ORLANDO – The Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostic system can now deliver remote event diagnostics for Detroit DT12 automated manual transmissions, Daimler Trucks North America announced at the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition in Orlando.

The enhancement expands on the diagnostic service for Freightliner and Western Star trucks powered by Detroit engines. It is designed to inform decisions on when and how to repair issues causing fault events to avoid unnecessary downtime.

The Virtual Technician diagnostic process for the DT12 is similar to the process for Detroit engine and after-treatment systems.  When a fault event occurs, Virtual Technician relays details to the customer within minutes. That notification will include the severity of the fault, as well as when, where, and how to best fix the issue. 

DT12 fault events are categorized based on how severe vehicle drivability is affected.

• “Service Soon” events are faults that can be addressed at the end of a run or at another time convenient to the customer’s operations. These notifications include information on what should be checked prior to scheduling service.

• “Service Now” events are faults that could cause the truck to soon become un-drivable and should be serviced immediately.

“The addition of transmission diagnostics is one more way we’re providing critical information to fleets and owner-operators, helping them make smart business decisions within minutes of noticing an issue,” said Jason Krajewski, director, connectivity, Daimler Trucks North America. “Whether it’s helping make the decision to keep the truck on the road, or having that quick initial diagnosis to get the issue resolved as quickly as possible, all of these scenarios help improve uptime for our customers.”

Customers can access all fault event details using either the Detroit Connect portal or the new Detroit Connect mobile app.

For the DT12, Virtual Technician will monitor 150 faults, including:

• Not shifting into or out of neutral

• Engine RPM spikes while shifting

• Not engaging in forward or reverse gears

DTNA also announced that the Detroit Connect mobile app is now available for download for Freightliner and Western Star customers who have active Detroit Connection subscriptions. The new app, available for iOS or Android-enabled mobile devices, is available for free in Apple’s App Store or Google Play.

The app offers many of the same features found in the web-based Detroit Connect portal, making it easier for customers - from on-highway to vocational and medium duty - to gain insights about fleet health, fault event diagnostic information and fault history delivered by Detroit Connect Virtual Technician. 

The app is also designed to incorporate other Detroit Connect features, including Detroit Connect Analytics fuel efficiency insights and safety reporting, which will soon be available for the new Freightliner Cascadia.

“Mobile access to real-time, actionable information regarding a vehicle’s performance is essential for our customers,” said Jason Krajewski, director, connectivity, DTNA. “This new app enables fleet decision makers to take whatever action is needed to maintain uptime and maximize efficiency. It’s another great tool we offer to help our customers get the best performance from our products.”