Learn how tire selection and technologies can make a difference in fuel economy for trucking fleets, as well as tactics to share with your customers. Prepared for Navistar by Continental Commercial Vehicle Tires.

1. FUEL FACTORS FOR
FLEETS
How Fuel Trumps Mileage –
Every Time

2. What Is Fuel To You?
• Your Largest Cost after Salaries
• Equal to Salaries at $3.29/gallon
• Lost Expense in Surcharges: Large
Fleets not recovering full costs

3. What Does Fuel Really Cost?
• Fifty Truck Fleet achieving 6.0 MPG
• Prices of diesel - $3.00/gallon
• Assumes 130,000 miles per year
• Your fleet spends $61,280 per truck
• $3,064,000 in fuel per year
• Decrease fuel economy to 5.6 MPG
= You now pay $65,640 per truck
and $3,282,000 per year Diesel prices leveling –
– That’s an additional: but when will it rise
• $4,360 for each truck again?
• $218,000 for your fleet

4. OK, fuel is important but…
HOW FLEETS CHANGE FUEL
ECONOMY?

5. SAE Factors Affecting
Fuel Economy
• Controllable:
– Speed
– Inflation
– Air Resistance
– Tire Rolling Resistance
– Load
– Drive Line Friction
• Not Controllable:
– Road Surface
– Ambient Temperature
– Terrain

6. The Cost Of Speed-
Controllable Factor
75
70
3.6
65
4.4 MPG MPG
26% 40%
5.5 MPG Loss Loss
60 8%
Loss
6 MPG
Source: Paccar/Kenworth

7. Inflation - Controllable Factor
• 90% of tire failures stem
from improper inflation You spend
1% more on
fuel
• “Tire tread wears 9 -16
percent faster for every
10 percent a tire is
below its fleet specified With every 10
pressure.” - TMC PSI of
underinflation!

8. Inflation in the Real World
Continental study
80
80
60
60
40
40
20
20 0
too high
zu hoch ok
i.O. zutoo low
niedrig
0 >10% >10%
too high ok too low
zu hoch i.O. zu niedrig
>10% >10%
30% of power units 40% of trailers are
are running too low! running too low!

9. Inflation Effects
Increased deformation:
= increased fuel
consumption
= increased stress
Inflation pressure 130% Inflation pressure 100% Inflation pressure 70%
Overinflation vs. load Correct value Underinflation / overload

10. Controllable Factors: Once the easiest factors (speed and inflation) are
controlled, we have to account for driving resistance factors.
DRIVING RESISTANCE FACTORS

11. Driving resistance - Impact on
fuel consumption
Driving power = Driving resistance (aerodynamic,
acceleration, uphill and rolling) x speed

12. Driving resistance - Impact on
fuel consumption
35
%
At average fleet operating conditions – between rural and highway operations
– rolling resistance accounts for about 35% of fuel consumption.

13. Aerodynamics – Controllable Factor
• 20% better fuel economy
• Aerodynamic truck vs. no aerodynamic devices
• 5-10%
• Adding full roof flairing when pulling a van trailer
• 2-4%
• Adding options such as side extender flairing and chassis flairing
• 1-2%
• Using under hood air cleaners vs. cowl mounted air cleaners
• 1-2.5%
• Using proper fifth wheel settings at an optimal 38” trailer gap

14. Controllable Factors
TIRE ROLLING RESISTANCE

15. Rolling Resistance Effect on Fuel
Steer Drive Trailer
Axle: Axle: Axle:
15% 42.5% 42.5%
of RR of RR of RR

16. FUEL FACTORS THE FLEET CAN
CHANGE

17. Recommendations: Common
Sense Maintenance
• Inflation
– Twice Monthly Airing /Inflate Trailers/Flat Checks
– FMCSA Roadside Survey: only 44% of all tires are within 5PSI of their
target inflation
– 12% of tires of surveyed tires are in danger of premature failure
– Properly Inflated Tires:
• Wear more evenly and at a slower rate
• Ten PSI below recommended pressure costs 1% in fuel economy
• Fleet inflation programs reduce road calls
• Fuel Efficient Tires and Retreads
• Alignments/VAI
• Matching of Tires
• Management Commitment

18. Recommendations:
Common Sense Driving
• Review Speeds: 70mph to 67mph saves 5%
– Use the cruise control
– Optimal RPM for the Engine
• Reduce Idling
• Fleet Top Fuel Performers Driver training
• Driver Training TMC
• Driver Incentives (Speed Bonuses, MPG
Average)
• Progressive shifting/ Staying in High Gear

19. Avoid These Fuel Wasters
• Excessive Speed
• Stop-and Go Driving Style
• Under Inflated Tires (10% Under =1% Loss)
• Long Idling periods over 5 minutes
• Misalignment
• Open Windows (Loss is 4%)
• Running A/C
• Mismatched Tires
• Fuel Inefficient Tires
• Idling

20. For More Information
• Mathew Rutledge
• Key Account Manager, Navistar
• mat.rutledge@conti-na.com