How Mechanics are Coping During an Extraordinary Time

Vehicle Mechanics and Technicians are Increasingly Essential During Coronavirus

Truckers have always worked hard behind the scenes to keep America running, and with the spread of COVID-19 — the disease caused by the novel Coronavirus — the transportation industry in America has become increasingly important. But what's also critical during this time are those who keep our long-haul, short-haul, and last-mile delivery vehicles up — our nation's mechanics and technicians.

Vehicle maintenance and mechanic workshops were deemed "essential services" by the National Security Council, and while delivery trucks and vans continue to roll on in the battle against Coronavirus, life at mechanic shops also carries on.

Staying Safe in the Shop

Just as concerted efforts need to be made to keep all truckers and all essential workers safe, vehicle mechanics and technicians also need to be part of health and safety efforts. So, what can mechanic shops do to keep their teams safe? Based on recommended guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and what other shops have implemented since the start of the Coronavirus, mechanics can protect themselves by:

• Staying out of the truck cabs as much as possible. Some shops report having the drivers perform light inspections and in-cab inspections while the technician stands outside of the vehicle. This can help create more distance and minimize exposure.


• Keeping teams informed and stocked with supplies. It's possible to create some distance during normal shop operations, but at the end of the day, mechanics need to touch the trucks. Making sure all new and important information reaches all team members and making sure protective and sanitizing supplies are stocked can help maintain safety and health.


• Thoroughly wiping down all surfaces they are likely to touch while performing truck service. In instances where in-cab service is necessary, wearing protective gloves and wiping down the door handles, steering wheels, gear shifts and other high-touch surfaces can help minimize exposure.


• Sanitize high touchpoints around the shop. This can include telephones, touch screens, keyboards, cash registers, card readers, light switches, and more.

Most mechanics are already good about washing their hands after service has been performed, but doing so beforehand and between vehicles can also help.

Trucks are Continuing to Run Hard During the Pandemic

The trucking and transportation industries show no signs of slowing during this pandemic, and with emergency declarations recently extended for trucker Hours of Service, mechanics and technicians are going to continue to be essential to the uptime of these necessary vehicles.

Developing and implementing safety measures for our vehicle mechanics and technicians will continue to be an important part of keeping our industry going and thriving during this time. Every employee who's part of the transportation process is important, and knowing the best ways to protect everyone will get us through this wave of Coronavirus.

We're Here For You

We're proud to be part of the backbone of America — the trucking industry — and we are here to make sure you get the parts you need as we continue this long journey through COVID-19 together.

Our customer service remains active and is supporting customers remotely, and our parts distribution centers are still operational at standard business hours and capacity. Our e-commerce website is also open 24/7/365 to help you get what you need and when you need it. Whether it's a specific brand, part category, or part number you're looking for, we're here to help you get the job done.

We are still here for you – let's do this together.