MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING COSTS - A NEW APPROACH TO AN OLD PROBLEM

Vehicle unladen weight, mechanical drag, and engine designed for economy are factors often overlooked when considering the operating efficiency of a transport fleet. It is claimed that a one ton reduction in unladen weight produces an improvement of one mile per gallon in fuel consumption. Multigrade engine oil and a transmission fluid offering reduced drag as well as anti-oxidation properties show an increase in fuel economy. A reduction in gearbox failure rate is also demonstrated. Prolonged full throttle operation of long distance coaches on motorways is uneconomical and has an adverse effect on engine life. It is estimated that 10 per cent savings in fuel consumption can be obtained by governing coach top speed to between 65 and 70 mile/h. Correct control of maintenance can reduce lost mileage by 50 per cent. This has been achieved by central documentation, fortnightly sampling and analysis of sump oil and the introduction of small fleet standards section to monitor vehicle condition at depots. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00203122
• Corporate Authors:

  Embankment Press Limited

  Building 59, GEC Estate, East Lane
  Wembley, Middlesex HA9 7TQ,   England 

  Embankment Press Limited

  Building 59, GEC Estate, East Lane
  Wembley, Middlesex HA9 7TQ,   England 
• Authors:
  • Cox, D A
• Publication Date: 1977-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 11-12
• Serial:
  • TRANSPORT ENGINEER
  • Publisher: Institute of Road Transport Engineeers
  • ISSN: 0020-3122

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Buses; Design; Drag; Durability; Engine oils; Fission; Fuel consumption; Inspection; Liquids; Maintenance; Maintenance management; Motor vehicles; Oils; Operating costs; Preventive maintenance; Speed; Transmissions; Trucks; Weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Maintenance costs
• Old TRIS Terms: Fission products
• ITRD Terms: 5492: Aerodynamics; 1272: Bus; 5910: Durability; 232: Fuel consumption; 6733: Liquid; 3847: Maintenance; 4961: Oil; 221: Operating costs; 5408: Speed; 1333: Transmission (veh); 1575: Vehicle inspection; 5485: Weight
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Motor Carriers; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I95: Vehicle Inspection; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00163842
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Analytic
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 27 1977 12:00AM