MATS, LOUISVILLE – Western Star Trucks says Detroit’s Virtual Technician onboard diagnostic system is now standard on 2014 Western Star 4700, 4800 and 4900 trucks and tractors equipped with Detroit GHG14 and newer engines.

Meanwhile, it's made Eaton’s UltraShift Plus automated mechanical transmissions, already optional on the 4700 and 4900, newly available on the 4800, said Ann Demitruk, marketing director. And it's offering Meritor Wabco's Electronic Stability Control on the 4900.

Virtual Technician’s advanced and detailed diagnostics prevent unnecessary downtime at eight out of 10 fault events through its instant assessments. Demitruk said Virtual Technician is the industry’s only diagnostic system that captures vehicle data before, during and after a fault event to provide a more accurate diagnosis and generate uptime.

“Western Star drivers are often in the middle of tough jobs and when the check engine light comes on, it can have an immediate impact on uptime because it’s sometimes difficult to assess the immediacy of the service need,” she said.

The software assesses a fault code’s severity, allowing drivers and owners to make informed decisions about whether to stay on the job or seek service help.

Developed in collaboration with Zonar Systems, Virtual Technician is already on more than 70,000 Freightliner trucks.

US Plus

UltraShift Plus is available in six transmission models for on-highway and vocational applications, and features high power and torque capacity, brisk acceleration and easy low-speed maneuverability.

The transmission’s versatility, ease of operation and fuel- and driveline-saving features fit perfectly with the Western Star 4800, which can easily be configured for mining, bulk hauling or towing & recovery applications.

Meritor ESC

Electronic Stability Control assists the driver by increasing protection from rollover, skidding, spinning and jackknifing. If loss of stability is detected, vehicle speed is automatically controlled by applying tractor and trailer brakes. Normal vehicle operation resumes after potential rollover conditions cease. 

Western Stars are sold and serviced at more than 800 authorized locations, some offering 24-hour maintenance assistance, in the United States and Canada, Demitruk said.

Western Star Trucks, headquartered in Fort Mill, S.C., is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America and a corporate sister to Freightliner Trucks. More information is at www.WesternStar.com, or 866-850-STAR (7827).