Content Quality & Editorial Standards
Heavy Duty Journal provides free, expert diesel knowledge for technicians, fleet managers, and heavy-duty professionals. These editorial standards guide everything we publish—ensuring accuracy, practical value, and complete transparency in all our content.
Our Editorial Commitments
- Always Free: All content freely accessible—no paywalls, subscriptions, or registration required
- Accuracy First: Technical information verified against manufacturer documentation and industry standards
- Real Expertise: Content grounded in hands-on heavy-duty industry experience, not just research
- Practical Value: Every article provides actionable guidance diesel professionals can use immediately
- Editorial Independence: Content decisions never influenced by advertisers or sponsors
- Transparent Corrections: We fix errors promptly and acknowledge them clearly
Our Editorial Mission
Expert Diesel Knowledge. Always Free.
Heavy Duty Journal exists to make expert diesel knowledge accessible to every professional who needs it. We believe the knowledge that makes great technicians shouldn't be locked behind paywalls or disappear when experienced pros retire. Every article we publish must provide practical, accurate information that helps readers solve real problems, save money, or make better decisions about their equipment and operations.
What Makes Content Worth Publishing
- Solves a Real Problem: Addresses specific challenges diesel technicians, fleet managers, or shop owners actually face
- Technically Accurate: Information verified against OEM documentation, industry standards, or real-world testing
- Immediately Actionable: Readers can apply the guidance right away—not just theoretical knowledge
- Grounded in Experience: Content reflects real-world expertise, not just research or marketing claims
- Appropriate for Professionals: Respects the knowledge level of skilled technicians and experienced fleet managers
Types of Content We Publish
Heavy Duty Journal Articles
Who Creates It: Our editorial team with heavy-duty industry backgrounds
Editorial Control: 100% independent—topics chosen based on what serves readers
How to Identify: Standard article format with "Heavy Duty Journal" or team member byline
Expert Contributor Content
Who Creates It: Industry professionals with verified heavy-duty experience
Editorial Control: We review for accuracy and quality; contributors bring their expertise and perspectives
How to Identify: Contributor byline with credentials (e.g., "John Smith, ASE Master Technician")
Contributor Standards:
- Minimum 3+ years hands-on experience in diesel repair, fleet management, or related field
- Relevant certifications when applicable (ASE, manufacturer training, etc.)
- Verification of credentials and background before publishing
- All technical claims fact-checked and sources cited
For submission process details and associated editorial processing fees, see our Contributor Guidelines.
Sponsored Content
Who Creates It: Created in partnership with advertisers who pay for publication
Editorial Control: We maintain quality and accuracy standards. Sponsored content must genuinely help readers, not just promote products
How to Identify: Clearly labeled "SPONSORED CONTENT" or "PAID PARTNERSHIP" at the top with distinctive styling
Our Sponsored Content Standards:
- Must provide real educational value and actionable guidance
- Technical claims must be accurate and verifiable
- Cannot make unrealistic promises or hide product limitations
- Always clearly labeled before reader starts reading
See our Sponsored Content Policy for complete details.
How We Ensure Accuracy
⚠️ Why Accuracy Matters
Diesel professionals rely on our content to make expensive purchasing decisions and perform critical repairs. Wrong specifications or procedures can cost thousands of dollars or create safety hazards. We take technical accuracy seriously.
Our Verification Process
- Equipment Specifications: Always verified against manufacturer documentation—never trust memory or secondary sources
- Diagnostic Procedures: Must match OEM service manual procedures or established industry standards (SAE, TMC)
- Regulatory Information: Checked against current FMCSA, EPA, and DOT requirements with CFR citations when applicable
- Product Claims: Performance improvements or cost savings require supporting data or documented case studies
- Safety Procedures: Highest scrutiny—must align with OSHA standards and manufacturer safety guidelines
Trusted Sources
We prioritize authoritative sources in this order:
- Primary: OEM service manuals, technical bulletins, manufacturer specifications
- Regulatory: FMCSA/EPA/DOT regulations, SAE standards, TMC Recommended Practices
- Industry: Established trade associations (ATA, TMC, CVSA)
- Expert: Verified interviews with experienced technicians, fleet managers, or manufacturer representatives
We Don't Use: Unverified forums, anonymous tips, competitor marketing materials as sole source, outdated regulations
How We Handle Errors
✓ Our Correction Philosophy
Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is how we fix them. We correct errors promptly, acknowledge them clearly, and credit readers who help us maintain accuracy.
