Answering Some Frequently Asked Questions About the Hino 300 Series

Hino Motors calls their Hino trucks the hardest-working in Australia. Looking for a truck? The Hino 300 Series is a great option. Here’s what you need to know. 

A monster in the light-duty truck class, the Hino 300 Series can be found all over Australia. Hino Motors says they’re the most efficient and comfortable trucks on the market.

They have plenty of reasons to brag. 

Constant improvements to fuel efficiency make their vehicles an instant consideration for commercial operators. They’re also the first carmaker in Australia to build Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) into their trucks.

So it’s pretty clear that you get great performance and a smooth ride as part of the Hino service. But you need to know exactly what you’re buying before you commit to a purchase.

Here, we’re going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Hino 300 Series.

How Many Models Are in the Series?

Hino offers 67 trucks under the 300 Series umbrella. These include both wide and standard cab variants. Plus they offer eight hybrid models. 

Several of these trucks fall into the “Built to Go” commercial categories, which include the following:

• TradeAce
• WorkAce
• SteelAce
• Tipper

Each of these ranges offers modified Hino 300 trucks to suit specific commercial applications.

What’s the Engine Like?

Most trucks in the 300 Series use Hino’s 4.0-litre N04C turbo-diesel engine. This offers a solid combination of power and torque.

This is where you’ll see the company’s commitment to lower emissions manifest. Their more modern engines utilise Variable Nozzle Turbo technology. They also feature common-rail fuel injection. Both allow the engine to manage power levels so they’re appropriate to the situation.

In fact, this engine meets the Enhanced Environmentally-Friendly Vehicle (EEV) standards. And if you opt for the Hino 300 Hybrid, emissions drop by a further 25%.

The Diesel Particulate Active Reduction System is another standout feature. It offers a self-cleaning function that activates whenever a filter reaches 30% capacity. Over time, this means you spend less money on replacing components to keep the engine running. Plus, it lightens the maintenance load you have to deal with.

The engine used in the wide-cab Hino 300 models offers six-speed transmission. For the standard cab variants, you get a choice between that and five-speed.

There’s also the 5.1-litre engine to consider. Hino uses it in their high-horsepower models. It features much the same technology as the 4.0, only with some added oomph. Unfortunately, it doesn’t meet EEV standards. However, it does manage to fulfil the Euro 5 standards, which is an impressive accomplishment given the extra horsepower on offer.

What Can I Expect in Terms of Fuel Consumption?

It depends on which of the Hino trucks you buy and what engine it uses.

According to CarsGuide, the Hino 300 Series achieves between 4.9km/L and 6.4km/L.

The latter figure likely applies to the hybrid engine. And it’s not confirmed whether the lower figure only relates to the 4.0-litre engine or if it includes the 5.1-litre variant.

Do I Get Multimedia Options in the Cab?

Hino has always been at the head of the pack when it comes to incorporating multimedia options into their trucks. 

In fact, it was the first to build a DAB+ unit into all of its trucks as standard.

So, what can you expect from the current Hino 300 Series?

Most trucks come with a 6.1-inch touchscreen that offers DAB+, AM, and FM radio. You get CD and DVD players, as well as Bluetooth functionality if you want to stream from a device. There are also slots for SD cards and USB cables.

But it’s in safety that this system really excels. The trucks have infrared and sound-enabled cameras built into the rear. Using the touchscreen, you can utilise this feature to ensure you’re not dealing with blind spots as you reverse.

What Other Safety Features do Hino Trucks Offer?

Beyond the cameras, the Hino 300 Series offers an array of safety features.

As mentioned, Hino installs VSC into all of its trucks. This system automatically applies the brakes to individual wheels as needed. You get an extra layer of safety when manoeuvring your truck.

VSC also offers some traction control, which should prevent skidding in many circumstances. You’re able to turn this feature off in situations where traction control could prove disadvantageous. For example, you can turn it off in muddy conditions, allowing you to spin the wheels faster to clear your tread.

The trucks also offer ABS brakes with Brake Assist (BA). This feature assists you in cases where you need to make an emergency stop.

Finally, most trucks in the Hino 300 Series come with both driver and passenger airbags. In addition, you have emergency-locking retracting seat belts.

Do the Trucks Offer Cruise Control?

Yes, at least most modern Hino 300 trucks do.

You can set the speed at any point and allow the truck to maintain it. Typically, this improves fuel efficiency, making it ideal for long-haul drives. Of course, not having to manipulate the pedals as much also helps with driver fatigue.

Do I Have a Choice Between Manual and Automatic Transmission?

You do with the standard cabs in the range. However, most wide cabs come with the six-speed automatic transmission only.

Of special note here is the ProShift 5 Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). Hino uses this in its hybrid trucks.

It’s an electronic system that automatically switches gears for you. But it’s most notable for the fact that the trucks using this system have no clutch. This means less wear and tear, less complicated driving conditions, and superior fuel consumption.

You also have the option of switching from the automatic Drive to the Sequential option. This allows you to manually switch gears if desired, again with no need for clutch operation.

The Hino 300 Series

The quality Hino service you expect is present across the entire 300 series. The manufacturer reinforces its reputation with industry-leading safety and fuel economy specs.

All that’s left is to find some Hino trucks for your fleet.

That’s where Truck Dealers Australia comes in. We have a large number of Hino trucks listed for sale on our network, including the Hino 300 series.