july2022 - 46

TMC Special Section
VMRS UPDATE
Equipment coding
for the future
Equipment maintenance has seen a lot of changes
over the years, but VMRS is still the tried-andtrue
method of tracking maintenance repairs.
By Jack Poster
Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards
(VMRS) codes continually reflect the many
changes that occur in equipment maintenance.
ATA's Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC)
works directly with vehicle manufacturers,
parts manufacturers, fleets, and software firms
when adding new codes to the VMRS standard-
that's what keeps VMRS relevant and vital for
all users. VMRS is a structured coding system
that provides the discipline to operate in today's
point-and-click world.
Since 1970, the purpose of VMRS has been
to provide a vital communication link between
maintenance personnel, computers, and management.
It establishes a " universal " language for
fleets, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs),
industry suppliers, computers, and those people
whose responsibility it is to specify, purchase,
operate, and maintain equipment.
Developed by and for equipment users
under the auspices of the American Trucking
Associations, VMRS provides the discipline
necessary for industry segments to communicate
with each other. VMRS is the shorthand of
maintenance reporting, eliminating the need
for extensive written communications with all
the inherent problems of miscommunication
normally associated with the written word.
codes were added to VMRS, as well as codes for
a fifth wheel electronic sensor coupling system.
VMRS codes were also added to reflect the newer
antifreeze compounds found in today's equipment.
These include organic acid technology
(OAT), nitrite-free OAT, and hybrid OAT types
of coolant.
There are also codes for newer aerodynamic
devices such as wheel covers and splash guards,
as well as for trailer rear tail extender assemblies
and trailer walking floor assemblies.
TMC is currently collaborating with several
manufacturers on developing VMRS codes for
electric vehicle (EV) components. To date, there
are more than 380 EV codes in the VMRS Code
Key 33 Component Code database. And that
number is increasing on a regular basis. All EV
codes will contain " Electric Vehicle " in the part
description, making it easier to differentiate EV
parts from traditional vehicle components.
It's vital to have the manufacturing community's
support and assistance when entering codes
for new and emerging technologies since adding
new VMRS codes is truly a collaborative effort.
As new technologies are introduced, TMC will
continue to make sure that VMRS contains the
codes needed for implementation and general
use by all concerned.
There's more to VMRS than the nine-digit
157047986 | Pix569 | Dreamstime
TMC continually includes new VMRS codes
for updated and emerging technologies. In 2002,
collision avoidance system codes were added.
In 2006, lane departure and exhaust aftertreatment
codes were added to the VMRS universe.
Many times, new codes are added prior to the
release of technology. For example, Selective
Catalytic Reduction System (SCR) codes were
added in 2008, two years prior to being mandated.
TMC worked with several OEMs to develop
the codes and have them ready for general use.
In recent months, lane keep assist and other
Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
46 Fleet Maintenance | July 2022
Component Code; there are also Code Keys for
describing asset types, labor functions, and
part failures, among others. A new Code Key
was recently added for recording tire position
using four data points: axle type, axle sequence,
left/right position, and inner/outer/center orientation.
The new Code Key request came from
key industry stakeholders who decided that
implementing VMRS is an important part of
their business model.
There have been a multitude of changes in
the trucking and transportation industry in the
past fifty years, and VMRS has been there as
an important part of equipment maintenance.
Fleet managers have always relied on VMRS to
provide them with the best method for producing
maintenance reports. It is imperative that
VMRS contains codes for the latest technologies.
Equipment maintenance has seen a lot of
changes over the years, but VMRS is still the
tried-and-true method of tracking maintenance
repairs. VMRS will continue to chart new horizons
as equipment maintenance continues to
evolve. VMRS will be there for future generations
as it has for the past 50 years.
TMC Recommended Practices
enter appeal period
The Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations
is proposing adoption of the following Recommended Practices.
* Proposed RP 110E(T) Low-Tension Cable for Heavy-Duty Truck-Tractor
Wiring Systems-This RP addresses requirements covering up to 60 volt
direct current (Vdc) low-voltage electrical cable for heavy-duty tractor and
trailer applications.
* Proposed RP 166A(T) Low-Voltage Primary Electrical Cable Specification for
Heavy-Duty Electrical Repair-This RP defines the proper terminology and
specifications for a universal, low-voltage (maximum 60 volts) primary wiring
cable that meets the performance requirements needed for servicing heavyduty
truck, tractor, or trailer electrical systems.
* Proposed RP 177A(T), Solar Power for Commercial Vehicles-This RP offers
information on solar power components used in multi-voltage systems for
commercial vehicles.
* Proposed RP 410C(T), Seat Belt Assembly, Inspection, and Maintenance
Procedures-This RP provides a formal procedure for inspecting and
maintaining vehicle seat belt assemblies in cab and sleeper berth applications.
* Proposed RP 417B(T), Selection Guidelines for Pneumatic Tractor-Trailer
Hookup Lines-This RP offers selection guidelines for coiled and straight
pneumatic tractor-to-trailer hookup lines used on Class 7-8 combination
vehicles.
