Achieve optimum powertrain performance

Achieving optimum powertrain performance with proper service procedures

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established standards to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the heavy duty trucking industry. These new standards have resulted in manufacturers developing every aspect of a truck’s powertrain to achieve optimum fuel efficiency. Part of this development includes calibrating engines to transmissions to maintain optimum powertrain performance (see the diagram above).

The vehicle’s electronic control system is programmed with specific vehicle parameters and calibrations to achieve these standards. But if the mechanical components are not maintained in peak condition, this efficiency will fall off, resulting in a loss of fuel economy and increased GHG emissions.

All OEMs specify required service procedures to be performed at specified intervals to maintain the drive train in top operating condition. Some of these service procedures include:

1. Daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections;
2. Adjusting valves and engine brakes;
3. Changing engine oil, transmission oil, oil filters and fuel filters;
4. Changing intake air filters;
5. Inspecting and correcting intake and exhaust system leaks; and
6. Maintain cooling and aftertreatment systems in peak operating condition.

It’s vital to ensure the truck continues to meet EPA standards and reduce, if not eliminate, mechanical failures that may result in decreased fuel economy and increased GHG emissions.

The TruckSeries product from Mitchell 1 provides service personnel with the information and specifications required to keep these major components in peak operating condition.

This article was submitted by Mitchell 1 Commercial Vehicle Group Editor Julius Hairston, as part of Mitchell 1’s series of tech tips. For more, visit Mitchell 1’s website.

You May Also Like

Class 8 orders strong in February

Even when seasonally adjusted, ACT says preliminary order numbers for February are up 5% over January.

ACT-Class-8-Feb-truck-orders

According to the latest numbers from ACT Research, preliminary North America Class 8 net orders were 27,700 units, up 600 units from January and 16% from a year ago. With the fourth-largest seasonal factor of the year at 8%, seasonal adjustment reduces February’s Class 8 intake to 25,600 units, up 5% from January.

“Weak freight and carrier profitability fundamentals, and large carriers guiding to lower capex in 2024, would imply pressure in U.S. tractor, the North American Class 8 market’s largest segment,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “While we do not yet have the underlying detail for February order volumes, Class 8 demand continuing at high levels again this month suggests that U.S. buyers continue as strong market participants.”

Kenworth delivers 15-liter natural gas-powered truck to UPS

The truck is equipped with the Cummins X15N, which Kenworth says will meet CARB and EPA Requirements for both 2024 and 2027.

Kenworth-delivers-CNG-truck-to-UPS
ACT Research: 2024 could see trucking recovery

Despite trucking demand remaining weak, ACT Research says imports and international data indicate positive trends in 2024.

ACT-for-hire-index-Jan-24
Navistar progressing toward autonomous hub-to-hub transport

Autonomous truck testing is underway, and the company expects customer pilots to be delivered later this year.

Navistar-Autonomous-partnership-Plus-international-truck
FTR Trucking Conditions Index falls in December

FTR says the drop was mostly due to higher capital cost and a deterioration in freight rates, a trend that could stretch into 2024.

FTR-TCI-december-2023

Other Posts

How are natural gas truck engines different this time?

Cummins talks us through launch of the X15N engine and what fleets are saying about natural gas powertrains.

FE-Unscripted-Cummins-1400
Fullbay: Repair shop sales and labor rates rose in 2023

A new report shows that counter sales and labor rates rose significantly in 2023 from the previous year.

Fullbay-TMC
ACT Research: Trailer orders dip as cancellations climb

Preliminary data for net trailer orders in January seems to follow a continued softening trend, according to ACT Research.

ACT-Research-Trailer-Net-Orders-down-Cancellations-up-Jan-2024
Mitchell 1 collaborates with NEXIQ to streamline truck service diagnostic information

One subscription brings together information from the vehicle and information about the vehicle.

Mitchell-1-NEXIQ-TMC-1400