Archive for the ‘Fleet Resources’ Category
Lost Art of CB Lingo: X, Y, Z
Monday, June 29th, 2009
This is it. We’ve reached the end of the road. Come to the last stop on the alphabet highway. By now you should have a real handle of the CB lingo and hopefully you’ve enjoyed the ride along the way.
So, without further adieu here’s your final language lesson featuring the letters X-Y-Z:
X
XYL – The wife of a CB’er
YL – Young lady, Miss
Y
Youngville – Young children using the channel
You got it – Letting another station know he has the “floor”.
You gone? – Are you still there?
Your telephone is ringing – Someone is calling for you.
Z
Z’s – Sleep
You can get a dictionary full of terms from the book, Woody’s World of CB.
10-4 from Hotlanta
Tags: CB, CB radio, Lost Art of CB Radio
Posted in Fleet Resources | No Comments »
All New Tires May Require Label for Fuel Economy, Environmental Impact
Monday, June 29th, 2009
As you know, a tire’s performance plays a critical role in your fleet’s fuel economy. And if the U.S. Department of Transportation gets its way, you soon won’t have to guess at your tire’s impact on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emission reductions, according to government-fleet.com. You’ll just have to look at the label on your tires when you purchase them.
The proposal, which was put forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), also would provide customers “with two other key pieces of tire performance information: wet weather traction and tread wear,” according to NHTSA officials, as reported by Modern Tire Dealer (MTD).
Should the proposal get approved, tire dealers would be required to display the label until that tire has been sold. The new ratings would also be posted on safecar.gov where savvy shoppers can compare overall tire performance before buying them.
“Today’s proposal takes the guess work out of buying the best tires for your vehicle,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Our proposal would let customers look at a single label and compare a tire’s overall performance as it relates to fuel economy, safety and durability.”
Tags: Modern Tire Dealer, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safecar.gov, tires, vehicle maintenance, vehicle performance
Posted in Fleet Resources, Industry News | 1 Comment »
Lost Art of C-B Lingo: S – T
Monday, June 1st, 2009
It’s that time of the week to pop in a Willie Nelson 8-track and roll through the next set of letters in our CB dictionary. By now, fleet managers from sea to shining sea should be able to talk the talk when they’re putting the pedal to the medal, but we can’t stop until we get to the end of the road, so without further adieu here’s you lingo for the through weeks featuring the letters S-T:
S
Sailboat fuel – Running on empty
Salt mines – Place of employment
Scrub brush – Street cleaning truck
Shot an eyeball on it – Saw it
Shovelling coal – Accelerating
Show-off lane – Passing lane
Skates – Tires
Smile and comb your hair – Radar trap up ahead
Smokey Bear – State Police
Smokey with a camera – Cop with radar
Someone spilled honey on the road – State troopers ahead everywhere
Stop to get groceries – Stop and eat
Straight Shot – Road is clear of police and other obstructions
Sunbeam – A CB’er who livens the channel with witticisms
T
Tearjerker – A CB’er who always cries the blues
Tooled-up – A souped up rig
Trading Stamps – Money
Turkey – Dumb
Turn Twenty – Location of exit or turn
Two miles of ditches for every mile of road – Drive safely, keep in the middle
Check back with us next week for a run down of the letters U-V-W, or you can get a dictionary full of terms from the book, Woody’s World of CB.
10-4 from Hotlanta
Tags: CB, cb lingo, CB radio, Lost Art of CB Radio, Woody's World of CB
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Get Ready for Green Fleet Convention 2009
Friday, May 29th, 2009
We wouldn’t be worth the digital space we write in unless we told you about opportunities to learn about fleet management firsthand, so its with great excitement that we inform you about The Green Fleet Conference 2009, October 19-20, 2009, in Chicago.
This convention is created for Fleet managers who are looking for affordable solutions that will allow them to truly go green.
As listed on the website at http://www.greenfleetconference.com the two day event will help you:
- Discover what’s new in alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles
- Find out the most cost-effective ways to improve efficiency and reduce emissions
- Experts will help you to select the right fuel, vehicle and technology strategies to help your company reduce fleet emissions
- Get the latest product information
- Learn what manufacturers have planned for the future of fuel technology
- Network with fleet managers from all over the country
Prices are pretty reasonable at $495 per person if you sign up before September 25th.
The convention is also open to exhibitors to help them reach buyers and suppliers.
Last years convention drew an impressive list of government and corporate attendees, so this good cause could also be a pretty good career move to.
October will be here before you know it, so register today.
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The Lost Art of CB Lingo P-R
Friday, May 15th, 2009
It’s Friday, and in the words of the great trucker trobadore Dave Dudley, this fleet blogger is feeling like a Truck Drivin’ Son of a Gun…kind of. I’ve actually never really driven an 18-wheeler, unless you count the video game they’ve got at the Dave & Busters in Marietta…
Anyway, Happy Friday to all of my good buddies out there who have turned this cb lingo blog into part weekly tradition, part language lesson. So, let’s get rolling through this weeks letters P-Q-R:
P
Pack it in – Ending transmission
Papa Bear – State trooper with CB.
