With a fleet to manage and a bottom line to protect, you don\u2019t always have time to research things like API CK-4 and FA-4 diesel engine oils. As we approach three years since the first license of new API Service Categories, it is important to highlight the most notable trends and opportunities available when using these modern oils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The number one factor in fuel efficiency isn\u2019t the condition\nof the truck; it\u2019s what\u2019s, or who, is sitting in the truck driver\u2019s seat. A\ntrained driver who\u2019s driving to maximize fuel efficiency can reduce a truck\u2019s\nfuel consumption by as much as 35% versus drivers with less skill. That\u2019s\nthousands of dollars a year per driver. A training program for your fleet could\neasily pay for itself in a matter of months with clear bottom line improvements\nfor your annual budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, there is so much more to it than the driving aptitude\nof your operators. You must consider technology, tires, trucks, and more. Let\u2019s\ndig a little deeper into each of the factors that govern your fuel-saving\nstrategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cost and Good Driving Habits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As we mentioned, good driving habits are probably number\none, but what do those include? Good driving habits include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since drivers are often the biggest \u201cX-factor\u201d in\nfuel-efficiency, establishing good driving habits with a fleet is imperative.\nAs we mentioned, proper training can make a huge difference, but so can a\nlittle common sense and focus on proper driving technique. Reviewing the basics\nwith your truck drivers on a regular basis can instill the proper habits in\ntheir day-to-day driving\u2014and your day-to-day fuel savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A truck driver can also increase fuel efficiency by limiting\nunnecessary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EPA also cites numerous factors that raise fuel costs,\nincluding: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fuel Efficiency and Driveline Design<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Rudolf Diesel first developed his engine, subsequent\ndesigners have tried to improve its efficiency. Those original diesel engines\nonly converted about 26% of the fuel into usable energy for the vehicle. By the\nearly 2010s, engine design had improved enough that they converted up to 44% of\nthat fuel for energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Heavy-duty diesel engine designs have become 6% more\nefficient from 2010 to 2017. Some engine manufacturers predict that they can\nreduce fuel consumption another 15% by 2030\u2014much higher than the EPA\u2019s\nguidelines for that timeframe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n More efficient engines, increasing popularity of automated\nmanual transmissions, improved cruise control systems, and idle reduction\nsystems have all combined to provide better fuel economy than ever. In a recent\ntrial conducted by NACFE, trucks in the test averaged better than 10 MPG\u2014a\nnumber that would have been unthinkable just a decade ago!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upgrading your fleet\u2019s tractors on an annual basis doesn\u2019t\nmake fiscal sense for most. That said, there comes a point where the cost\nsavings in fuel on a newer engine will offset or improve on the expense of\npurchasing that engine. Make an annual comparison of your fleet\u2019s fuel\nconsumption with that of the latest, most fuel-efficient engine\/transmission\ncombinations to know when a transition makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fuel Efficiency and Tires<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, a tire that has more surface area offers more\nrolling resistance. The more rolling resistance a truck needs to overcome, the\nmore fuel it takes to reach and maintain speed. This is especially important in\nthe drive and trailer positions, which account for more than 85% of rolling\nresistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Two main factors increase a tire\u2019s surface area regardless\nof positions: heavy loads and tire tread. And when it comes to tire tread,\nthere are a few things to consider: tread compound, tread design, and tread\ndepth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are often related to one another\u2014for instance, a\nsofter compound will decrease tread depth faster\u2014so they\u2019re all important\nfactors when selecting tires for your fleet. But they aren\u2019t the only factors\nthat can make tires more or less fuel efficient. Correct inflation pressure and\nproper alignment are both essential, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fuel Efficiency and Aerodynamics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Trucks are not sports cars. They\u2019re designed to haul heavy loads, not cut through wind. Because of that, there\u2019s only so much you can do to reduce the drag on the vehicles in your fleet. You want to do as much as possible, though, because this aerodynamic drag is the cause of more than half of a truck\u2019s fuel consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are four areas on a tractor-trailer where you should\nfocus your efforts in making them more aerodynamic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key is to combine these technologies for maximum fuel\nefficiency. By themselves they make a difference in fuel consumption. Together,\nthey can make a significant difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fuel Efficiency and Engine Oil<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like air resistance is an external factor that impacts\nhow hard your engine needs to work, engine oil is an internal factor on engine\nefficiency. Thicker, more viscous oils experience more internal fluid friction\nthus requiring more power\u2014and as a result, more fuel\u2014to cycle them through the\nengine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Today\u2019s engines run at higher temperatures due to higher\npower densities, improved aerodynamics, and modern emission systems. This\nincreases the need for enhanced thermal stability and oxidation control in your\noils. Further, these modern engines are designed to benefit from the use of a\nlower viscosity versus those from even ten or fifteen years ago. Every major\nNorth American engine builder has been factory filling with SAE 10W-30 for at\nleast the last 6 years (most use API CK-4 10W-30 with Detroit Diesel utilizing\nAPI FA-4 10W-30).<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your fleet still runs on SAE 15W-40, we recommend you\nconsider switching to API CK-4 10W-30 or FA-4 10W-30 diesel engine oils. CK-4\n10W-30 oils can provide about 1% fuel economy improvement versus 15W-40 while\nFA-4 10W-30 can provide 1.5% improvement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to note that API FA-4 oils must pass all the\nsame performance tests (at the same levels) as CK-4\u2014but with lower HTHS values.\nWhen two oils have the same kinematic viscosity (CK-4 10W-30 \/ FA-4 10W-30),\nthe one with the lower HTHS value (FA-4, by definition) will have lower\ninternal fluid friction which is what provides the fuel economy gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bottom Line on Fuel Savings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at every training opportunity, piece of equipment, and\nmaintenance upgrade to keep your fuel costs as low as possible. For the most\nfuel-efficient diesel engine oil, work with your local supplier. During that\nconversation, make sure to tell them about your typical duty cycles and\nmaintenance goals, so they can help you find the best balance for your specific\nequipment mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fact is, with business costs on the rise across so many\nsectors, can your fleet afford to not get the most out of your vehicles\u2019 fuel\neconomy? Likely not. And with technology, oil standards, and so much more\nserving as aids in your attempts to get the most out of your fleet, there\nreally is no excuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One area where you can get the most out of your vehicle\u2019s fuel is with green technologies. While retrofitting trucks with fuel-saving specs can be a game-changer, going all the way to brand new can yield sizeable savings. Fleets can save a lot of money by upgrading old, fuel-slurping trucks. There are a lot of advantages to having a fuel-sipping fleet, with saving money being just one of the big ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to reducing fuel spend, it should be more\nabout controlling the gallons than the cost of fuel. The cost will be what it\nis, whether you buy fuel wholesale or retail. Now you just need to take these\nfactors into account and turn your fleet into a fuel-saving masterpiece!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"