Mack unleashes the bulldog

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Remote updates are available on 2017-and-later Model Year engines.

Mack Trucks has officially begun over-the-air engine updates, just a year after unveiling the underlying technology.

So far it has performed 1,300 updates on 3,500 vehicles, supporting 20 customers, and saving 500-plus days of downtime overall. About 5,000 vehicles should be connected in the next couple of weeks.

Owners of trucks with 2017-or-later Model Year engines will annually be eligible for two changes to parameter packages per VIN — tweaking everything from fuel economy to performance without rolling into a service bay. There are six available parameter packages overall.

The service is provided at no charge during the initial two-year base engine warranty, and customers can extend it after that.

If a fault code is identified, a One Call agent contacts the customer before new software is transmitted. The data is transferred with the key in the on position and the parking brake engaged. Even battery ratings are confirmed through telematics and the driver before the process begins.

This is the latest in a series of features offering remote support.

Mack has invested more than $2.5 million in technology for enhanced data analytics and vehicle data, tripled the number of codes that are monitored, and enhanced repair information available through the Mack ASIST app.

 

 

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John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - editorial, and the editorial director of its trucking publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.


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