Longtime trucker offers younger generation advice for long engine life

‘Always know what’s going into your engine. Your engine is your life, feed it only the best products like Mobil Delvac and avoid no-name additives,’ says Tom Quinton, owner/operator of 37 years.

 

Tom Quinton spends most of his days hauling heavy construction equipment and cranes north and south between Canada and Texas. With so much experience running in extreme conditions, Tom offers critical advice for younger drivers.

We had a chance to catch up with Tom while he took a break at his Ontario home to enjoy hunting for moose, tinkering with his Harley-Davidson and relaxing with family.

Q: How long have you been driving and what routes do you run?
Quinton: I’ve been an owner/operator for about 37 years, running heavy construction equipment to job sites all over North America. I’ve spent the last 12 years driving for Landstar. A couple years ago they presented me with the Million Mile Safe Driver Award, which I was very proud to receive.

Q: What kind of truck do you drive?
Quinton: I’m driving a Kenworth W900 with a Caterpillar engine that has about 1.5 million miles on it.

Q: How did you first get interested in trucking?
Quinton: My father was a truck driver and both of my brothers are truck drivers, so I guess you could say I’m in the family business.

Q: What maintenance advice would you share with other drivers?
Quinton: Know exactly what’s going in your engine. Make sure that technician in the shop is putting in Mobil Delvac. Even if he says he is, always, make sure. I’ve always used Mobil Delvac and it’s taken me more than a million miles in my truck. Don’t settle for no-name additives and always use quality products in your engine.

Q: How important is the reliability of your truck to your business?
Quinton: When you haul construction equipment to job sites, you better be on time. Every second that you’re late costs the builders a great deal of money. I drive in severe weather conditions in Canada where temperatures reach -40°F and Mobil Delvac has helped me show up on time throughout my career.

Q: Do you have any hobbies that help pass the time on the long haul?
Quinton: I am involved with the Trucker Buddy International program. I send post cards once a week to children at an elementary school in South Carolina, and, once a month, they send me a letter.