What will be the impact of PC-11’s second category?
I just returned from making a presentation at the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) associated with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Indianapolis. This is the biggest event in the world for people who earn their livings racing. The general public is not allowed to attend. There I found that even racers and race engine
What new legislation could mean for light-, medium-duty vehicle technologies
Earlier in 2015, as part of a larger package of energy legislation, a bill introduced to fund research and development of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. At the end of the year, H.R. 4106, the Vehicle Innovation Act (VIA), was brought to the House of Representatives.
Can diesel prices stay this low?
From the beginning, people said it couldn’t last. The falling diesel fuel prices were bound to be temporary; fleets should not adjust their spending plans. There was every reason to think this was true—it had been years since diesel prices hit such a low. Then they kept falling and falling, and they stayed low for
Chevron to begin PC-11 public education campaign
In reaction to the news that the ASTM International’s Automotive Lubricants Subcommittee has approved the new Proposed Category 11 (PC-11) specifications for the next generation of heavy-duty diesel engine oils to be licensed on Dec. 1, 2016, Chevron Products Co. has begun a PC-11 public education campaign. The company says that the goal of the campaign is
Some thoughts on fuel economy
In this column, I want to discuss fuel economy (FE), in the hopes that I might give you a few ideas to experiment within your operation. Note that I said “experiment.” My experience has been that no matter what you hear or read, you need to check new ideas out in your operation. You need
Phillips 66 Lubricants adds two new heavy-duty synthetic transmission lubricants
Phillips 66 Lubricants has announced the addition of two new heavy-duty synthetic transmission lubricants to its Commercial product line—Triton Synthetic MTF and Kendall SHP Synthetic MTF. The new manual transmission fluids are full-synthetic, fuel-efficient transmission lubricants designed for use in heavy-duty commercial manual transmissions operating in extreme temperatures and extended service intervals. Both products are approved for
Volvo Trucks approves renewable diesel fuel for proprietary engines
Volvo Trucks North America, after concluding truck and engine lab testing, has approved the use of renewable diesel fuel for all of its proprietary Volvo engines. Volvo is the first OEM to endorse the use of advanced hydrocarbon renewable diesel fuel. “Environmental care is a core value of Volvo Trucks, and we are pleased to offer
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
The importance of oil filtration
Lube oil is one of those crucial aspects of truck engine life. It keeps the engine running by reducing friction, removes heat from the engine, and carries debris to the filters. Thus it makes sense that the engine’s filtration system would be similarly important. The filter prevents dirt, carbon, and metal particles from doing damage
The government and alternative energy
Isn’t it wonderful that we have both state and federal governments to do our thinking for us? I don’t know what I’d do without their help, but I would certainly like to find out. The Federal Department of Energy (DOE) recently released its second Quadrennial Technology Review. Amongst the political babble about how we are