Sterling Introduces New Safety Features

ORLANDO, FLA. – Feb. 4, 2008 – Sterling Truck Corporation today introduced a number of new factory-installed safety options. These products – air disc brakes, a new collision warning system from Eaton, and roll stability control (RSC) from Meritor WABCO – will be available on Sterling(r) Set-Back A-Line, Set-Back L-Line, Set-Forward L-Line, and Acterra(r) models.

Air Disc Brakes

Ideal for applications that are notoriously hard on truck brakes – such as on-highway hauling through mountainous terrain – these proprietary air disc brakes help reduce stopping distance and are the first to be offered on both the front and rear wheels industry-wide.

“Safety and driver comfort are priorities for our customers,” said Richard Shearing, manager of product strategy for Sterling Truck Corporation. “Spec”ing air disc brakes on all wheels eliminates the fade imbalance that results from mixing air disc and standard drum brakes, making the truck safer and easier to operate.”

Additional benefits of these air disc brakes include a better response rate, shorter stopping distance, longer life, and longer service intervals. Air disc brakes will be available for order in March, with production starting mid-year.

New Eaton-VORAD Collision Warning and SmartCruise(r) Systems

The popular Eaton-VORAD Collision Warning systems have been spec”d in tens of thousands of trucks since Daimler Trucks North America started installing the systems in 1995. Now, Sterling will be offering a new system that includes features such as a cruise control regulating tool, a more compact sensor, and an easier-to-understand driver interface unit.

The Eaton-VORAD VS-400 Collision Warning system provides in-cab notifications that help the driver identify traffic conditions in advance. Alerts are provided for slow-moving vehicles, stationary objects, short following distance warnings, and more.

This system also has the SmartCruise(r) feature, which uses data from the collision warning system to help the truck maintain the appropriate minimum distance from the vehicle in front of it.

All of these notifications are communicated to the driver through an upgraded driver-interface unit that features an LCD screen with text and graphics. The unit can also display multiple warnings simultaneously, has dedicated collision warning LEDs, and more.

The Eaton-VORAD VS-400 system will be available for order in the fourth quarter of the year.

Meritor WABCO RSC

RSC is an economical, reliable, and proven system for avoiding rollover accidents. Meritor WABCO is a pioneer in this market, and Sterling now offers its RSC for operators who want to reduce rollovers as well as jackknifing and loss of control.

“Roll stability systems have been gaining in popularity, and we”re pleased to supply one of the most advanced products on the market,” said Shearing.

RSC continually checks and updates the lateral acceleration of the tractor and compares it to a critical threshold where rollover may occur. When the critical threshold is met, RSC intervenes by reducing engine torque and engaging the engine retarder, while automatically applying drive axle and trailer brakes. Frequently, activation takes place before the driver is even aware of the need.

The Meritor WABCO RSC is currently available for order.

For more information about these products and to find a local dealer, visit https://allianceparts.com/sterling/ or call 800-STL-HELP.

Sterling Truck Corporation, headquartered in Redford, Mich., produces a full line of Class 3-8 work trucks for regional hauling and diverse vocational applications. Sterling is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC and is the recipient of the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for Highest in Customer Satisfaction in Heavy Duty Truck Dealer Service. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets Class 3-8 vehicles and is a Daimler company, the world”s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer.