Ice, snow and temperatures below zero: Wet and cold weather in late autumn and winter severely affects each of the commercial vehicles of a vehicle fleet. This is as true for distribution traffic with constant starts and stops as it is for trucks used for long distances. To prevent weather-caused breakdowns from causing unpredictable and annoying downtimes costing both time and money, Bosch commercial-vehicle experts recommend preparing the fleet vehicles for the cold season by means of a winter check. In this regard, the quality of the parts replaced at the winter check is of key importance for the fleet vehicles’ reliability. As a developer and manufacturer of commercial-vehicle systems, Bosch knows the requirements placed on systems, components and parts – under any operating conditions. Bosch enhances the production of its wearing and service parts based on the experience gained and lessons learned at everyday workshop life.
Batteries
Especially in winter, batteries need to be in top condition providing top performance to cope with cold starts. Checking the battery before winter sets in is thus indispensable in order to ensure operative readiness of vehicle fleets. The Bosch range includes a particularly powerful solution specifically designed for tough applications in commercial vehicles: the Bosch TE battery. It stands out for its particularly high vibration resistance. Meeting vibration-resistance standard V4, it is perfectly suitable for installation at the rear axle or for use in off-highway or heavy-duty applications. In comparison with conventional batteries, its deep-cycle resistance has been doubled. This is particularly beneficial for long-haul trucks equipped with a large number of electrical consumers – among others for the drivers’ mobile living comfort. The absolutely maintenance-free TE battery uses EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) technology. That is, the positive plate is coated with a polyester scrim. The high energy efficiency and the long service life of Bosch TE batteries show that high quality pays off from an economical point of view as well.
Filters
Besides particles, fuel filters also separate water which could otherwise freeze in winter thus causing trouble starting the vehicle engine. At the winter check, fuel filters should thus be replaced as a preventive measure. After all, their low price is out of all proportion to the costs of a vehicle breakdown. The same applies to air drier cartridges removing particles and oil mist from the compressed air of the pneumatic system drying it at the same time. Otherwise, water penetrating into the system due to insufficient filtration could cause valve failures. Activated-carbon cabin filters protect the drivers against harmful and foul-smelling gases, fine dusts and other pollutants. In addition, they prevent windows and windshields from fogging up throughout the cold and wet season and reduce the amount of deposits on the air conditioning system. Bosch recommends changing the cabin filter every 200,000 to 300,000 kilometers – preferably at the winter check.
Light and vision
Especially in case of rain, snow or ice, above all things, wiper blades ensure a streak-free view, improved vision and thus increased safety. Once the wiper rubbers are noticeably torn, leave stripes or streaks on the windshield when wiping or in case of chattering noises each time the wiper blades change their direction, it is about time to replace them – at the latest. For large commercial-vehicle windshields, Bosch recommends Bosch Aerotwin flat wiper blades or Bosch Twin conventional wiper blades. Aerotwin evenly distributes the contact pressure over its full length and perfectly adapts itself to the windshield curvature. Thanks to its innovative Power Power Protection Plus wiper-blade technology, Aerotwin cleans better, quieter and for longer. Bosch Twin with its metal bracket system and double corrosion protection is particularly robust and resilient. Testing the vehicle lighting system is yet another important part of winter checks. Specifically for use in commercial vehicles, Bosch provides Trucklight and Trucklight Maxlife halogen-bulb product lines featuring a robust design and particularly high vibration resistance. Their long service life makes them particularly economical. The range of Bosch lamps, for its part, stands out for intense daytime-bright light concomitant with low energy consumption.
Contact person for press inquiries:
Nico Krespach
Phone: +49 721 942-2209
The Automotive Aftermarket division (AA) provides the aftermarket and repair shops worldwide with modern diagnostic and repair shop equipment and a wide range of spare parts – from new and exchange parts to repair solutions – for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Its product portfolio includes products made as Bosch original equipment, as well as aftermarket products and services developed and manufactured in-house. About 14,000 associates in more than 150 countries, as well as a global logistics network, ensure that spare parts reach customers quickly and on time. AA supplies testing and repair-shop technology, diagnostic software, service training, and information services. In addition, the division is responsible for the “Bosch Service” repair-shop franchise, one of the world’s largest independent chains of repair-shops, with some 15,000 workshops, and more than 1,000 “AutoCrew” partners.
Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch-automotive-aftermarket.com
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 400,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2019). The company generated sales of 77.7 billion euros in 2019. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT provider, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, Industry 4.0, and connected mobility. Bosch is pursuing a vision of mobility that is sustainable, safe, and exciting. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to facilitate connected living with products and solutions that either contain artificial intelligence (AI) or have been developed or manufactured with its help. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. Bosch employs some 72,600 associates in research and development at 126 locations across the globe, as well as roughly 30,000 software engineers.
Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, www.twitter.com/BoschPresse.
