#2054 - Behind the Machines That Keep a Community Moving

The show explains that oil can get past piston rings and enter the combustion chamber, where it burns along with the air-fuel mixture. That means an engine can consume oil without leaving an obvious leak underneath the vehicle.

The show emphasizes checking the oil regularly and not allowing the engine to run low. Drivers should not wait until the oil warning light comes on before adding oil.

Yes. During the call about the 2019 Kia, full synthetic oil is recommended as part of an effort to manage the oil-consumption problem. The discussion also mentions induction service and an oil additive as possible measures to help manage the condition.

Meet the Machines is a community event that gives families an opportunity to see many kinds of vehicles and equipment up close. The episode features airplanes, helicopters, public-safety vehicles, trucks and other specialized machines.

The airport crash truck featured on the show is designed specifically for aircraft emergencies and airfield operation. It carries thousands of gallons of water along with firefighting foam and dry chemical agent, and it can travel across terrain that a typical fire truck may have difficulty reaching.

The episode explains that the first airport fire truck must be able to reach anywhere on the airfield in under three minutes. Additional apparatus can then arrive shortly afterward to support rescue and firefighting operations.

Airport firefighters receive specialized aircraft rescue and firefighting training in addition to regular firefighter and driver training. The guest explains that operators also train on individual trucks because their controls and equipment can differ, followed by ongoing refresher training.

The Richmond County Marshal's Office uses explosive-detection dogs to help screen luggage, vehicles and unattended bags at the airport. Their handlers continually train with them and learn to recognize changes in the dogs' behavior when they encounter a trained odor.

The K9 vehicles discussed on the show have specially converted kennel areas and temperature-monitoring equipment. The heat-alert system can notify handlers if temperatures become unsafe and can ultimately activate additional safety measures in the vehicle.

The truck carries the ingredients for concrete separately and mixes them at the job site. That allows fresh concrete to be produced on demand instead of transporting an already-mixed load from a stationary batch plant.

Before leaving town, the show recommends giving the vehicle a basic pre-trip inspection and checking items such as the engine oil. For an older vehicle, it also suggests considering basic hand tools and emergency supplies and making sure the vehicle is in good mechanical condition before the trip.