Gene Kirzhner, Author at CrownSource

What Your Vehicle’s Diesel Particulate Warning Light is Trying to Tell You

The dreaded warning light. When a warning light turns on, there is always the temptation to ignore it. The experts at Ace Supply explain why ignoring it is never a good idea.

When the diesel particulate filter warning light turns on it means that the soot level from the diesel exhaust is high and your vehicle is likely to go into limp mode.

Today’s diesel engines are fitted with a particulate filter within the exhaust that is designed to catch larger particles of soot that come from the diesel exhaust. Of course, as is the case with all filters, there will come a time when it will clog. This will cause airflow to be restricted and the performance of the particulate filter to be reduced.

While the warning light signals an issue with the particulate filter, it doesn’t mean that your vehicle is about to give out, leaving you stranded on the side of the road. That is because there are a few ways that the filter can be regenerated. This is accomplished by raising the temperature in the exhaust to a level which burns the soot, reducing it to ash. This is referred to as active regeneration.

Another type of regeneration is called passive regeneration. This allows an engine to burn off extra fuel even when it doesn’t reach high speeds on a regular basis. Passive regeneration allows the temperature to get high enough, at lower speeds, to burn the soot off. These two types of regeneration work together to keep the particulate filter from becoming clogged.

When the soot level reaches a certain threshold, typically a little less than 50 percent, the engine will work to reduce the level of soot. At this point the warning light will come on, letting you know that there is an issue. While there is no reason to panic, it is important to take the vehicle onto the highway and drive it at speeds higher than 40 mph to raise the temperature and regenerate the filter. This should result in the warning light turning off.

The worst thing you can do is to ignore the warning light. Doing so will mean soot will continue to build up, ultimately leading to the vehicle’s computer to go into limp mode to prevent more damage. Limp mode limits a vehicle’s speed in an effort to reduce the amount of soot being sent through the filter. If your vehicle goes into limp mode, you may be able to save the filter, but it will require a professional to do it. Therefore, it is in your best interest to never let things get to this point. If you do, you will be looking at a costly repair or replacement.

As a CrownSource customer, you have access to deep discounts on the products you need – like Ace Supply aftermarket parts including Diesel Particulate Filters to keep your fleet running smoothly. Login to our eProcurement Platform, CrownConnect, to see all our aftermarket parts and over three million other products sourced especially for the transportation industry. Not a customer? Schedule a demo now.

Four Essential Safety Habits for Facilities Teams

Your facilities team is the front line for inspecting and fixing building issues and keeping the entire company safe. Facilities maintenance can be risky, so protection should be a top priority.

The effort you put into keeping your employees safe can pay off via increased productivity and good morale. More than 90 percent of workers say they feel motivated to put forth their best effort when their companies show that they support employee well-being, according to the American Psychological Association. Below, Jason Borkowski, Area Sales Manager for Staples’ National Safety Team provides us with guidance on four key workplace safety habits for facilities workers.

1. Take Training and Safety Talks Seriously

Good habits can slip over time, Borkowski warns, so training sessions and safety talks should occur both when people start and at regular intervals afterward. Some companies time training refreshes ahead of challenging weather seasons, such as when winter weather is drawing closer. Of course, when regulations or guidelines change, you should promptly arrange for related training.

The easier it is to set up training sessions, the more frequently you are likely to do it. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website is a go-to resource for online training or real-world sessions offered around the country. Your safety equipment vendor may also be able to connect you with training through the manufacturer of the supplies you purchase. If your salesperson does not offer to make this introduction, ask for it.

2. Ask the Right Equipment Questions

The cheapest safety product may actually be the most expensive in the long run, if your staff doesn’t use it or wear it — for example, because it’s uncomfortable — and your company is out of compliance.

“Up-front cost should not be the way you evaluate a product’s overall benefit,” Borkowski explains. “Ask probing questions of your salespeople such as what products are the most likely to have good compliance with your team.”

Borkowski also suggests inquiring about whether there have been any complaints with the product you are considering. This time and effort are well worth the investment since fines for noncompliance can be tens of thousands of dollars, and lawsuits can cost even more.

“Companies that are truly committed to workplace safety will invest in quality equipment that employees want to use,” he says. Team members will be less likely to wear safety glasses or other products if they’re uncomfortable or distracting. To improve compliance, “it’s a good idea to let workers test options from your safety equipment suppliers to see what they like best.”

