Volvo initiates Fuelwatch program
32 Commercial Carrier Journal October 2008 Volvo offers Fuelwatch program `Comprehensive approach' needed, truck maker says V olvo Trucks North America unveiled its Fuelwatch initiative at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas to help fleet man-agers and truck operators achieve maximum fuel economy. Volvo says Fuelwatch is a comprehen-sive approach to get the most out of each gallon of fuel, encom-passing vehicle spec'ing, mainte-nance, performance monitoring and driver behavior. Fuelwatch is our way to bring Volvo's deep knowledge of fuel economy to customers in a way that delivers these benefits throughout the entire life and operation of their trucks, says Scott Kress, senior vice president of sales and marketing. A major element of Fuelwatch will be driver training. Beginning in early 2009, Volvo will have driver trainers in each of its five sales regions to work directly with fleets and their drivers to teach how to increase fuel economy. We know from our experience that even the best-spec'd and maintained truck can deliver poor fuel economy if the driver lacks the knowledge and training to use it efficiently, Kress says. The driver has the biggest impact good or bad on fuel economy. Fuelwatch has four major elements: Correct specifications. Before the truck is even built, its components and design are matched precisely to its intended application. Customers work with their Volvo Truck dealer and Volvo's Predictor software tool to select the most fuel-efficient spec for the job, taking into consideration terrain, desired cruis-ing speed, vehicle loading, application and other factors. The goal is to ensure the right combination of all drivetrain components, including gear and axle ratios, transmission and engine ratings to ensure optimal fuel economy, per-formance and productivity. Volvo's truck ordering system also helps select the most aerodynamic configuration for the truck. Maintenance for fuel savings. Without proper maintenance, wear and tear on the truck, over time, drags down fuel economy and raises costs. Volvo says Fuelwatch helps its customers keep up with scheduled preventive maintenance, which is critical for continued fuel economy. For example, Volvo says lack of proper attention to wheel alignment as well as fuel and cooling systems can reduce fuel efficiency up to 3 percent, while air system losses can result in a 4 percent fuel economy drop. Tire pressure sensors and the ability to repro-gram engine power ratings to match a change in application also contribute to More than two years and 1.6 million miles into the Two Million Mile Haul biodiesel fuel test, the National Biodiesel Board and its partners report comparable fuel economy, performance and cold weather characteristics as well as improved lubricity compared to con-ventional on-highway diesel fuel. A full report on the test results is expected in spring 2009. Bergstrom announced that its NITE System technology has received formal approval from the California Air Resources Board with the certification number 08-643-004. Navistar and Qualcomm announced an alliance to deliver Qualcomm's Mobile Computing Platform (MCP) installed on Navistar's trucks beginning in the fall. Under the agreement, Navistar dealers will resell Qualcomm's MCP throughout the United States. The companies say the collabora-tion will enable Navistar customers to purchase International brand trucks with the MCP installed by the dealer, making it easier to access Qualcomm's OmniVision Transportation services. Great Dane Trailers' 48-foot Freedom platform trailer now will be offered with Meritor's RSS Roll Stability Support system which helps prevent rollovers and CorroGuard spray-in-place thermoplastic elastomer coating that, when applied to suspensions and support gear, helps provide long-term protection from road abrasion and cor-rosion. Eaton now has pre-authorized warranty repair guidelines posted on in brief equipment (Continued on page 34) (Continued on page 34) Realizing that a comprehensive approach to fuel management pays the highest divi-dends to fleets led Volvo to launch its new Fuelwatch program. Driver training is amajor element.