Reaching out

Here at Pittsburgh Power, we endeavor to impart useful and accurate information to our customers, be they loyal long-time customers or drivers just starting to hear about us. We have covered pretty much all facets of the diesel industry, be it Engines, Electronics, Gearing, healthy eating on the road, etc. Countless man hours have been spent collecting this information, and a lot of time is spent categorizing and finding ways to get this information to the reader, listener, or watcher. With the quantum surge of technology over the last 10 years alone, it has never been easier to get the word out. Between Social media, Magazines, Radio, and with the upsurge of Podcasting, we have dipped our toes into pretty much everything. That being said, the potential for cross-marketing between these platforms is a great way to let our customers and potential customers know what is going on with Pittsburgh Power and the industry as a whole. With this in mind, I will take the time to let you know how to access this plethora of multimedia delights and what we do for each platform.

 Magazines & Newspapers

Obviously! The written word is one of our first and most trusted ways of relaying information. Thanks to Great Magazines and newspapers such as Movin’ Out, 10-4, and Large Car, we have been able to inform and educate drivers, new and old alike. You can find our articles in this tried-and-true format every month.

 Radio

Another one of the greats. Most of our customers know our long-standing and great relationship with the word smith, Kevin Rutherford. For years we were a part of his Radio Show segment on Sirius XM known as "The Power Hour" In this weekly show, we would talk about everything from Mechanics, Diagnostics, Business, and Oil sampling. Calls were always welcomed, and we would answer them in whatever way we could. Unfortunately, Kevin is no longer with Sirius XM, but that is not to say that he is off the air. Quite the contrary. Kevin is back and, in true fashion, has developed his own application to keep spreading the word. Which is a great Segway into…

 Podcasting

Not entirely new anymore, but most definitely younger than radio. Our latest way of reaching out is Podcasting. As previously stated, Kevin is now on his own podcast and is growing it bigger and better than before. You can continue to listen every Wednesday at 11am EST and call into "The Power Hour." Not only can you listen to our show, but you can also listen to Kevin on several different segments ranging from health to politics. Where? I can hear you asking. The new app can now be found on Apple and Google with the title Let's Truck. On this app, you can listen to all of our older and new material. 

 Social Media

No stranger to this media, we have participated in all kinds of online applications. You can find us on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Each one provides the ability to do something a little different. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are used to convey everything from upcoming deals to the goings on in the shop and what to look out for when driving. YouTube is used to educate and inform. You will find Dyno videos, Quick Tips, and installation videos for some of our products. Looking for something a little more humorous? Check out our TikTok page. A little less information and a few more laughs.

 Website

Of course, the best way to learn about our products and the best place to buy them is on our official website. You can learn about the company, read articles, and find more in-depth information about what we sell and the services we provide. 

 We look forward to seeing, hearing, and reading your responses. 

Thermostats and Radiator Caps

Preventative Maintenance, with the political recession upon us, it’s imperative that we all extend the life of our equipment.  Everything is expensive, so each month we will write about a few items you can do to keep your semi-truck running at its best.  Caterpillar says that a thermostat should be checked every 2 years.  Think about the thermostat, it has a rather important job to perform, when the engine is cold the thermostat stays closed so the coolant does not enter the radiator, to enable the engine to come up to operating temperature.  A cold diesel engine does NOT obtain fuel mileage.  The outer diameter of the thermostat rides in a seal to keep the coolant from bypassing the thermostat.  The seal does wear out, and when it does it will take longer for the engine to come up to 180 degrees or wherever the engine manufacturer wants the temperature to be.  Keep this in mind, it takes 16 degrees for the thermostat to fully open so a 180-degree thermostat will be fully open at 196 degrees.  Once the engine is up to operating temperature the thermostat constantly moves in the seal to try to keep the temperature at the degrees the thermostat is set for.

Another item critical to the cooling system is the radiator cap.  They are designed to keep a predetermined amount of pressure in the cooling system.  When the cap fails and there is no pressure in the system, the coolant does not travel through the engine and heater core as it was designed.  The first item you should notice is no heat out of the cab heater.  There are various pressure caps available, if you purchased your truck new, check the pressure setting on the top of the cap, and stay with that pressure setting.  If your truck is an older one, you may want to check with the truck dealer for the correct pressure radiator cap.     

Written by: Jordan Greathouse and Bruce Mallinson, Pittsburgh Power, 3600 South Noah Dr., Saxonburg, PA  16056 Phone: (724) 360-4080 Website: Pittsburghpower.com