3. Monitor Activity

Even the best trained and equipped team needs to be monitored to ensure that workers are wearing what they should be.

“Very frequently, no one is verifying that equipment is being worn, and worn properly. That happens more often than you’d think,” Borkowski explains.

Likewise, your team needs to keep its finger on the pulse of the latest safety requirements. A basic best practice, according to Borkowski, is staying on top of what is required by subscribing to OSHA updates based on your industry or specialty. You can also hire a risk consultant to establish guidelines for the positions on your team.

4. Display Your Safety Management Success

Providing the right tools, equipment and training are the keys to excellent safety management. Continue to build momentum for strong safety practices by posting a sign in your office or department area that shows how many days it has been since a facilities workplace incident. The higher that number goes, the more motivated your team will be to maintain a high safety standard.

“When employees see that over a year has gone by since an injury or safety incident, they also might feel more confident that the company takes their safety seriously,” Borkowski says. That can help with retention — and it may make it easier to recruit new employees as well.

Your vigilance in protecting your facilities team can pay off in greater overall safety for the entire organization. By keeping your facilities workers safe, you increase the overall safety of your company — and help support its streamlined operations and success.

As a CrownSource customer, you have access to deep discounts on the safety products you need to keep your facilities running smoothly. Login to our eProcurement Platform, CrownConnect, to shop the over three million other products sourced especially for the transportation industry. Not a customer? Schedule a demo now.

Making Sense of Used, Rebuilt and Remanufactured Parts

Heavy Duty Truck Parts: Used, Rebuilt and Remanufactured – What’s The Difference?

If you need to replace a heavy duty truck part, your understanding of the difference between a used, rebuilt or remanufactured part will go a long way toward making the right purchase. It also will determine how much you pay for such a part and how long you can expect it to last. We asked the experts from Ace Supply to share their knowledge of heavy duty truck used, rebuilt and remanufactured parts with us.

Used parts are considered the best value by many heavy duty truck owners because they are usually cheaper than new, rebuilt or remanufactured parts. Of course, when it comes to used parts, you really do get what you pay for. Buying used parts often means sacrificing reliability since it is impossible to know how long the part will last or how well it was maintained in the first place. Therefore, while you may save money in the short run, in the long run, used parts may end up costing you much more than you anticipated.

When parts are rebuilt, faulty components of those parts are replaced and the part is reassembled. Rebuilt parts are dangerous since issues that may have caused a component to fail in the first place are not addressed. Therefore, the chances of the part failing again are high. Further, not all components of a rebuilt part are addressed. For example, the clutch of a rebuilt transmission may wear out soon after the transmission has been rebuilt because that clutch was close to being worn out before the transmission was rebuilt.

When it comes to used, rebuilt or remanufactured heavy duty parts, remanufactured parts are the most reliable and in most cases, the best option. This is especially true if the vehicle these parts are going to be used in is one that the owner intends to use for a long period of time. Remanufactured parts are completely restored to the same quality and standard as new parts.

When a heavy duty truck engine is remanufactured, every component of that engine will meet the standards of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. This includes standards of durability, quality and tolerance.

If you are having a difficult time deciding between OEM, used, rebuilt or remanufactured auto parts, here are a few things to consider:

How difficult is the part to replace? If you are replacing an engine, you don’t want to have to replace it more than once. Therefore, it makes the most sense to use the best parts available.
How long do you plan to keep the vehicle? If you are replacing a part on a vehicle you anticipate driving for a long period of time, it makes sense to pick the highest-quality replacement part. If you are looking to get rid of the vehicle shortly, you might not want to invest as much in it.

OEM parts aren’t always the best option. While OEM parts may seem like the best option, remember that there may have been an issue with the original design that a OEM part does not address. Further, aftermarket parts are often made on the same assembly line so there is no difference. Finally, if a vehicle is near the end of its projected life, the OEM price rarely, if ever, makes sense.

As a CrownSource customer, you have access to deep discounts on the products you need – like Ace Supply aftermarket parts from International, Volvo, Peterbilt, Sterling, Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack and more – to keep your fleet running smoothly. Login to our eProcurement Platform, CrownConnect, to see all our aftermarket parts and over three million other products sourced especially for the transportation industry. Not a customer? Schedule a demo now.

Seven Key Features of Diesel Guard Supreme Premium Fuel Additive

Today’s sophisticated diesel engines depend on a superior grade of diesel fuel for maximum fuel economy, power and emission control. We asked ValvTect to share with us what differentiates Diesel Guard Supreme premium diesel fuel additive from the rest of the pack.

