Dangerous Idle Shutdown, Opinions Please...

[jteamomaha]

OK, we all have to deal with it, and have all gotten used to it, but I and my fellow drivers have recently started having problems with some new settings on our trucks. We have a 2 minute shutdown, and that's fine. We work locally and with last years sky high fuel prices all of our trucks were reset. We were OK with that, most of us don't idle anyway. Problem is, something has been set incorrectly on our computers. These things shut down.....in intersections, waiting at stop lights, backing up into docks etc. A few weeks ago I had one shut down just as I was turning a corner onto a set of railroad tracks..!! They claim all we have to do is just watch for our engine protection light to start flashing, then stomp the throttle a time or two. That's fine, but I'm busy watching my driving, traffic, obstacles etc. As I understand it, when the brakes are released the engine should NEVER shut down for any reason. The exception would be a panic code (low water/oil, high temp etc.) or a catastrophic engine failure. One of the drivers had this happen to him while backing....he lost his power steering and hit a pole. I have no problem with our employer setting an idle time, but not while the brakes are released and I'm trying to drive. Would anyone else agree that this is a huge safety hazard? Should DOT be notified and intervene? Fellow drivers and Admins. feel free to jump in here. I just can't get used to this......

[Malaki86]

The auto-shutdown should only work if the parking rake is set. If it's shutting down with the brake released, it's a *MAJOR* safety issue.

[Creek Jackson]

It is a huge safety concern.

[possum]

Something needs to be done about it before a driver is hurt or killed. If that thing shuts down on RR tracks and the starter wigs out on you it could get very bad very fast.

[Malaki86]

There are places along the interstate that will take a look at that shutdown problem for you and won't charge you (the driver) a single cent for it. If the company says that there's nothing wrong with it, as the good ol' DOT. I'm sure they'll let the company know if it's a safety issue or not.

[Mr. Ford95]

Hope it shuts down while sitting on the scale. When DOT asks what's going on, you can tell them the whole story and like Mal said, they will be more than happy to get the company to fix it. That's a tradegy waiting to happen right there.

[Malaki86]

One person voted that it's not dangerous in the poll - I'd love to hear the reasons they have for thinking that it's not a dangerous situation.

[marcel27208]

And if push comes to shove and something does happen..u posting the problem here means you know about it and can implicate you also if u have accident.....

[possum]

One person voted that it's not dangerous in the poll - I'd love to hear the reasons they have for thinking that it's not a dangerous situation.

I would like to hear that one myself.

[jteamomaha]

Thanks for the responses so far guys, but the Company claims that no one else is complaining. I find that hard to believe since it's a topic in the drivers room nearly every day. We don't cross scales as we don't leave the state. We're considered local even though our far point is about 200 miles from the warehouse. For some reason it doesn't seem to get much attention, and I have to admit I'm surprised at such few responses here as well. It seems as though one stands to fall under far more criticism for doing what's right as opposed to doing what's wrong. I just don't get it, but that's my way of thinking. This is my 31st year in this business and this is the most foolish and irresponsible thing I've ever seen......

[Uturn2001]

Well it could be that no one or very few are complaining about it to anyone that matters. All too often people will sit and whine to their co-workers but when the "boss" comes around they act like they do not have a problem in the world.

Any time you hear someone complain about something like this you should ask them if they mentioned it to management.

[wanderingson]

These things shut down.....in intersections, waiting at stop lights, backing up into docks etc. A few weeks ago I had one shut down just as I was turning a corner onto a set of railroad tracks..!! They claim all we have to do is just watch for our engine protection light to start flashing, then stomp the throttle a time or two. That's fine, but I'm busy watching my driving, traffic, obstacles etc. As I understand it, when the brakes are released the engine should NEVER shut down for any reason. The exception would be a panic code (low water/oil, high temp etc.) or a catastrophic engine failure.

If you and the other drivers tell this to your safety dept, I'll bet something will be done. VERY UNSAFE!

There is definitely something wrong if it is shutting down while backing or turning, since it is ONLY supposed to shut down while idling, with brakes applied. Gotta be something wrong with the computer.

If it were me, I'd refuse to drive that particular tractor. Ask for a different one, if possible, and see if the same thing happens. I think that if a driver determines that a unit is unsafe to operate, you can refuse to operate it without the company taking any disciplinary action against you. I have done this myself. It is the drivers job to be sure the truck is safe to operate.

My company has done this too. Our trucks are set to shut down after 5 mins idling.

[jteamomaha]

UPDATE: We had first quarter safety meetings today and this came up again. It seems the problem isn't with our Safety Manager. I guess it's the "suits" from Corporate that refuse to budge on the issue. I impressed upon them again at the meeting that this is a serious serious issue and should be addressed. When I asked if something bad had to happen to someone first the answer was "pretty much." I don't know whether to continue to force the issue or just be quiet about it. Again, thanks to all who posted replies. Still reading and enjoying your comments.

[Double R]

I don't know whether to continue to force the issue or just be quiet about it.

Write the letters "OOS" on your DVCR at the end of the day and hand it in. MAKE SURE that you also keep a copy.

We(the drivers) have done this several times to a few of our problem trucks when we got no results from the shop. Amazing how once you put a truck "OOS", the problems seem to mysteriously get fixed.

[Malaki86]

Go to the nearest scalehouse and explain it to the DOT officers. If there's no scale near, call your state's DOT office and explain it to them.