A fleet can avoid unplanned service and costly repairs by checking all the fluids in its commercial vehicles with the newly improved FRAM Heavy Duty Fluid Analysis Program, described as a single source solution for fleet owners that tests everything from motor oil to coolant to hydraulic fluid. Honeywell International Inc., the maker of FRAM products, has partnered with Polaris Labs Inc., to offer its valued fleet customers a process for evaluating the condition of their vehicles fluids and to possibly help prevent costly engine failures.

Because of the nature of today’s operating environment, keeping a vehicle’s fluids at ideal conditions requires special monitoring at regular intervals. A proper schedule will decrease the downtime of each vehicle while increasing efficiency and performance. More importantly, it will keep a fleet in a “fix before failure” mode.

Starting this year, FRAM Fluid Analysis test labs are accessible to fleet owners by ground transit within 48 hours from anywhere within the continental United States. Customers simply purchase a test kit through their FRAM distributor, take a sample of the fluid indicated and submit the sample to FRAM for analysis.

The new online reporting software that the FRAM Analysis Program offers through Polaris Labs now provides access to test results via the Internet almost immediately after the processing is complete. Sample jar labels and component registration forms have been re-designed to increase the clarity and accuracy of the sample information submitted to the laboratory.

“The FRAM team is committed to helping business owners decrease fleet downtime,” said Rick Widden, vice president and general manager for Honeywell Consumer Products Group – Filtration and Ignition. “Through its relationship with Polaris Labs, the FRAM program will have data analysts available during regular business hours to answer questions and help customers understand their results. Plus our customers will be provided with recommended intervals for fluid monitoring.”

The FRAM Heavy Duty Fluid Analysis Program includes testing of the following fluids:

• Basic Oil – Monitor both the unit and the fluid for wear and contamination.
• Advanced Engine Oil – Receive a report of the total base number, total acid number and oxidation/nitration to determine if the oil is suitable for continued use.
• Diesel Fuel – Determine if the fuel is negatively affecting fuel filter life or engine performance.
• Coolant – Evaluate metal movement and corrosive attributes; pinpoint the source of combustion leaks, electrical ground problems, overheating and contamination.
• Hydraulic Fluid – Check fluid and system cleanliness for wear and contamination; monitor the particle count for systems that operate under close tolerances and particle quantifying for systems where the type of wear occurring is a concern.

“Our fluid analysis program is an excellent way to detect small problems before they become larger, and result in additional costs to the company,” Widden said. “This new system will allow owners/operators to spend less time worrying about maintenance and more time focusing on business objectives.”

For additional information, fleet owners/operators can log on to www.fram.com.