ValvTect created Diesel Guard Supreme premium diesel fuel additive for today’s high performance diesel engines. Here’s Diesel Guard Supreme’s specially formulated seven key features:

1. Cleans-up Injector Deposits

Injector deposit build-up can cause poor injector spray patterns that reduces engine performance. Diesel Guard Supreme prevents the formation of deposits as well as cleans up existing deposits as documented by the “Superior” rating in the Cummins L-10 Injector Depositing Test, Peugeot Coking Test and extensive field studies. With Diesel Guard Supreme, Fuel Economy Improvement for Light Duty increased up to 13.6% and Heavy Duty increased up to 7.5%. Reduced Black Smoke by 30%* and reduced Particulates by 39%*.

* test data available

2. Maintains Fuel Stability

Fuel stability is essential to prevent formation of insolubles and sludge, formed by high engine temperatures and extended storage. These insolubles plug filters and injectors. Diesel Guard Supreme provides improved thermal and storage stability to meet or exceed industry and engine manufacture standards. Improvements include longer filter life, lower maintenance costs and extends engine life.

3. Improves Lubricity

Low sulfur/aromatic diesel fuel can cause premature wear and scuffing of pumps and injectors. Wear that can lead to premature failure and expensive repairs. Diesel Guard Supreme contains a lubricity improver to prevent premature pump and injector wear that meets pump manufacturer’s requirements which improves protection against wear, lowers maintenance costs, meets manufacturers requirements and improves fuel lubricity.

4. Controls Water and Moisture

Water is always present in diesel fuel. It causes corrosion, sludge, filter plugging and icing in winter. Diesel Guard Supreme contains demulsifier to separate water and fuel in storage tanks and a dispersant to disperse a controlled amount of moisture in the vehicle fuel tank to keep it dry. Demulsifier prevents fuel/water emulsions, prevents sludge and reduces corrosion.

5. Prevents Rust and Corrosion

Condensation or free water corrode tanks and engine components, reduce engine life and increase maintenance costs. Diesel Guard Supreme contains rust and corrosion inhibitors to protect engine components and tanks from corrosion which meets NACE test standards and extends engine life while loweing maintenance costs.

6. Cetane Improvement (optional)

High cetane fuel reduces smoke, exhaust emissions and improves cold temperature starts. Various levels of cetane improver are in Diesel Guard Supreme to meet market and regulatory requirements.

7. Cold Temperature Improvement (optional)

Diesel Guard Supreme Antigel/Deicer formula contains the most effective cold flow improvers, heavy wax modifiers and deicer in the industry. It helps prevent filter plugging due to wax and icing at sub-zero temperatures.

As a CrownSource customer, you have access to deep discounts on the additives you need – like Diesel Guard Supreme – to keep your fleet running smoothly. Login to our eProcurement Platform, CrownConnect, to see all our options on diesel exhaust fluid and equipment. Not a customer? Schedule a demo now.

The Tenney Minute: In The Hot Seat With Cost Management Expert – Todd Koca

In The November 2018 Tenney Minute article, CrownSource co-founder, Todd Koca answers three pressing questions transportation companies must address on cost management:

What are the biggest hurdles for achieving cost savings?
What are the biggest challenges for saving money for small to mid-size transportation companies? For large companies?
What best practices are industry leaders employing for spend management controls?

Koca also discusses why trucking firms are considering implementing a procure-to-pay (P2P) system and walks through eleven key reasons to centralize your procurement functionality.
You can read Koca’s full article on The Tenney Group blog.

“SMART” DEICER PREVENTS WATER IN FUEL FILTERS FROM FREEZING

We asked ValvTect to share how to prevent winter diesel problems in heavy duty trucks.

When cold temperatures hit, the wax in diesel fuel gels and the water freezes. Either can plug the vehicle’s fuel filter and shut the engine down. Because water freezes at 32◦ F, a higher temperature than when the wax in diesel fuel gels, it is important for your winter diesel additive to contain a deicer that can lower the freeze point of the water below the Cold Filter Plug Point (CFPP) of the diesel fuel. This will prevent ice crystals from plugging the fuel filter which will helps keep the vehicle running at sub-zero temperatures.

