be done at the dealer. Springfield Peterbilt was able to get me in for a DPF cleaning and DEF filter replacement. They way it was explained to me was the cleaning is about $400 and new one is like $1500 or more.