Control + interaction = management

The principal features of a CANbus system are control and interaction. The precision of the control and the way in which different functions can interact (for example, engine and brakes reacting together, triggered by the Electronic Stability Program) create unprecedented opportunities for managing the truck.

Managing a truck in a way that optimises performance and economy. Managing a truck in a way that enhances safety and reduces environmental impact. Managing a truck to improve its productivity. These are all benefits that all have positive impacts on your business.

At the heart of the Scania CANbus is a central control unit (coordinator) through which all functions are monitored and managed – including ancillary equipment. From here, the truck’s electrical functions are arranged in three circuits: red, yellow and green.

Red functions cover all main management units: engine, gearbox, brakes and suspension. Yellow covers instruments, bodywork systems, locking and alarm systems, and lights. Green covers comfort systems, such as climate control, audio and Infomatics. Any failure in orange or green will not disable the vehicle. An yellow failure will alert the driver and create an error log.

A red failure will disable the truck for safety reasons. It will also inform the driver through a series of codes the nature of the malfunction. Fast roadside rectification will be a realistic objective.

All electrical functions can be checked with simple plug-in diagnostic software. The complete electrical system can be checked in minutes. These checks can be carried out with a laptop computer. This means that a vehicle could be a long distance from a Scania workshop and yet still get fast and accurate diagnosis of faults.  In a worst-case scenario, a decision to recover the vehicle can be made quickly. More likely, rectification on the spot by a Scania technician will be accomplished.