LIGHT TRUCKS DRIVE TOWARD EFFICIENCY

As with automobiles, trucks now have to meet a government-set corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) rating. DOT has decreed that 1980 light-duty trucks with two wheel drive must have a CAFE rating of 16 mpg (6.8 km/L). Four wheel drive vehicles must have a fleet average of 14 mpg (6. 0 Km/L). CAFE ratings apply to trucks up to 8500 lb (3859 kg) GVW. One significant feature shared by all 1980 domestic truck manufacturers is the use of part-time four wheel drive instead of the more energy consuming full-time 4WD system. According to some manufacturers, this alone can result in a 2 mpg increase over a full-time 4D system. Ford is the only domestic light-duty truck maker to adopt minor down-sizing for 1980, but without loss of cargo capacity or head and shoulder room. Ford has also introduced independent (patentied) front suspension for its four-wheel drive (4WD) light trucks. Chevrolet and GMC light trucks feature thermostatically controlled fans, torgue converter clutches on most automatic transmission applications and lower axle ratios. Alone among all domestic manufacturers of light trucks in offering an optional turbocharged diesel engine in this year's lineup is Intenational Harvester.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/31209162
• Corporate Authors:

  Automotive Industries International

  Chilton Way
  Radnor, PA  United States  19089
• Publication Date: 1979-11

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 38-43
• Serial:
  • Automotive Industries
  • Volume: 159
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: Randall Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 1099-4130
  • Serial URL: http://www.ai-online.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic transmissions; Delivery vehicles; Diesel engines; Economic efficiency; Four wheel drive; Fuel consumption; Light trucks; Pickup trucks; Suspensions; Turbochargers; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency
• Old TRIS Terms: Pickups; Turbocharging
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00324993
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineeing Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 15 1981 12:00AM