DETROIT - Detroit Diesel Corp. has released a list of 30 dealers and distributors that can reprogram its engines used in California-registered motorcoaches to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
Detroit Diesel and other manufacturers of heavy-duty diesel engines have entered into a voluntary agreement with the California Air Resources Board to upgrade engine emissions' software in over-the-road California buses and trucks.
The program, which is free for coach operators and truckers, applies to 1994-98 diesel engines that have not been reprogrammed.
Detroit Diesel is strongly encouraging its dealers and distributors to promote the program to bus and truck operators so CARB does not establish mandatory reprogramming requirements, forcing California operators to bring in their vehicles when it may not be convenient. (See May 1 issue of Bus & Motorcoach News.)
Operators should expect that when they take their coach to a Detroit Diesel dealer or distributor for service or repairs they will be asked to have their engine reprogrammed with the low-NOx software.
The California Bus Association is urging its members to go along with the program by taking their coaches to a deal for reprogramming.
A regional Detroit Diesel representative said it takes about 15 minutes to reprogram a coach engine. A label will be affixed to the valve cover indicating the new software has been installed.
The program is available at no charge only to vehicles registered in California. Detroit Diesel is not reimbursing its dealers for reprogramming engines for non-California buses.
Questions about program should be directed to G.W. Lysinger, vice president of customer assurance at Detroit Diesel, (313) 592-7568, or to Detroit Diesel Technical Service at (313) 592-5977.
Here are the California locations where operators can get their engines reprogrammed:
Bakersfield Truck Center, Bakersfield
Brown's Engineering, Newport Beach
Central Valley Truck Center, Fresno
Commercial Engine Service, Hesperia
Delaney & Ahlf Diesel Service, Bakersfield
Delta Truck Center, Stockton
E.M. Tharp, Porterville
Fresno Truck Center, Fresno
Gem Equipment Co., Ventura
Harbor Diesel & Equipment, Long Beach
Los Angeles Freightliner, Fontana
Los Angeles Freightliner, Rancho Dominguez
Los Angeles Freightliner, Whittier
Los Angeles Freightliner, Anaheim
North Valley Diesel Service, Yuba City
Peck Road Ford Truck Sales, Whittier
R & L Diesel Services, Stockton
Rush Truck Center, Sylmar
Rush Truck Center, Pico Rivera
Rush Truck Center, Fontana
Stewart & Stevenson, San Leandro
Stewart & Stevenson, West Sacramento
Trinity Diesel, Eureka
Valley DDA, Bakersfield
Valley DDA, City of Industry
Valley DDA, Costa Mesa
Valley DDA, Fresno
Valley DDA, Irvine
Valley DDA, Mira Loma
Valley DDA, San Diego