June 2019 - Andamur

Maintenance of trucks: differences between preventive and corrective maintenance

For truck drivers, their vehicles are their main allies in their daily life. A simple mechanical failure or deficiency owing to lack of maintenance can cause the vehicle to be put out of action for hours or even days. This may entail a reasonable loss as well as delays in the routes to be covered.

The twosome between the driver and the truck has to be as robust as possible, so preventing potential maintenance failures that might jeopardise both of them is essential. But do you know the difference between preventive and corrective maintenance? We will explain it below:

Preventive maintenance is that performed when aiming to keep the vehicle in good condition and to prevent, as its name suggests, potential mechanical failure. Its main aim is to eliminate risks and prevent trucks from being put out of action. It is the type of maintenance that is least taken into account; however, it is crucial since it acts as a perfect prevention tool.

Corrective maintenance is the best known type. It is that performed when aiming to make the vehicle work correctly again. It involves repairing the vehicle; otherwise it would not be able to work adequately as a whole. In corrective maintenance, it is important to know the reasons of the breakdown to find out what failed and prevent similar situations in the future.

Both preventive and corrective maintenance play an essential role in all vehicles, more so in the case of trucks that spend long hours on the road. Good preventive maintenance will considerably reduce the probability of going to the garage for corrective maintenance. Indeed, when it comes to providing drivers with safety in their daily life, every measure must be taken.

27 June, 2019/by andamur

Tips for driving heavy-duty trucks

Driving has many entrenched risks that the driver ought to reduce insofar as possible. These increase in the case of heavy goods transport. Therefore, truck drivers shall bear in mind a series of recommendations that will be really useful on a daily basis:

As a general tip, the first thing you have to take into account is that you need a high level of attention on the road at all times. In fact, most road accidents are caused by one-time distractions.
Pay special attention to road signs affecting heavy-duty trucks: permitted height, restriction signs, notices, etc.
Avoid overtaking vehicles in curves and hills where there is reduced visibility. In addition, be careful when driving on uneven surfaces, through tunnels and on bridges.
Remember that some vehicles require keeping a greater safety distance, particularly 50 metres for vehicles with MAM exceeding 3,500 kg and for vehicles or vehicle combinations with length exceeding 10 metres.
Prepare the truck for the route you are going to cover. Check its condition on a regular basis and take everything you may need: water, food, torch, first aid kit, etc.
In order to make the best use possible of fuel, you are recommended to reach your target speed gradually, avoiding sudden changes. Respect the speed limit and avoid driving at the maximum speed the truck attains; that will be another essential aspect.
Last but not least, take an 8-hour rest the night before you cover any considerably long route. This will give you peace of mind during your trip and will provide you with confidence and comfort while driving.

27 June, 2019/by andamur

Articles

We analyse all the advantages of Andamur fuel cards

Fuel cards, also known as fleet cards, are payment cards that work as credit cards and have a secure system to monitor the expenses of drivers along their routes. Many of them also offer discounts. At Andamur we have 6 types of cards that make daily operations easier both for drivers and employers. […]

The Andamur Station Network keeps growing in Spain with three new associated service areas

At Andamur we keep growing and enlarging our station network across Spain by including three new service areas in Toledo (E.S. Valcarce el Casar de Talavera) and Granada (E.S Valcarce Gor and Láchar). These add up to the last three that joined our network back in April in Madrid (Ganesha combustible), Cuenca (Área de Uclés) and Guadalajara (Área 117 Torremocha del campo).

With the first three stations that joined the network, we increased our coverage in the north and south of the Iberian Peninsula in order to improve the services we provide to our customers and cover a higher number of locations accessible to them. With these new stations, we already have 31 associated service areas that have been strategically selected and that are offered in different Spanish locations with the same advantages as those owned by Andamur.

We have more than 650 stations distributed across 9 European countries. All of them give access to the main European roads and routes and offer Andamur customers the possibility of refuelling with the Andamur ProEurope card.

In brief, this is a new step forward in our aim to continue growing to keep making drivers’ lives easier, providing advantages and comfort in the transport sector, without forgetting the importance of providing solutions to the needs that truck drivers face on a daily basis. This way, not only do we enlarge the number of service stations at national and international level, but we also commit ourselves to being present in many locations to offer the best services.

21 June, 2019/by andamur

Everything you should know about electronic toll collection

Electronic toll collection systems are simple and easy to use, you can travel across all of Europe’s toll roads without worrying about regulations or how much you have to pay in each country, you just have to adapt to the speed limits and focus on your trip.

