UPDATED: Rev up savings with heavy-duty downspeeding
Optimizing fleet efficiency with heavy-duty downspeeding for long-term success.
Truck powertrain downspeeding—how low can you go?
It’s been part of the specification vernacular for many years. As a powertrain-focused strategy for improving fuel economy, downspeeding has been of interest to fleets looking to lower fuel costs. For manufacturers, it is also a means of meeting efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions regulations. The concept itself is simple. With downspeeding, the rear axle
Let’s talk downspeeding: how it works
Any on-highway truck you spec today will likely employ downspeeding to some degree. Engine downspeeding is enabled through faster axle ratios that allow the engine to maintain a lower RPM—thus saving fuel—while still providing the necessary power to the axle. Axle ratio is written as a ratio, such as 2.16:1. But what does 2.16:1 mean?
The downspeeding lowdown
Remember that most modern powertrains utilize some degree of downspeeding. Here’s a quick refresher on downspeeding details.
Inside axle ratios: Detailing the range of downspeeding options
Any on-highway truck you spec today will likely employ downspeeding to some degree. The sources within this story all agree that the majority of trucks today are putting faster ratios on the road. It’s a trend being driven by increased powertrain innovation and integration, with automated manual and automatic transmissions playing a key role in
Dana announces next-generation driveshaft optimized for downspeeding
Dana Holding Corp. announced a new driveshaft specifically engineered to further support engine downspeeding. Dana’s next-generation driveshaft weighs 30 lbs. less than existing products and is tailored to address the specific torque-management strategies of individual commercial-vehicle manufacturers, the company explained. Engineered with fewer components, this next-generation driveshaft offers a simplified installation process to reduce assembly
Matchmaking and downspeeding
Choosing an engine, transmission and axles that are specifically matched to work together for optimum performance is a fast emerging trend. When I say “optimum performance,” I mean maximum fuel efficiency with the right horsepower engines, coupled with an automated manual transmission that shifts at exactly the right RPM, and an axle with the best
Dana training module focuses on engine downspeeding
Dana Holding Corp. announced a new training module designed to instruct dealers, fleet managers and service personnel on engine downspeeding, an increasingly prevalent strategy for improving fuel efficiency, at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2015 Annual Meeting. The module is a computer-based course that instructs users on the basic principles, benefits and challenges associated with
Diving into engine downspeeding
To improve efficiency of the powertrain, engine downspeeding can be achieved with either a 6×4 or 6×2 axle configuration. However, all the driveline components must work in concert to ensure proper performance. “Regardless of axle configuration, customers should always work with their OEM, engine rep and or axle rep to specify the correct drivetrain configuration
Dana whitepaper explains managing higher torques associated with engine downspeeding
Dana Holding Corp. published a white paper for the commercial trucking industry that addresses the need for fleets and OE manufacturers to properly manage the higher driveline torques that are resulting from the increasing use of more fuel-efficient downsped engines. Titled “The Right Solution for Downsped Engines,” the paper is free and can be downloaded