Reference libraries · Fleet & Auto

Fleet & Auto Reference Library

Sizes, standards, wall charts and how to identify what’s in front of you, written for fleet and auto parts counters, buyers and the customers they serve.

186 sheets planned · 34 published · 9 sections. New sheets are added as they’re written.

Written in the open: anyone can suggest an edit on any sheet. Help write or review it →

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Technical Reference

Air brake, lighting, electrical, batteries, filters, wheel and tire, hose and chassis products.

Wall Charts

Printable one-page shop charts.

Measure & Identify

Field identification of fittings, lamps, batteries, wheels and fluids.

  • Reading a Truck Tire Sidewall & DOT CodeSize, load range, load index and the Tire Identification Number.Ref FA-0089 · Safety-critical
  • Identifying Air Brake Fitting TypesPush-to-connect, compression and pipe-thread fittings.Coming soon
  • Measuring Air Brake Tubing & Reading J844 MarkingsMeasuring OD and reading the tube print line.Coming soon
  • Identifying Brake Chamber Size & TypeReading chamber size and type markings.Coming soon
  • Identifying Gladhand TypesService vs emergency and polarized gladhands.Coming soon
  • Identifying Lamp DOT & SAE MarkingsReading the lens code markings.Coming soon
  • Reading Primary Wire PrintWire type, gauge and temperature marks.Coming soon
  • Identifying Battery Terminal Type & Group SizeTop post, side post and stud terminals.Coming soon
  • Identifying Spin-On Filter Thread & GasketMeasuring thread and gasket for cross-reference.Coming soon
  • Identifying Hydraulic Thread TypesThread gauges, calipers and seat angle.Coming soon
  • Identifying Coolant TypeTest strips and labels, not color.Coming soon
  • Identifying Wheel Mounting TypeHub-piloted vs stud-piloted identification.Coming soon
  • Measuring Wheel Stud Thread & LengthReplacement data for wheel studs.Coming soon
  • Identifying Bulb BasesWedge, bayonet and other bases.Coming soon
  • Reading Hose LaylinesHose type, size and rating on the layline.Coming soon
  • Decoding a VIN for Parts LookupVIN positions used in parts lookup.Coming soon
  • Identifying Fuse TypesBlade, glass, bolt-down and cartridge fuses.Coming soon
  • Identifying Slack Adjuster TypeManual vs automatic and arm length.Coming soon

Fluids & Specs

Fluid categories, specifications and what must never be mixed.

  • Brake Fluid — DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5 & DOT 5.1Grades, minimum boiling points and compatibility under FMVSS 116.Ref FA-0107 · Safety-critical
  • Heavy-Duty Engine Oil CategoriesAPI diesel oil categories and backward compatibility.Coming soon
  • SAE Engine Oil Viscosity GradesMultigrade and monograde viscosity classes.Coming soon
  • Gear Oils & Axle LubricantsAPI gear oil categories and viscosity grades.Coming soon
  • Transmission Fluids — Automatic & ManualFluid types for automatic and manual transmissions.Coming soon
  • Coolant & Antifreeze — IAT, OAT, NOAT & ELCCoolant technologies for heavy-duty engines.Coming soon
  • Coolant Testing — Freeze Point & AdditivesRefractometers and test strips.Coming soon
  • Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)DEF specification, storage and contamination.Coming soon
  • Diesel Fuel & AdditivesDiesel grades and additive types.Coming soon
  • Hydraulic Fluids for Truck EquipmentFluids for dump, lift and PTO systems.Coming soon
  • Chassis & Fifth Wheel Grease — NLGI GC-LBGrease categories for chassis and wheel bearings.Coming soon
  • Windshield Washer FluidWasher fluid types by season.Coming soon
  • Air Brake Antifreeze & Alcohol EvaporatorsAdditives used in air systems and their risks.Coming soon
  • Power Steering FluidFluid types for hydraulic steering.Coming soon
  • A/C Refrigerants & OilsRefrigerants, oils and technician certification.Coming soon
  • Fluid Compatibility — Do Not MixFluid pairs that must never be mixed.Coming soon
  • Fluid Storage, Labeling & DisposalStorage and used-oil management.Coming soon
  • Fluid Service Intervals — Where to Find ThemUsing OEM and TMC sources for intervals.Coming soon

Engineering & Failure Analysis

Diagnosing failures in brakes, wheels, electrical and fluids.

  • Air Brake Leak DiagnosisFinding and fixing air system leaks.Coming soon
  • Moisture & Oil Contamination in Air SystemsCauses and effects of contaminated air.Coming soon
  • Brake Imbalance & PullCauses of uneven braking.Coming soon
  • Brake Out-of-Adjustment — CausesWhy brakes go out of adjustment.Coming soon
  • Wheel-Off Incidents — Causes & PreventionLoose wheel root causes.Coming soon
  • Tire Wear Patterns & CausesReading wear patterns.Coming soon
  • Lighting Failures — Corrosion & Wiring FaultsWhy trailer lights fail.Coming soon
  • Voltage Drop TestingFinding high-resistance connections.Coming soon
  • Battery Failure ModesSulfation, vibration and parasitic draw.Coming soon
  • Filter Failure AnalysisCollapsed, bypassed and contaminated filters.Coming soon
  • Coolant Cavitation & Liner PittingWhy coolant chemistry protects cylinder liners.Coming soon
  • Hydraulic Hose FailureCommon hose failure causes.Coming soon
  • Wheel Bearing & Seal FailureCauses of bearing and seal failure.Coming soon
  • Corrosion from De-Icing ChemicalsChloride corrosion on electrical and brakes.Coming soon
  • Fifth Wheel Wear & Coupling FailuresHigh-hitch and wear failures.Coming soon
  • Tire Inflation Cage & Restraint SafetyRestraining devices for tire service.Coming soon

Specification & Engineering Control

Regulations, specifications and controlled substitutions for fleet parts.