Paper hanger – Police giving ticket.
Parking Lot – Traffic jam
Pass the numbers – Best wishes
Petro Refinery – Truck hauling gas or oil.
Plain Wrapper – Unmarked police car
Pedal to the metal -Running flat out, in excess of the speed limit
Pigeon – someone caught speeding.
Portable Barnyard – Cattle Truck
Pregnant Roller Skate – VW
Put your foot on the floor and let the motor toter – Accelerate.
Q
QSO – Pronounced “Que-Sew”, meaning “conversation” or “communication”.
QTH – Location
Quasar – Female
Quick trip around the horn – Scanning the 40channel band.
R
Radio Runt – Child or young person breaking in on a channel.
Rain Locker – Shower room
Rebound – Return trip.
Redneck radio – Someone who talks on the CB using only slang terms – UH OH.
Riot Squad – Neighbors who have TV
Roger Dodger – Same as “Roger”
Rubberneckers – lookers.
Running on rags – Driving a vehicle with little to no tread on the tires.
Running Shotgun – Driving partner
Check back with us next week for a run down of the letters S-T, or you can get a dictionary full of terms from the book, Woody’s World of CB.
10-4 from Hot-lanta
Photo copyright of HayMog under the Creative Commons License
Tags: 18-wheeler, cb lingo, Dave Dudley, Dave N' Busters, fleet, fleet blog, Marietta, state trooper, Woody's World of CB
Posted in Fleet Resources | No Comments »
The Lost Art of CB Lingo: N-O
Friday, May 8th, 2009
Happy Friday to you good buddy, we’ve got your next installment of cb lingo and it’s covered in nightcrawlers. So put one foot out the door and one on the floor and get ready for N-O!
N
Nail it down – Pinpoint or recollect
Nap Trap – Place to sleep
Negative – No
Negative Copy – Didn’t hear
Negatory – No
Neon, Freon, Ion Jockey – Truck driver with many lights on his rig
Nightcrawlers – Many police in the area
Ninety Weight – Liquor
Nodding off – Getting tired
Nobody knows where the teddy bear goes – State troopers criss-crossing the freeway
Numbers – Best wishes. “3’s and 8’s”
O
Oil burner – Diesel truck
On the by – Listening, not talking
On the side – Standing by, available for a call, listening on frequency. O.M. (old man) – A CB’er
On a [insert city name] Turn – i.e.- “I’m on an Alamo turn” (I’ll make my return from San Antonio).
One foot on the floor, one hanging out the door, and she just won’t do no more – Full speed.
Open Season – Cops are everywhere
Out – Through transmitting
Outdoor TV – Drive-in movie
Over – Your turn to transmit
Over and out – Closing the transmission
Check back with us next week for a run down of the letters P-Q-R, or you can get a dictionary full of terms from the book, Woody’s World of CB.
10-4 from Hot-lanta
Tags: CB, CB radio, Lost Art of CB Radio
Posted in Fleet Resources | No Comments »
To Wrap or Not to Wrap Your Fleet Vehicles
Thursday, May 7th, 2009
Has this ever happened to you? You’re sitting in traffic on the highway and a few cars up from you sits an 18-wheeler with a giant double cheeseburger plastered on the side of it.
Other than the guy rocking out in the car next to you, it’s the only thing you have to look at and as an advertisement it is starting to eat away at the promise you made to yourself to put an end to super-sizing, happy meals or #3 combos.
The next thing you know, that 10 ft tall, 15 ft wide cheeseburger that was professionally designed and photographed for thousands of dollars now has you pulling off the next exit ramp, sitting in the drive thru, justifying that the new Oreo Cookie shake available for a limited time only is a must as well.
The point is, as a marketing device, your fleet vehicle has the potential to be a highly valuable marketing resource, or in worst-case scenarios, one that hurts your business.
If you are thinking about wrapping your vehicles, or looking at redesigning them, here are few things to consider:
- Does your vehicle commands attention in a way that is consistent with the rest of your brand?
- Does the design on the vehicle cheapen your brand in any way?
- Does the marketing on your vehicle pique curiosity and increase recall through relevance to its target? Is it memorable in it’s approach…while staying on brand?
- If you are fronting a new brand, does it educate the viewer as to what your product or service is?
- Does the vehicle provide a clear action step or contact information to your prospective consumers?
As you may well know, consumers can make a judgment pretty quickly on a brand. Setting the right perception may make the difference between whether your next meal is a nice filet mignon or…a double cheeseburger off the dollar menu.
Photo copyright of misocrazy under the Creative Commons license
Tags: advertising, marketing, promotion, vehicle graphics, vehicle wraps
Posted in Fleet Resources, Small Business Help Tips | No Comments »
No Pressure, But Check Your Tires Already
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009
Bad wheels can bring business to a screeching halt
It only takes about five minutes a month to ensure that you and your fleet have well-performing tires. A move that could save you headaches and money down the road.
