RESULTS FROM THE FOURTH YEAR OF OPERATION OF THE FEDERAL METHANOL FLEET AT ALWRENCE BERKELEY LABORATORY

Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory has completed a fourth year of operation of five methanol vehicles for the Federal Methanol Fleet Project. Five comparable gasoline vehicles were involved in the project for the first three years, but were retired at the end of the third year. Approximately 25,000 miles were accumulated on the five methanol vehicles during the fourth year bringing the ten car total for all four years to nearly 310,000 miles. Fuel economy of the methanol vehicles was about the same as on previous years, while drivers' ratings of ease of starting and and driveability declined. The cars required more frequent maintenance than in previous years, and the accumulation rates of wear metals in the engine oil continued to decline.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted.
• Corporate Authors:

  Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  P. O. Box 2008
  Oak Ridge, TN  United States  37831
• Authors:
  • WEST, B H
  • McGill, R N
  • Hillis, S L
• Publication Date: 1990-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 32 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Driveability; Engine oils; Fuel conservation; Maintenance; Maintenance management; Methanol; Needs assessment; Vehicle starting
• Uncontrolled Terms: Starting
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00604231
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: ORNL/TM-11590
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 28 1991 12:00AM