All deicers lower the freeze point of water at a 1:1 ratio (deicer to water). The more deicer the more effective it will be. However, the more water in the fuel filter the less effective the deicer can be. Since the objective is to lower the freeze point of the water in the fuel filter, less water and more deicer in the filter will help prevent it from “icing” up.

Many deicers pick up (absorb) water from the primary storage tank and the vehicle fuel tank and carry it to the fuel filter. Diesel Guard’s “SMART” deicer absorbs less water than many competitive deicers and Diesel Guard’s Antigel Deicer Additives contain up to three times more deicer than most competitive winter diesel additives. The illustrations below represent how Diesel Guard’s “SMART” deicer provides maximum freeze point reduction to help keep vehicles operating at sub-zero temperatures.

As a CrownSource customer, you have access to deep discounts on all the winterizing products you need – like antigels, shovels, safety vests, gloves – to keep your fleet running smoothly whatever the cold weather brings. Login to our eProcurement Platform to see all our winter prep products. Not a customer? Schedule a demo now.

Four Remanufactured Ink Cartridge Questions Answered by the Experts

Let’s talk ink and toner with the experts. We asked Zone Ink and Toner to answer four key remanufactured cartridges questions…

1. What is the difference between remanufactured, refilled, new compatible, and OEM ink and toner cartridges?

Remanufactured cartridges are once used OEM cartridges that have been collected through a recycling program and sent to a remanufacture. Once at the North American remanufacturer, Clover Imaging Group in this case, the cartridges are put through a remanufacturing process. The cartridge will be disassembled, cleaned, warn parts replaced, refilled with ink or toner per the specific cartridge. Each cartridge is then post tested to ensure quality before being boxed to ship.

Refilled cartridges are just what they sound like. They are cartridges that have been refilled. Usually refilled cartridges are offered by local office supply or printing supply stores. Local customers may bring their used or spent cartridges in to be refilled, then someone generally delivers them back to the customer. However, it should be taken into consideration that none of the parts are inspected or replaced and this can cause many issues, including but not limited to, reduced page yields and inconsistent image or print quality.

New compatible cartridges are brand new cartridge that are a copy or clone of an OEM cartridge. Compatible cartridges are generally imported. Since the cartridges are copies, the overseas manufacturers do not have as much invested in research and development, and as such can have very low costs. These imported compatible cartridges can vary widely in quality and price and are built with cheaper or less expensive materials.

Name brand, OEM cartridges, are made or produced by the printer manufacturers. OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer cartridges can be significantly more expensive than aftermarket cartridges.

2. Do remanufactured cartridges have the same print quality and page yield as an OEM cartridge?

Yes! Quality remanufactured printing supplies, like our Clover Imaging Group cartridges, will provide the same page yields as the OEM cartridges. In some instances, you may be able to get a “Jumbo” or “Extended Yield” remanufactured cartridge that an OEM does not offer. This further reduces your cost per printed page. You can also expect the same print quality as an OEM cartridge.

3. Will remanufactured toner cartridges void my printer warranty?
No. The warranty from your printer manufacturer cannot be voided by use of any aftermarket (anything other than OEM) ink or toner cartridge. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act protects your rights as a consumer to choose what cartridges you purchase for your printers.

4. Are remanufactured cartridges good for the environment?
Yes! By choosing remanufactured cartridges you are helping keep plastic waste out of our landfills. Plastics take around 1000 years to fully degrade…. that’s a long time! In the US over 375 million ink and toner cartridges are tossed into the trash every year. You can help reduce that by recycling your used printing supplies and using remanufactured cartridges.

As a CrownSource customer, you have access to deep discounts on all the office products you need – like ink cartridges – to keep your office running smoothly. Login to our eProcurement Platform, CrownConnect, to see all our office products. Not a customer? Schedule a demo now.

13 Must-Haves to Get Your Facilities Winter-Ready

Your Essential Winter Facilities Checklist

Staples has created this handy checklist of 13 items to help you keep your workplace safe and be prepared for the coldest months of the year.

Winter weather is unpredictable, and facilities managers need the right equipment to help keep your organization’s buildings accessible and safe for your teams. Staples tapped Jim Vassil, senior facilities solutions technical trainer for Staples, to share the must-haves that your facilities team will need as temperatures plummet.

1. Rock Salt and Ice Melt
Look for products with sodium chloride, which is long-lasting and effective, or calcium chloride, which works fast in extremely cold weather.

2. Shovels
Choose snow shovels with heavy-duty, wide heads. Make sure they’re labeled specifically for snow, not for other purposes. Have at least one shovel per facility entrance.

