http://www.answerbag.com/profile/77788 New Answerbag answers from dieselfool Tue, 29 May 2012 20:47:31 -0700 Tue, 29 May 2012 20:47:31 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/81081 The check engine light has come on my dash on my 1996 Volvo 850. Will it blow up if I drive it over the weekend without getting it checked out?<br /><br />The main two things that will cause your engine to &quot;blow up&quot; would be over heating the engine and loss of oil pressure. Check engine lights are set off by the ECM and usually are a problem from the sensors on the car. It is advisable to get the car checked out as soon as possible, but... Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:36:45 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/81081 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/81071 What is the impact of using a 'jake brake' on fuel economy? If a jake brake is left on all the time to slow the truck anytime the accelerator is released does it have a negative impact on fuel economy? If so how much?<br /><br />I have never seen a difference in fuel mileage between a truck that has jake brakes and one that does not. Jake brakes only opperate when the fuel pedal is at 0% or completely depressed. Also the injector rocker arm pushes a rod to turn the jakes off on injection stroke. Fuel mileage is mainly... Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:13:52 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/81071 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/81067 Is a motorist driving a U-Haul or other rental truck required to stop at truck weigh stations along the interstates?<br /><br />It would depend on if the truck was rented for commericial use or for personal use. If a trucking company has to call Penske and rent a 25 foot box truck, and has to display their company name on the unit then it would have to stop at the weigh station. It also depends on the truck that you rent,... Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:02:59 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/81067 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/81064 Why do trucks in the northern US have more axels than trucks in the South?<br /><br />Something else to consider, is the bridge law. Where a vehicle has to have the weight distributed to cross a bridge due to the bridges structure. In certain states it especially important to have length when crossing bridges, which would mean more axles for the amount of weight carried, to evenly... Wed, 09 Aug 2006 19:56:18 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/81064 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80622 What is the correct proceedure for shifting gears on a tractor trailer?<br /><br />Question is a little confusing, as it would depend on that perticular transmission. Such as with ten speed transmission you would start in first and once you needed to go to sixth, raise the switch to high and go into sixth up to 10. It is different in a super ten as you would only have to shift... Tue, 08 Aug 2006 21:29:57 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80622 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80614 How many trucks have been manufactured by Peterbilt?<br /><br />Peterbilt manufactures many different trucks under many different models for all types of jobs. Is it that you are wondering how many trucks total or how many different models of Peterbilt? In any instance, I could not count them all. Tue, 08 Aug 2006 20:59:18 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80614 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80613 Can an owner/operator order a tractor (Freightliner, Peterbilt, Volvo, Mack, etc.) with a lavatory and/or shower in the sleeper berth in a "condo" configuration (overhead bed)?<br /><br />It is possible to order a tractor in any configuration you want and if you cant, someone can always alter it, to what you do want. You can order almost any make in any length making it possible to do so. The only thing to be cautious about is the length, due to the about of weight that is put on... Tue, 08 Aug 2006 20:52:17 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80613 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80609 Is it possible to shift gears without using the clutch in an unsynchronized manual truck transmission?<br /><br />It is possible to shift with out the aid of the clutch. It is known as &quot;floating gears&quot;. Working in the industry I have not seen it cause any more damage to the transmission than normal wear, as long as you are not grinding the gears every time you shift. It is a basis of matching... Tue, 08 Aug 2006 20:46:56 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80609 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80604 What is a "jake brake"?<br /><br />Very good answer, but I would just like to add that even though they are called &quot;Jake Brakes&quot; there are other manufactures, Pacbrake and Caterpillar make there own. They are called jake brakes because of the original manufacture, Jacobs. But are referred to as a compression brake. Also... Tue, 08 Aug 2006 20:30:51 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80604 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80598 Why do most 18-wheelers have manual transmissions instead of automatic transmissions?<br /><br />Working the trucking industry, I've seen alot of both transmissions. There are actually two different types of automatic transmissions for semi trucks. One type is fully automatic just like a car and only has a brake and fuel pedal. The other has a clutch pedal that you use for starting out and... Tue, 08 Aug 2006 20:09:17 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80598 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80583 What is the average MPG for a semi tractor?<br /><br />With the new engines such as the Caterpillar Acert and the Cummins ISX, both over 450 hp, I would say an average of 5-6 mpg. But I've seen as good as 8 mpg and as poor as 4 mpg. It depends alot on idle time and terrain. A tractor that is pulling alot of mountain terrain and off road is likely to... Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:38:58 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80583 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80573 How do I check my battery to see how much of a charge it has?<br /><br />The only other way is to load test it. This can be done by anybody as long as they have the tool and know what they are doing. Any Autozone, Napa or other part store can do it. And I believe it is no charge or very minimal. What a load test does is check the &quot;life&quot; of the battery. Just... Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:19:55 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80573 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80564 I hear a very annoying high pitched noise when I plug in my transistor and iPod. The noise gets worse when I accelerate. I have no clue what it is except that it is connected to my radio. My car is a 2005 Kia Spectra. What is it? How do I fix it?<br /><br />I believe it could be a ground problem with your radio. I have seen it before where interference had made a high pitched sound that came from stereo speakers upon acceleration. I work on semi trucks, and have seen this problem with CBs. I have seen where the ground cable to the cab is bad and the... Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:08:50 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/80564