The Rubber Manufacturers Association recommends a four-part check performed at least once a month, on all tires including the spare, to make sure they’re operating at an optimal level.
P.A.R.T.
To help you and your drivers remember what to check, remember the acronym P.A.R.T., which stands for:
Pressure
A tire can lose half of its pressure and still not look flat, so be sure to check your tires pressure levels at least once a month, more if you are putting high mileage on them. Under-inflation can lead to tire stress and irregular wear and tear, as well as spending money to have them replaced more often then necessary.
Alignment
You never know what the roads may bring – potholes, sleet, a sudden stop for a stray dog. The road can throw your front end out of whack, causing shaking or pulling. If you notice your vehicle doing either, have your mechanic check your alignment. The longer you ignore it, the worse it will get, and the more it will cost to fix.
Rotation
Unless your vehicle has a specific recommendation, which you can find in your owner’s manual, you should have your tires rotated at least every 5,000 miles. Proper rotation will make sure that you’re not wearing out the front tires faster then the back, and vice versa, resulting in you being able to get more road and rubber out of your ride.
Tread
Take a good, close look at the tread on your tire to make sure there are no extremely high, low or completely bald areas. Tire tread helps your vehicles grip the asphalt, and worn tires are worthless in inclement conditions. Rough, worn, or cracked tires should be replaced before your next haul.
Remember, not only does it cost nothing to check your tires on a regular basis, it could actually save money in the long run. So encourage your drivers on how to inspect and maintain their vehicle’s tires. It’s an easy way for everyone to do their P.A.R.T. for the entire fleet.
Photo copyright of charmcitygavin under the Creative Commons license
Tags: alignment, fleet management, Rubber Manufacturers Association, safety, safety tips, tire, tire pressure, vehicle maintenance, vehicle safety
Posted in Fleet Resources | 1 Comment »
Shopping for a Fleet Vehicle?
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
Look for these 3 ways to save on fuel costs
If you’ll soon be in the market for a new fleet vehicle, check out this posting from www.lubbockonline.com. They recently ran an AP story that highlights a few car-shopping strategies that could save your business some cash at the pump.
All about the GPMs
Miles Per Gallon aren’t the only way to measure fuel economy. Flip the formula and measure Gallons Per Mile. Here’s how: Pick the number of miles you drive over a period of time. Divide that number by a vehicle’s mpg to get the gallons of gas a vehicle burns over that distance.
The article quotes professor Richard Larrick of the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, “You get a much more precise idea of how much gas and money a new car will save you.” But if you’re no mathlete, let GPMCalculator.com do the number crunching for you.
Turbo-charge it
Fuel efficiency isn’t limited to high-end hybrids, electric cars and vehicles that run on French fry grease. Ford Motor Company will have an EcoBoost engine with turbochargers ready to roll in 90 percent of its models by 2013. “Ford says it improves fuel economy by up 20 percent and cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 15 percent without sacrificing power,” according to the article.
Do Diesel
Enlightening on several levels. Diesel fuel costs slightly more, but your long-run savings might be worth it, especially as summer fuel prices creep up. The report states that the average diesel driver goes further with 20 percent to 40 percent better mileage — and 50 percent more power. And buyers of some diesel vehicles are eligible for federal tax credits. Visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ to learn more.
Ok, so you’re not ready to buy. The good news is you don’t have to outfit your fleet with a fuel-efficient car today to cut fuel costs tomorrow. Instead, try a fuel card that is custom-fit to your business.
Did you know the right fleet card lets you fill-up at the best prices, track use online in real-time and prevent unwanted purchases altogether? See how quickly your savings add up. Savings you can use for a down payment on that new fleet vehicle.
Photo copyright of Peterr under the Creative Commons license.
Tags: car shopping strategies, Diesel, fleet cards, fleet vehicle, Fleetmatch, Ford Motor Company, Gallons Per Mile, Miles Per Gallon, savings
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Are You a Successful Commercial Fleet Manager?
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
This week, Work Truck Online looks at effective fleet managers and the traits they share in keeping their vehicles running as safely and efficiently as possible.
See if your management style matches up:
1. Goal-Oriented Fleet Management – Are your goals in step with the company’s overall mission?
2. Focus on the Internal Customer – Keep senior management informed and the company’s interests foremost in all fleet management decisions.
3. Develop Partnerships with Suppliers – Work with suppliers and other partners to optimize performance.
4. Practices Strategic Fleet Management – Treat every decision you make, from vehicle acquisition to how you choose your suppliers and manufacturers, as a high-level corporate decision.
5. Ability to Implement Effective Fleet Policies – be strategic in controlling costs. It can truly impact the bottom line.
Read the entire list here, and we want to know: what do you think of the list? What would you add or delete?
Photo copyright of ktoiswho under the Creative Commons license
Tags: fleet management, fleet managers, Work Truck
Posted in Fleet Resources | No Comments »