Drivers spend so much time on the road that anything that may help them on their route on a daily basis is always welcome. That is the case of toll devices, commonly referred to as ETC (electronic toll collection):

Tolls are payments corresponding to transit and traffic rights across specific places. In the case of ETC, payment is made through an electronic device located in the truck cabin; tolls can be paid without having to stop the vehicle. Since each country charges different amounts and has diverse payment methods, which vary regularly throughout the year, ETC is highly recommended. Thus, we can forget, for instance, of calling our bank before entering Portuguese territory or about Germany having increased the toll price owing to a change in legislation.

How does an ETC device work?

Just by having the device integrated in the vehicle, the toll barrier shall be lifted allowing the truck to drive through without having to stop at all. Using it has many advantages. We will now share the most relevant ones:

One of the most outstanding advantages of ETC is that users may pay without stopping their vehicle, provided that their speed does not exceed 40 km/h.
Avoiding traffic jams is another good thing of ETC.The manual or card toll collection lane usually has traffic jams that you may avoid with ETC. In addition, you may forget about wasting unnecessary fuel and about the unpleasant feeling waiting produces.
ETC will help you periodically monitor the cost of these roads. This is a great advantage for individuals, companies and self-employed professionals.
In many toll roads, discounts are offered to clients using ETC.
Even though the number of toll roads where you can pay by card is growing, there are still facilities where this possibility is not an option, forcing the driver to have cash at that particular moment. By using ETC you will not have to worry about this.
Another aspect worth highlighting of ETC is its advanced technology, ensuring its smooth and secure running at all times.
Its interoperability. ETC works in all toll roads located in the Iberian Peninsula and may be installed in almost every vehicle wishing to use this service.

20 June, 2019/by andamur

News, Video

Andamur renews its image and its service areas

Andamur renueva su imagen y sus áreas de servicio

At Andamur, we started a very demanding race 30 years ago: to offer our customers the best services on their daily life and their fleet’s on the road. Throughout these years, we have striven every day to enhance the security and comfort of those who trust us. In brief, we strive to look after what really matters: to contribute to the security of your business, to strengthen our relationship with you and to foster our bond whenever you need us on the road. We offer you refuelling options which adapt to your needs, a break, healthy food and the possibility of working out, taking a shower, getting on the Internet or washing your clothes.

As a result, and since we still have a long way to go, we start a new stage today: We renew ourselves, we improve and we grow for you and your business. Our stations are different as of today: they are newer, more modern, more updated but they still keep their essence. And the essence for us is to continue being loyal to our original values; those upon which we based our small local business that has more than 650 stations across Europe now.

Throughout the summer, we will implement our makeover in all our service stations. The first one has been our biggest station: Andamur La Junquera. In a few days we will complete the renovation of Andamur Guarromán and, throughout the summer, Andamur Pamplona, Andamur San Román, Andamur El Límite and Andamur Lorca will follow suit.

Andamur, #EveryTripMatters and we want to share it with you.

18 June, 2019/by andamur

Tips for enhanced truck reliability in the summer

Summer is here and with it the temperatures start to rise, so it is time for you to check that your truck is in perfect condition. High temperatures not only have a negative effect on vehicle maintenance, but they also undermine the driver’s capability. Thus, you ought to be well-rested before your journey begins and to keep yourself hydrated and protected from the sun while driving. You are also recommended to use cool cotton clothing.

Apart from special recommendations for drivers, these are tips for your truck to be 100% ready to deal with high temperatures:

Check the tires and their components. Since this is an essential element of any vehicle, it is recommended that you check your tires and their components on a regular basis. It is very important that you inspect the wheel bearings, hubs and rims, since high temperatures make rubber wear off.
Check the state of the brakes. High temperatures may cause important damage to the braking system, so you need to take a series of precautionary measures depending on the type of braking system: If you have air brakes, you need to check the air compressor pressure, and how moisture separators and dryers work. If you have friction brakes, you need to check the disc brakes and the drum brakes. In the event there is a failure in the braking system, you should use retarders and engine brake. On deep slopes there are usually emergency braking areas where you can stop the truck; these shall be accessed by vehicles in a straight position and with drivers holding the steering wheel firmly.
Test the cooling system and the water pump. Checking the air conditioning is essential for the temperature inside the truck to be pleasant; therefore, you should check the batteries and the fan belts, and clean the heater extremely carefully not to damage the fan blades. Pay special attention to cooling hoses, they commonly burst with the heat, replacing them is the best option if you think they are worn out. One of the main failures involves the water pump, so if you feel that cooling liquid is leaking or you hear noises when starting the engine, you should have it repaired as soon as possible.

And to make sure that your truck is working at full power, you should check oil filters and oil change, as well as the condition of windscreen wipers, headlights and lamps. Remember that your safety is everybody’s safety. Have a nice journey!

17 June, 2019/by andamur