3. Snow Blowers
If you only need to clear light snow from sidewalks, a single-stage snow blower with a 20-inch clearing path is ideal. For larger areas and heavier snow, a two-stage, self-propelled model with wheel drive is more effective – if the area is flat. Use a track-drive model for areas with a slope.

4. Floor Mats
Select mats made of olefin fiber, which absorbs moisture from shoes and boots, dries quickly and is resistant to mildew and rot. If your employees leave their wet boots at the door, provide boot trays with rimmed edges to contain water.

5. Caution Signs
If a floor is wet or slippery, put up a caution sign to alert employees while the area dries.

6. Slip-Resistant Tape
Apply slip-resistant safety tape to outdoor steps with smooth surfaces to help people maintain traction and prevent falls.

7. Drain Cleaner
Keep drains clear – outdoor drains and interior floor drains can back up, creating puddles that increase slip-and-fall risks for employees. Use a high-acid drain cleaner to clear drains of mold, mildew and other organic waste. Then, periodically flush with an enzyme-based formula to maintain the flow.

8. Generator
Identify the essential systems that need to continue running if you lose power, and work with a technician to ensure your generator is capable of backing up those systems.

If you’re buying a new generator, talk to your utility company, an electrician or a building engineer to determine what fuel source and size are bet for your facility. Your local commercial building code authority is a good resource for regulation information.

9. Surge Protectors
Losing power during an ice storm might result in electricity coming back in surges that can damage electronics or wiring, so make sure devices and equipment are plugged into surge protectors to prevent this.

10. First-Aid Kit
Provide enough first-aid kits for employees. If someone falls and gets a minor cut or scrape, they’ll have access to bandages, antibiotic ointment and over-the-counter pain relievers.

11. Emergency Preparedness Kit
In case of a sudden storm or flood, stock the essentials to keep a skeleton crew at your facility fed and safe. Include a three-day supply of water and nonperishable food, along with flashlights, batteries, a radio, personal hygiene items, basic medications such as aspirin, a cellphone and charges, duct tape, work gloves, latex gloves and two-way radios.

12. Hand Sanitizer and Disinfecting Wipes
Because cold and flu can run rampant in the colder months, stock the office with easy-to-access waterless hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes that employees can use on their desktops and armrests.

13. Extra Coats, Gloves and Hats
Keep a stash of extra winter coats, work gloves and warm hats in case a member of your team isn’t prepared for the weather and needs to work outside.

As a CrownSource customer, you have access to deep discounts on all the winterizing products you need – like deicers, shovels, safety vests, gloves – to keep your operations running smoothly whatever the cold weather brings. Login to our eProcurement Platform, CrownConnect, to see all our facility maintenance and safety products. Not a customer? Schedule a demo now.

Four Key Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Questions Answered

Our Sourcing Team, who has over 25 years of experience in the transportation industry, trusts PEAK Commercial & Industrial BlueDEF and they are in great company. In fact, BlueDEF is America’s #1 brand of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). We asked PEAK to answer four key DEF questions.

1. What Does Diesel Exhaust Fluid Do?
Diesel Exhaust Fluid is sprayed into the diesel exhaust streams of diesel engines to lower the concentration of nitrogen oxide, NOx, in emissions.

2. Why BlueDEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid?
Engineered for use in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems on diesel engines, BlueDEF diesel exhaust fluid is comprised of a high-purity synthetic urea and deionized water mixture that improves emissions and fuel economy.

3. How Diesel Exhaust Fluid Works?
When injected into the exhaust stream with a specialized dosing module, BlueDEF’s water vaporizes, leaving ammonia molecules en route to the catalytic converter; once there, it converts NOx molecules into harmless nitrogen and water vapor – making for cleaner emissions. To ensure SCR performance, Diesel Exhaust Fluids must adhere to the ISO 22241 Standards.

4. What is Diesel Exhaust Fluid Made Of?
DEF is made with 32.5% urea, (NH2)2CO, and 67.4% deionized water. DEF is non-toxic and safe to handle, but it can corrode some metals, so it must be stored and transported carefully.

As a CrownSource customer, you have access to deep discounts on the fluids you need – like DEF – to keep your fleet running smoothly. Login to our eProcurement Platform, CrownConnect, to see all our options on diesel exhaust fluid and equipment. Not a customer? Schedule a demo now.

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