Book excerpt: Based on the 2014 National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) Medium/Heavy Truck Tasks Lists and ASE Certification Test Series for truck and bus specialists, Fundamentals of Medium/Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicle Systems is designed to address these and other international training standards. The text offers comprehensive coverage of every NATEF task with clarity and precision in a concise format that ensures student comprehension and encourages critical thinking. Fundamentals of Medium/Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicle Systems describes safe and effective diagnostic, repair, and maintenance procedures for today's medium and heavy vehicle chassis systems, including the most current, relevant, and practical coverage of: * Automated transmissions * Braking system technology used in vehicle stability, collision avoidance, and new stopping distance standards * Hybrid drive powertrains * Advanced battery technologies * On board vehicle networks and integrated chassis electrical control system * Automatic transmission drive shafts and drive axles * Charging, starting, vehicle instrumentation and chassis electrical systems * On-board diagnostic systems, electronic signal processing, and sensor operation * Steering, suspension, frames, hitching, and air conditioning systems * Environmental and fuel efficiency technologies Additional features include: * Up-to-date NATEF coverage * Support of ASE certification test preparation for medium-heavy truck and bus test series * A clear, accessible writing style * Reinforcement of concepts learned * Application to real-world practice * A wealth of photographs, illustrations, and step-by-step explanations with visual summaries