When We Find or Are Told About Errors
Minor Errors (typos, formatting, broken links):
- Fixed immediately without formal notice
Factual Errors (wrong specs, dates, model numbers):
- Fixed within 24 hours of verification
- Correction note added at bottom: "Update [date]: Corrected [specific detail]"
- Reader credited if they identified the error (with their permission)
Serious Errors (technical procedures, safety info, critical specs):
- Fixed immediately
- Prominent correction notice at top of article explaining the error and correct information
- If safety-critical, we'll notify subscribers via email
Example Correction Notice
UPDATE - March 15, 2025: This article originally stated that DEF fluid freezes at 15°F. The correct freezing point is 12°F. We've corrected the article and apologize for the error. Thanks to Mike P. (Fleet Manager, ABC Trucking) for catching this.
Report an Error
Email: [email protected]
What to Include: Article link, the error you found, and the correct information (with source if you have it)
Response Time: We'll investigate within 48 hours and let you know what we found
Editorial Independence
Advertising Doesn't Influence Our Content
- We Choose Our Topics: Article topics and coverage decisions are based on what helps readers, not what advertisers want
- Honest Assessments Always: When we cover products or services, we give honest assessments—including limitations—regardless of advertising relationships
- Critical Coverage Is Allowed: We can and will publish negative or critical information about advertisers when it serves readers
- No Pay-for-Play: Advertisers can't buy favorable editorial coverage. They can buy clearly labeled sponsored content, but not editorial control
- Sponsored Content Is Clearly Labeled: Paid content is always prominently identified before readers start reading
What About Display Ads?
We display ads through direct partnerships and ad networks. These ads have zero influence on our editorial content. Banner ads and sidebar ads are just ads—they don't affect what we write about or how we cover topics.
See our Advertising Disclosure Policy for complete details.
Content Originality & AI Use
Plagiarism Policy
All content must be original. Copying content from other sources without attribution is plagiarism and results in immediate removal. We screen content for plagiarism before publishing.
Proper Attribution Required:
- Direct quotes must be in quotation marks with source identified
- Paraphrased information must credit the original source
- Technical specs must cite manufacturer documentation
- Industry data must link to or cite the source
AI-Assisted Content Policy
We allow the use of AI tools for research assistance and drafting, but published content must demonstrate real heavy-duty expertise and human verification.
Acceptable AI Use:
- Research assistance and finding sources
- Creating article outlines
- First draft generation for human revision
- Grammar checking and editing
Required Human Contribution:
- Real-world experience and practical insights
- All technical claims verified against primary sources
- Equipment specifications checked against OEM documentation
- Diagnostic procedures verified against service manuals
Not Acceptable: Publishing AI-generated content without substantial human expertise, verification, and real-world insights.
Conflicts of Interest
When We Require Disclosure
Contributors must disclose before writing if they:
- Work for a company mentioned in the article
- Own stock in companies they're writing about
- Received free products or services from companies covered
- Have consulting relationships with companies discussed
- Have close personal relationships with people at covered companies
How We Handle Conflicts:
- Minor conflicts: Disclosed in the article ("Author works at XYZ Company but wasn't involved in the products discussed")
- Major conflicts: Article assigned to a different contributor without the conflict
- Undisclosed conflicts: Result in contributor suspension or removal
Content Quality Standards
What We Expect from Every Article
- Addresses a Real Need: Solves an actual problem diesel professionals face—diagnostic issues, compliance questions, equipment decisions, cost reduction
- Provides Actionable Steps: Not just information, but guidance readers can implement right away
- Appropriate Technical Level: Written for professionals with some knowledge, but explains complex concepts clearly
- Well-Organized: Clear structure with headers, logical flow, and easy-to-scan formatting
- Professionally Written: Good grammar, clear explanations, professional tone
- Includes Real Examples: Specific scenarios, actual equipment models, real-world applications
Content We Don't Publish
- Clickbait headlines that don't deliver on their promises
- Thin content that just restates manufacturer marketing materials
- "Miracle solution" claims without supporting data
- Articles stuffed with keywords at the expense of readability
- Dangerous procedures that violate safety standards or regulations
- Content copied from other sources without proper attribution
Our Ethical Standards
Core Principles
- Reader Interests Come First: When we face editorial decisions, we always ask "What serves diesel professionals best?"
- Accuracy Over Speed: We publish when content is ready and verified, not just when it's fast to publish
- Transparency in Relationships: We clearly disclose sponsored content, advertising relationships, and potential conflicts
- Respect for the Industry: We maintain professional tone even when being critical, and we verify information before publishing
- Safety Is Non-Negotiable: When content involves repairs or procedures, safety takes absolute priority
- Free Access for All: We believe expert knowledge should be accessible to every professional who needs it
Questions or Concerns?
We welcome feedback about our content and editorial practices. If you spot errors or have concerns about our standards, please reach out.
