Bendix announces 2024 technical training

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has unveiled its brake training schedule for 2024, which includes multi-day classes across the country from March to November. The classes come in both in-person and virtual formats and are for new and experienced technicians and owner-operators alike. Each class is hosted by a Tech Training Team member.

“Technical training is more important than ever – at Bendix, we hear this time and again in conversations with fleets across North America,” said Al Rollison, Bendix interim senior director, fleet & aftermarket sales and service. “Technicians operate in a fast-changing commercial vehicle environment, where safety components advance rapidly. The pressure is intense for carriers to maintain overall safety, performance, and uptime – while striving to lower their total cost of ownership. It’s in this landscape that Bendix maintains its decades-long dedication to providing comprehensive, convenient training.”

Bendix is offering training in seven different states until November. 11 of these will be Bendix’s three-day Air Brake Training class, the first of which will be from March 19-21 at Bendix’s headquarters in Avon, Ohio. Additionally, four two-day Advanced Technology Training classes are available, with two in Avon and two in Sparks, Nevada. The first of these is April 16-17 in Avon.

For virtual classes, three sessions of the three-day training classes are available, with one in Eastern time and the other two in Mountain time.

Registration is currently open for all classes, although Bendix recommends participants take their Air Brake training class or online air brake training before enrolling in the Advanced Technology class. Also, trainings are limited and work on a first-come, first-serve basis. It costs $475 per person to take the Air Brake Training course, $425 for Advanced Technology Training, and $375 for the virtual classes. Participants can enroll online at bendix.com, B2Bendix.com, or rhsheppard.com, by phone at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725), or email [email protected].

Topics covered

The three-day Air Brake Training class, which Bendix recommends technicians take first, covers the description, operation, trouble-shooting, and service for dual air brake system components, as well as the fundamentals of compressed air and tactics for diagnostics and trouble-shooting these systems. It also covers both air brake and foundation brake system components, including air compressors, valves, foundation drum brakes, air disc brakes, and steering. However, the company also recommends participants complete the online air brake training course before joining the in-person training as well.

Meanwhile, the two-day Advanced Technology Trianing course covers the operation and troubleshooting of safety systems and software. These include active steering, antilock braking systems (ABS), the AutoVue Lane Departure Warning (LDW) System, the ESP Electronic Stability Program full-stability system, Bendix’s Wingman Advanced collision mitigation and Wingman Fusion driver assistance system, SafetyDirect, the company’s web-based vehicle monitoring system, and its SmarTire and SmarTire Trailer-Link TPMS. Classes for these systems also include hands-on instruction for air disc brakes and electrical diagnostics.

“The increase in technological advances in braking and stability makes this training a must for the advanced technician,” said Brian Screeton, Bendix manager – technical training and service. “As safety advances continue, technicians are only going to see more of these systems and components. Courses like ours provide critical foundational knowledge for both today’s and tomorrow’s trucks.”

Finally, registrants from both the Air Brake Training and Advanced Technology Training can choose to take a written test at the end of each class. If they pass, they may receive a ‘Tested and Passed’ certificate. Those who do not pass will still get a certificate of completion. However, be aware that these courses and certificates are not affiliated with the U.S. DOT and that Bendix doesn’t certify technicians to work on its systems.