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How Diesel Engines Have Become Cleaner Than Ever

Diesel engines are durable, fuel-efficient and provide the necessary power and torque for moving big loads. As these engines have become more powerful, they have become cleaner! Recent improvements in technology have reduced emissions, made exhaust cleaner, and improved the fuel efficiency of trucks, even as the loads have become larger.

Now, commercial semi-trucks no longer expel black smoke, leave a lingering diesel stench as they pass, or sound loud and aggressive. Pound for pound, they are some of the cleanest vehicles available. Two major advancements went into making diesel engines cleaner than they have ever been before: better fuel and exhaust after-treatment technologies. 

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A Day In The Life Of A Diesel Mechanic

Diesel engines are the lifeblood of shipping around the world, and as such, these engines need capable doctors. A diesel mechanic has to diagnose any problems with the engines, treat these issues, and make sure the truck hits the road running at peak performance. 

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Why Today’s Diesel Engines Are More Efficient Than Ever

deisel engines efficiency blog - patrick's mobile

Diesel engines have always been the most fuel-efficient choice of engine, as diesel is one of the most energy-dense energy sources commonly available. It contains more usable power than regular gasoline, thus delivering better fuel economy. Despite this, fleets have worked hard to increase their efficiency even further, and the results are nothing short of amazing. 

According to an annual report released this year by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, the average fuel economy of fleets participating in the study increased by 15% since 2009. They went from 6.27 miles per gallon in 2009 to 7.27 mpg in 2018, and on a long haul, that’s a lot of savings.

Today’s diesel trucks are more efficient than they’ve ever been because, in recent years, diesel engines have changed in small but very important ways!

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Is There A Transport Truck Bigger Than An 18-Wheeler?

Semi-trucks are built to work: their engines are six times bigger than the average car engine, letting them get over a million kilometres more on average. But can you get bigger than an 18-wheeler here in Ontario? Across Canada, weight standards are pretty uniform, give or take a tonne or two, but the length of the truck can vary.

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Do Truckers Pay For Their Own Fuel?

truck fuel blog - patrick's mobile

Fuel is one of, if not the largest operating expense in trucking. The amount of fuel varies per truck, but a semi-truck can hold between 800 and 1000 litres of diesel. This fuel is pumped into dual tanks that sit on either side of the tractor, giving them the name “saddle tanks.” They make sure that the weight of the amount of fuel is balanced. 

If the average is roughly three kilometres per litre, it will be 3,000 kilometres before refuelling is necessary. But when you’re driving 60 hours a week over seven days, that can be a lot of refuelling. If we use an average diesel fuel price of $1.20 (the average at the time of writing), this means that it can cost more than $1200 to fuel up just once. For a large fleet, this is tens of thousands of dollars per month, so who is paying at the pump?

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What’s The Difference Between A Diesel Truck Mechanic And A Car Mechanic?

When you need help with your diesel truck, who should you call, what’s the difference? Not all engines are alike, and not all mechanics are alike either! Because diesel engines are very different from the typical automotive engine, diesel truck mechanics require different knowledge and a separate set of skills. The past couple of decades have only made this 

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Will Changing Fuel Injectors Increase The Performance Of A Diesel Truck?

One of the most important parts of any diesel truck is the fuel injectors. They are sensitive pieces of a semi’s machinery, and often the starting point of many problems you might experience with the engine. But when it’s working smoothly, the fuel injector is what improves the entire truck’s performance. When it gets an upgrade, the fuel injector can give a truck’s diesel engine a higher range of power output and even improved fuel efficiency!

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