  • FMCSA Parts & Accessories — 49 CFR 393 OverviewWhat Part 393 covers and how it is organized.Coming soon
  • Inspection, Repair & Maintenance — 49 CFR 396Systematic maintenance and recordkeeping duties.Coming soon
  • Annual Inspection RequirementsPeriodic inspection and minimum standards.Coming soon
  • Brake Inspector QualificationsWho may inspect and adjust brakes.Coming soon
  • DOT-Marked vs Non-DOT PartsWhen a part must carry a DOT marking.Coming soon
  • OEM vs Aftermarket EquivalenceJudging aftermarket equivalents.Coming soon
  • Using TMC Recommended PracticesHow fleets use TMC RPs in specifications.Coming soon
  • Writing a Fleet Parts SpecificationAttributes a complete fleet part description needs.Coming soon
  • Fleet Parts StandardizationReducing part variety across the fleet.Coming soon
  • Hazmat Vehicle Equipment ConsiderationsExtra rules that apply to hazmat carriers.Coming soon
  • Vehicle Weight Classes & GVWRGVWR classes and why they change part selection.Coming soon
  • Warranty & Parts DocumentationRecords needed to support warranty claims.Coming soon

Procurement & Cost Reduction

Buying smarter: total cost, standardization, pricing programs and supply risk.

  • Total Cost of Ownership for fleet partsWhy unit price is the wrong metric and how to compare on cost per use or per part.Coming soon
  • Standardization & SKU RationalizationCutting duplicate items and brands to lower inventory and purchase cost.Coming soon
  • Approved Brand Lists & EquivalentsHow to build and maintain an approved-brands list and judge "or equal" requests.Coming soon
  • Contract Pricing, Rebates & Price EscalationStructures for fixed pricing, escalation clauses and rebate programs.Coming soon
  • Box Quantity vs Bulk BuyingWhen standard package quantities, bulk packs or broken-box pricing make sense.Coming soon
  • Reducing Emergency & Spot BuysRoot causes of expedited orders and how to plan them out.Coming soon
  • Supplier ConsolidationBenefits and risks of moving spend to fewer suppliers.Coming soon
  • Country of Origin, Marking & TariffsOrigin marking basics and how duties affect landed cost.Coming soon
  • Counterfeit & Grey-Market ProductWarning signs of counterfeit or diverted product and how to buy through authorized channels.Coming soon
  • Measuring Cost Savings — Hard vs SoftDocumenting savings customers and auditors will accept.Coming soon
  • Core Charges & Remanufactured PartsHow core programs work and when reman is acceptable.Coming soon

Quality, Compliance & Traceability

Inspection, documentation, traceability and regulatory paperwork.

  • Incoming Inspection BasicsWhat to check on receipt, sampling plans and when to reject.Coming soon
  • Certificates of Conformance & Test ReportsWhat a C of C, mill cert or test report must contain and when to request one.Coming soon
  • Lot & Batch TraceabilityKeeping lot numbers attached to product from receipt through shipment.Coming soon
  • ISO 9001 for DistributorsWhich clauses touch a distributor's daily work.Coming soon
  • Shelf Life & Date-Coded ProductsManaging FIFO/FEFO for products that expire.Coming soon
  • Nonconforming Product, RMAs & ReturnsQuarantine, disposition and documentation of bad product.Coming soon
  • Recalls & Safety NoticesHow to receive, act on and document a manufacturer recall.Coming soon
  • SDS & Hazard CommunicationDistributor duties to pass Safety Data Sheets downstream.Coming soon
  • California Proposition 65 LabelingWhen a Prop 65 warning is needed and who is responsible.Coming soon
  • Conflict Minerals & Restricted SubstancesResponding to 3TG, RoHS and REACH declaration requests.Coming soon
  • Parts Recalls & NHTSA NoticesHandling equipment recalls on fleet parts.Coming soon

Inventory, VMI & Automation

Keeping the right stock at the point of use with less labor.

  • Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) BasicsHow VMI programs work and what the customer and distributor each own.Coming soon
  • Two-Bin & Kanban SystemsSetting up visual replenishment at the point of use.Coming soon
  • Industrial Vending MachinesWhere vending pays off, what to stock and how to report usage.Coming soon
  • Min/Max & Reorder Point SettingsCalculating mins, maxes and safety stock from usage and lead time.Coming soon
  • Barcode, QR & RFID LabelingLabel formats and scanning for bins, shelves and items.Coming soon
  • Cycle CountingCounting a little every day instead of a full physical.Coming soon
  • ABC AnalysisRanking items by value and velocity to focus attention.Coming soon
  • Critical Spares & Stock-Out RiskIdentifying items whose stock-out stops production or vehicles.Coming soon
  • Obsolete & Slow-Moving InventoryFinding, reducing and preventing dead stock.Coming soon
  • Usage Reporting & Consumption AnalyticsReports customers actually use to cut consumption.Coming soon
  • Parts Room Organization by VMRSUsing VMRS codes to organize stock and track repairs.Coming soon
  • Service Truck & Shop Cart StockingStandard stock lists for service trucks.Coming soon

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