Steering a Mack Anthem will be a smoother experience than ever with the introduction of the optional Mack Command Steer system, which was announced at the annual meeting of the Technology & Maintenance Council in Atlanta.

Available by June, the advanced active steering system adds an electric motor to the existing hydraulic steering system, reducing driver effort by up to 85%, according to Mack.

Sensors mounted throughout the truck monitor road conditions, along with driver inputs and environmental elements, at a rate of more than 2,000 times per second. The electric motor then applies extra torque to the steering as required.

Even under normal conditions, Mack Command Steer helps to ease the driving experience in the face of potholes and other road irregularities, the company said.

That means drivers won’t have to fight the wheel on rough roads or in poor weather, said Stu Russoli, Mack’s highway product manager.

“If the driver’s comfortable relaxed and refreshed all day long, he’s going to be productive,” he said. “With Mack Command Steering, we’re helping reduce driver fatigue and muscle strain by up to 30%.”

Mack Command Steer also features a return-to-zero feature that automatically returns the steering wheel to the center position, helping with maneuvers in tight spaces.

“If you’re going very slow speeds, you’re parking … it’s very easy to turn the wheel. It’s a one-handed turn,” Russoli said. “As you go faster down the road it tightens up, so you get the road feel.”

SmartWay Anthems

The OEM also announced that Mack Anthem daycabs have now secured SmartWay certification as awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“EPA in the last year or so introduced daycabs as part of SmartWay,” said Stu Russoli, Mack highway product manager.

Models recognized for the fuel savings must be spec’d with roof fairing and side shields, chassis fairings, and an aerodynamic bumper, as well as low-rolling-resistance SmartWay-certified tires.

Anthems securing the designation will feature a SmartWay logo on their door jambs.