Fleet Maintenance - 31

resistance tires can also reduce drag and improve
fuel efficiency.
While service and maintenance are critical
parts of the maximized uptime of a vehicle's
powertrain, taking a holistic approach by involving all departments will have a profound impact
on improved fuel efficiency. Review current
processes to confirm where changes can be made
to existing PMs and service, and work to understand future technologies to ensure
the best specification for the application while also achieving the best fuel
economy.
Driver training is also a critical part
of the optimized fuel economy of the
vehicle.
To put this in perspective: "Beyond
service, one of the most significant
factors in fuel efficiency is the vehicle's cruising speed; for every 1 mileper-hour over 55 [mph], fuel economy is
reduced by about 0.1 miles-per-gallon,"
says Paccar's Sproull.
"It's important for fleets to evaluate
all contributing factors to improve fuel
economy and make productivity gains,
including driver style, tire pressure, idle
time, truck design, and more proactive
measures that could be incorporated
into a wider maintenance program,"
adds Petro Canada Lubricants' LeBlanc
Sr. "Finding fuel efficiency gains in
any of these areas can have a significant impact on a company's bottom
line and make a real difference to its
productivity."
"It will take more than one new
technology to meet future targets,
but there is an industry-wide push
to increase fuel efficiency from the
powertrain, chassis, and cab along
with the trailer," says VTNA's Moore.
"That will involve improvements such
as [higher gear] ratios, more downspeeding, idle reduction technology,
improved aerodynamics between
tractor and trailer, enhanced 6-by2 (axle) technology, lighter-weight
components, and low rolling-resistance tires that meet demands for
traction and longevity."

Conclusion

"The trucking industry has done a great
job of evolving over the years," says
Shell Lubricants' Arcy. "If we go back
30 years ago, it wasn't uncommon to see
a black plume of smoke from a truck.
Now you see nothing. We're putting out
less emissions, our engines are lasting
longer, and we're getting better fuel
economy. That's win-win-win."
Incremental advancements, and new
system functionalities and improvements have brought the industry to
where it is now and will continue to
push the development of new technologies moving forward. Change does not
happen all at once.

"Initially there will be many small changes to
improve friction, air management, and combustion
efficiency," suggests Paccar's Sproull. "Advanced
controls and even deeper powertrain integration
will also provide benefits. Further out, increased
electrification of major engine systems, advanced
turbocharging concepts, and faster combustion
are other technologies OE's may turn to [in order
to deliver increased performance and economy."

Proper specifications
are integral to the
optimized performance
of a vehicle's engine.

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October 2019 | VehicleServicePros.com

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Fleet Maintenance

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Fleet Maintenance