* Proposed RP 435B(T), Installation and Inspection Guidelines for Pneumatic
and Electrical Tractor-Trailer Hookup Lines-This RP offers installation
and inspection guidelines for coiled and straight pneumatic tractor-to-trailer
hookup lines used on Class 7-8 combination vehicles.
* Proposed RP 436C(T), Air Conditioning System Performance Requirements
for Truck Cabs With and Without Sleepers-This RP helps equipment users
select an air conditioning (A/C) system that best suits fleet operational needs
by means of a standardized test used to compare factory-installed systems.
* Proposed RP 442B(T), Standardization of Speedometer and Tachometer
Signals-This RP establishes a standard vehicle speed signal and frequency
and a standard engine speed signal and frequency that can be used by any
electronic device on a heavy-duty vehicle requiring the knowledge of ground
speed/distance or engine revolution information.
* Proposed RP 443A(T), In-Cab Cleaning and Deodorizing Guidelines-This
RP offers guidelines for the in-cab cleaning and deodorizing of commercial
vehicles.
* Proposed RP 444A(T), Placement and Structural Requirements for Heavy
Truck Navigation/Communication Devices-This RP provides guidance to
vehicle manufacturers in the mounting provisions for installation of mobile
communications systems such as Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and
navigation devices on medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
* Proposed RP 503C(T), Standardization of Training Aid Materials-This
RP establishes guidelines for the development of audio-visual/multimedia
training programs for the trucking industry.
* Proposed RP 520A(T), A/C System Refrigerant Flushing-This RP covers
flushing material, equipment, and procedures for flushing vehicle cab A/C
systems in service, repair, or retrofit operations.
* Proposed RP 528A(T), Technician Certification Program Guidelines-This
RP offers guidelines for planning, designing, and implementing a technician
development program that encourages professional development through
technical certification.
* Proposed RP 531A(T), Parts Inventory Management Guidelines-This RP
helps fleet management better manage parts inventory to maximize vehicle
utilization and part return on investment.
* Proposed RP 536A(T), Guidelines for Technician Exposure to Road Deicing
Chemicals-The purpose of this RP is to offer protective guidelines to
technicians who may come in contact with road deicing chemicals during the
course of vehicle maintenance.
* Proposed RP 539A(T), Workflow Practices and Metrics for Unscheduled
Repair Events-The purpose of this RP is to establish standard workflow
procedures and practices for addressing unscheduled repair events involving
commercial vehicles.
* Proposed RP 546(T), Criteria for Commercial Vehicle Technician
Apprenticeship Programs-This RP offers guidelines for developing an
apprenticeship program for the development of medium- and heavy-duty
commercial vehicle technicians.
* Proposed RP 547(T), Guidelines for Advanced Driver Assistance System
(ADAS) Nomenclature-This RP provides a glossary of terms for Advanced
Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technologies available for installation in
commercial vehicles.
* Proposed RP 624C(T), Lubricant Fundamentals-This RP describes different
types of lubricants used in commercial vehicles.
* Proposed RP 646A(T), Driveline Fastener Preventive Maintenance-This RP
provides guidelines for driveline fastener preventive maintenance.
* Proposed RP 648A(T), Troubleshooting Ride Complaints-This RP offers
procedures to identify the " root cause(s) " of vehicle ride complaints and
guidelines to help address these issues.
* Proposed RP 652A(T), Service and Inspection of Air Disc Brakes-This RP
offers guidelines for the service and inspection of air disc brakes used on
medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
* Proposed RP 664(T), Wheel End Thermal Event Mitigation-This RP
helps fleet personnel prevent wheel end thermal events- i.e., fires-from
occurring during commercial vehicle operation.
* Proposed RP 805A(T), Parts Vendor Performance Evaluation-This RP
helps fleet maintenance managers choose vehicle parts vendors in a fair and
impartial manner.
* Proposed RP 806B(T), Service Vendor Performance Evaluation-This RP
assists fleets in making objective decisions when choosing among competing
vendors.
* Proposed RP 809A(T), Guidelines for Electronic Repair Orders-This
RP provides guidelines for standardizing the transmission and capture of
electronic repair order transactions.
* Proposed RP 1208E(T), PC Selection Guidelines for Service Tool
Applications-This RP addresses the acquisition and use of off-board personal
computers (PCs) for vehicle diagnosis, repair, and maintenance management.
* Proposed RP 1217B(T), Tractor-Trailer Interface Guidelines-This RP defines
the minimum requirements for a new and optional replacement/supplemental
connector for the SAE J560 connector.
* Proposed RP 1221A(T), Guidelines for Lane Departure Warning Systems-
This RP provides guidelines for the selection and specification of a lane
departure warning system (LDWS) used on Class 7-8 combination vehicles.
Any party may submit a written request of appeal of a proposed Recommended
Practice (RP). However, the request must be received by the Technology &
Maintenance Council within 90 days of publication of this notice. If no appeals
are made at the end of the 90 days, the RP will be formally adopted by TMC. (The
suffix " T " indicates an RP is proposed.) With the printing of this issue, the following
RPs are now open to the 90-day appeal process. Written appeals can be sent
to TMC Technical Director Jack Legler, 80 M Street, SE, Suite 800, Washington,
DC 20003. Phone: (703) 838-7956; jlegler@trucking.org.
july2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of july2022
