2014 Prostar

Nice. Too bad it needs DEF.

I have a 2013 that does not use DEF. Which trucks use DEF at Roehl? Is there any rhyme or reason? I'm just glad I don't need it.

 

Only 2013 and older Prostars with maxxforce don't need def. all others do. Unless it's an '07 or something like that. Def isn't really that bad. You can go about 3k miles on a half tank of def. I tend to put some in every other fillup. Otherwise it does take a long time to put in 12 gallons or so.

 

What is DEF?

I Gotts' ta' know!

 

What engine is in the 2014 prostar?

 

Diesel exhaust fluid. It has a separate tank, the filler cap is blue.

 

It's is Urea, which they dump into the exhaust and makes acid which kills you slower because it does'nt cause cancer in rats, just eats your lungs up a little at a time.

"Late Lament"

Breathe deep the gathering gloom,
Watch lights fade from every room.
Bedsitter people look back and lament,
Another day's useless energy spent.
Impassioned lovers wrestle as one,
Lonely man cries for love and has none.
New mother picks up and suckles her son,
Senior citizens wish they were young.
Cold hearted orb that rules the night,
Removes the colours from our sight.
Red is grey and yellow white.
But we decide which is right.
And which is an illusion?
Moody Blues

 

Happy you got a new ride!

I don't want to derail the thread, but, may I ask how you did it?

I have been driving for approximately 7 months using the same 2013 Prostar. When I received the truck I suspected the engine brake was not working. Being a newb and not realizing what one sounds like or what to expect, I drove for 3 months not knowing what the hell I was doing wrong on mountains. I know to slow down, and grab lower gears.

After smoking the brakes coming down from Flagstaff to Phoenix, I called my FM and Maintenance and pretty much begged for the truck to get into the shop. Turns out the engine brake was not working AT ALL. This is after going through the Gorge, Mt Eagle, and numerous other butt puckering adventures. Every time I called to ask for help, or send messages regarding mountain driving, I was basically told I was doing something wrong. Really made me feel like I was a clueless moron. I agree to a certain extent I am, but seriously, they talked to me like I was a child.

Prior to this my AC did not work for approx. 3 weeks. This was mid-summer in GA, FL, all the way west to Arizona. When I sent a message indicating my AC was inop, I was told to call Maintenance. LOL. They had me trouble-shoot a fuse and look at some stuff. Nothing corrected the problem and I was told to send it to the shop when I got home. So, for 3 weeks no AC in AZ/NM/TX/OK etc at 110+. MISERABLE. (Note: The AZ Terminal wouldn't touch the truck because they feared if they incorrectly repaired the problem the truck could potentially start on fire.) I am not making this up. FM told me the truck owner before me had AC issues, and experienced a small fire in the shop. WTF!

Fast forward about a month, I'm happily driving along enjoying what it's like to not feel like your going to die and get assplanted going down a mountain. When the cab fills up with smoke and a really strong fuel odor. Notified FM and and was told to call Maintenance. Maintenance said the engine was doing a regen, nothing to worry about. OK.

Continue driving and continue to experience this fuel odor and smoke in the cab. Keep pestering FM about it who finally agrees to get the truck in the shop. I swear it's because the truck was do for it's PM. Seriously, the attitude I got when I brought this issue up was terrible.

Come back to work last Monday and see Maintenance found a leaking fuel line that dripped onto the exhaust during engine braking causing the smell and smoke. FM hasn't said anything to me. I want to call him out and say I told you so but won't.

Sorry for the long ### post, I just really need to vent.

I hate this truck. I did request a different truck from my FM. I was told their all hand-built and once you get all the bugs worked out you'll have no problems again. Also something about only having so many trucks available and not enough for the new drivers. Literally as three new drivers came downstairs and climbed into the new plastic-on-the-seat trucks.

I'm not asking for a brand new truck. I realize it could be worse. Just a different one. Now my check engine light is on. 3rd time since I've had the truck.

Well, that's my little story, thanks for reading.

Safe travels people.