Kenworth Introduces Over-the-Air Updates for Kenworth Trucks with Newer PACCAR MX Engines

Kenworth has introduced the Kenworth TruckTech+^® Over-The-Air program, which enhances truck uptime by making it convenient for customers to load PACCAR MX engine and aftertreatment software updates. The program began in December 2019 for select customers with full roll out in early 2020.

Kenworth Class 8 trucks equipped with 2017 or later model year PACCAR MX-13 and PACCAR MX-11 engines can receive software updates remotely. Active Kenworth TruckTech+ customers can access these updates on the PACCAR Solutions online portal, or through the PACCAR Over-The-Air mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

“The new Kenworth TruckTech+ Over-the-Air program is an excellent benefit to customers that will increase uptime. It is very important for Kenworth to quickly provide our customers with the latest engine updates and calibrations that promote enhanced fuel economy and performance,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president.

The PACCAR Solutions portal provides customers with visibility to all their Kenworth trucks, truck performance data, and shows those trucks requiring updates. Once the customer approves the update, the vehicle’s software update package is automatically built and the customer receives an email when the download is ready for installation.

When a truck is parked, a member of the customer’s maintenance team or driver simply holds down the cruise control set switch for five seconds and the download begins through the secure PACCAR cloud server. The PACCAR mobile app allows monitoring of the download, and lets our customer know when the download is complete. It is expected that the secure software updates will typically take less than 30 minutes, and can be accomplished when the Kenworth Class 8 truck is parked.