I started my career at Pittsburgh Power with grease on my hands. For five years, I worked as a diesel mechanic, chasing fault codes, pulling injectors, and learning firsthand what keeps a truck alive or what takes it down. By the time I came up in the industry, computers were already a part of the trade. Diagnostics meant laptops and software, not just wrenches and instincts. But even then, the balance between technology and reliability still leaned toward the driver. A decade later, that balance has shifted hard in the other direction.
Today, I work on the marketing side of the business, and that switch has given me a wider view of the challenges truckers face. From the shop floor, I saw the frustration in a driver’s eyes when a $100 sensor kept him parked for three days. From the office, I see the industry trends and regulations that make those sensors a permanent part of his life. Somewhere between those two worlds, the real and the regulatory, is where Pittsburgh Power has built its mission.
The truth is that modern trucking isn’t getting any simpler. Every new emissions rule brings another layer of technology, and every software update seems to solve one problem while creating two more. Trucks today are packed with sensors, exhaust treatment systems, and electronics that make even small failures expensive. Just two decades ago, downtime meant a mechanical issue you could see and fix. Now, it often starts with a code that only a laptop can read, and only a manufacturer can clear. For owner operators trying to stay profitable, that’s not progress – that’s pressure.
That’s why we have made it our job to help drivers work with technology instead of fighting against it. When I was in the bays, I saw firsthand how much soot and carbon build-up choke modern engines. That’s what led our engineers to create the Max Mileage Fuel Borne Catalyst. It’s not “snake oil” or a quick fix, it’s a proven fuel treatment that improves combustion, cuts soot, reduces regen frequency, and extends the life of aftertreatment systems. For any drivers running emissions-era trucks, it’s one of the few tools that actually help the system perform as it was designed to.
Of course, even the cleanest-burning fuel can’t fix everything. Modern engines can feel sluggish or inefficient right from the factory. That’s where our Remote Tuning comes in. We custom-calibrate engines within EPA guidelines to restore power, drivability, and fuel economy without risking compliance or reliability. It’s about making your truck respond the way it should: stronger, smoother, and more efficient so you can focus on driving, not diagnostics.
And because today’s ultra-low sulfur diesel lacks the lubricity of older fuels, we also developed Flashpoint Fuel Additive. It protects the fuel injectors, improves lubricity, and helps maintain a consistent combustion in all weather conditions by boosting cetane numbers. It’s one more way to protect your investment from the damage that modern fuel chemistry can cause.
But the real challenge facing trucking right now isn’t just the hardware, it’s the politics wrapped around it. Every year brings a new push for electric trucks, new emissions standards, and new labor rules that threaten the independence of all owner operators. The people writing these policies often mean well, but they’ve never had to run a business from the driver’s seat. California’s electric truck mandate, for example, has already been scaled back because the technology and infrastructure just aren’t ready for long-haul freight. The rest of the country should learn from that lesson before forcing any unrealistic changes on operators who already have enough to manage.
From where I sit, having worked both under the hood and behind a computer, I see a common thread – drivers just want control back. They want trucks that respond the way they should. They want technology that works for them, not against them. And they want a fair chance to run their businesses without being buried under a mountain of costs and compliance headaches.
That’s what Pittsburgh Power is about. We’re not here to sell trends or promise miracles, we’re here to provide real solutions for real problems. Whether it’s maximizing efficiency through Max Mileage, fine-tuning performance with Remote Tuning, or protecting your engine with Flashpoint, everything we do comes from the same place – respect for those who make their living behind the wheel.
Even as the industry changes, the spirit of trucking hasn’t gone anywhere. The drivers I meet still take pride in their rigs and still value independence, craftsmanship, and performance. They’re the kind of people who built this country’s freight network long before regulations, software updates, and “zero-emission” goals took center stage. They don’t need saving, they just need tools that work and a team that understands what they’re up against.
Ten years in, I still carry lessons from both the shop and the office. I’ve learned that progress isn’t about replacing drivers, it’s about supporting them. And as long as Pittsburgh Power exists, we’ll keep standing shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who keep America moving helping them stay efficient, independent and in control, no matter what changes come next.
Thank you to Jordan for offering his insights into the current state of trucks and trucking this month. We have the best people here at Pittsburgh Power! See for yourself – visit our shop in Saxonburg, PA, check us out online at www.pittsburghpower.com, or call us at (724) 360-4080. I do not think you will be disappointed!