VTNA, Mack provide unlimited remote parameter updates

Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks provide unlimited remote parameter updates to customers. With access to all Volvo Trucks parameter updates, customers can now optimize their vehicles’ operations without limitations. Parameter updates can be completed from virtually anywhere, enabling Volvo Trucks North America customers and their drivers to boost their uptime, efficiency, and productivity. Mack customers can now make unlimited parameter updates through the Mack Over The Air (OTA) remote programming solution, improving uptime and simplifying the update process.

“With an unlimited number of parameter updates, we allow customers to proactively change settings to continuously optimize their truck for its different transport assignments, instead of waiting until it is absolutely necessary,” said Conal Deedy, director of connected vehicle services at Volvo Trucks North America.

“Mack wanted to make it easier for customers to implement parameter updates since some need to do so on a frequent basis depending upon their specific applications,” said David Pardue, vice president of connected vehicle and contract services for Mack Trucks. “Unlimited parameter updates help improve the total cost of ownership, fuel efficiency, and vehicle productivity, so Mack is pleased to be able to offer this to our customers.”

Volvo customers can select from an extensive collection of individual and bundled vehicle parameter kits to establish controls, such as maximum road speed, cruise speed, idle shutdown time, Volvo I-Shift transmission shift logic, and other settings. From there, they can directly activate over-the-air updates via the instrument cluster in minutes. Administering updates remotely gives the customer complete control to decide when and where to download parameter specs to an individual vehicle, ensuring it is intelligently configured for its actual working environment.

Mack offers an extensive list of vehicle parameters that can be set through Mack OTA, including maximum road speed, multiple idle shutdown parameter and kits, and parameters that control the Mack mDRIVE automated manual transmission.

“Volvo Trucks leads the industry in the number of operational parameters that can be adjusted over the air,” said Deedy. “These updates can enhance fuel efficiency, increase a truck’s productivity, reduce costs, and improve driver retention, making a direct, positive impact on the customer’s bottom line.”

Mack recently made driver-activated OTA updates standard on the Mack Anthem, Pinnacle, and Granite models, enabling customers to implement software and parameter updates themselves at a time when it’s most convenient for them. Each customer designates who has permission to initiate the update, whether it is the driver or a designated technician who will use a unique password. Most driver-activated software updates – which enhance product performance – are completed in less than 13 minutes, while driver-activated parameter updates are usually completed in less than one minute. Multiple vehicles can be updated at one time.

Volvo Trucks’ Driver Display Activation feature, which is a new enhancement to the Remote Programming service and now standard on all Volvo trucks, also makes the process faster and more flexible by putting parameter and software updates directly into the hands of fleet operators and drivers.

“There is a direct connection between the strategic use of parameters and the ability to streamline costs, optimize efficiencies, and monitor a fleet’s environmental footprint,” said Ashley Murickan, product marketing manager at Volvo Trucks North America. “Every update represents value to the customer, and the added convenience of our Driver Display Activation application allows these parameters to be updated with minimal disruption to operations.”

The driver download activation feature is factory-equipped on models built beginning November 30, 2020, at Lehigh Valley Operations, in Macungie, Pennsylvania, where all Mack Class 8 models for North America and export are assembled. Software retrofits for 2019 Model Year and later Anthem, Pinnacle, and Granite models also are available. The driver-activated feature can be retrofitted on Mack Model Year 2019 and newer vehicles through Mack Premium Tech Tool, a Windows-based application designed to test, calibrate, and program engine parameters.

“Mack set the industry standard for remote programming when we launched OTA, and since then, we’ve continued to work toward offering customers a quick, efficient, simple way to implement updates to their vehicles,” Pardue said. “Unlimited parameter updates are a testament to this, saving customers time and money, while also offering them the flexibility and efficiency they need to effectively run their business.”

If assistance is ever needed with any over-the-air service, Volvo Trucks’ highly trained employees are always available through the Volvo Trucks Uptime Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, with in-house agents providing industry-leading expertise and support.

Unlimited parameter updates can be accessed as part of Volvo Trucks’ Remote Diagnostics bundle of Uptime Services, either during the initial two-year period covered free of charge, any renewal period, or any extended coverage period. Mack OTA is free for the first two years of ownership and can be extended by subscription after that time. OTA allows customers to make vehicle parameter settings and software updates remotely through Mack’s fully integrated telematics platform, the Mack GuardDog Connect bundle. OTA parameter changes also are available for previously purchased vehicles with Mack EPA 2017 engines. Agent-guided Mack OTA continues unchanged through Mack OneCall for trucks ineligible for the driver-activated updates.