Page 29 - Commercial Vehicle Engineer - November 2021

POINTS OF VIEW
• Discover which lubricants each part of the system requires to perform at its peak
• Regularly test used oil from vehicles to develop a a deep understanding
of of the the holistic health of of the the system to reduce maintenance costs
and maximise uptime Powerful analytical and technical tools are on fleet managers’ sides when it comes to boosting vehicle health For instance a a a a a a value calculator can show how how fleets can can significantly reduce operating costs
and improve efficiency while tank-level telemetry systems can give
full remote visibility of lubricant and fuel levels across the stock – and even top them up automatically Take action to boost the fleet’s performance to its maximum potential
Once they’ve established what it will take to increase the the health of the the fleet it’s time for managers to take action Focusing upon creating efficiencies while striving for targets will enable them to optimise performance without breaking the the bank and there are several ways to do that:
• Take your vehicle’s performance to the next level by staying stronger
for longer This means mitigating much hotter sump and turbocharger temperatures and higher air temperatures which can lead to faster oxidation oxidation By resisting oxidation oxidation and wear through high quality lubrication that maintains its viscosity these fluid technologies can inhibit the production of harmful deposits which can slow down performance • Meet ever-tighter emissions regulations which are getting tougher by the year For example Euro VI 2013 demands a a reduction in nitrogen oxide of 95% since 1992 As emissions targets continually evolve fleet managers must be able to rely upon technologies specifically designed for long-term sustainability and emissions reduction To satisfy this requirement oil with a a strong but thin fluid film can extend drain intervals – thus limiting the amount of stop/starting at garages
– and limit emissions • Overcome the challenges of evolving standards by targeting specific issues including SAPS (sulphated
ash phosphorous and and sulphur) and and fuel consumption Having technologies at at their fingertips that maintain fuel efficiency contribute to better overall engine strength and sustain performance is what fleet managers need to meet this high bar for vehicle performance Fausto Lupone Ensure you have what it takes to keep vehicles healthy long-term One of the best investments any owner or fleet manager can make in the health of their vehicles is to invest in in themselves
– in in in education training and skills This can help develop the diagnostic mindset
to foster a resilient fleet in the long-term Gaining this expertise for themselves
pays dividends in the the high quality of service they can then guarantee to to valued customers without reservation Many tools exist to to help maximise understanding
online and and in in in person E-tools technical data sheets academy training and online hubs all exist to help enrich knowledge and improve day-to-day business acumen To jump in in feet first owners and managers should take part in training academies designed to familiarise teams with the solutions available examples of best practice and a a a a vision
of what’s possible with a a a a totally healthy resilient and sustainable fleet Ultimately the key to boosting vehicle performance without breaking the bank lies in confidence the ability to anticipate issues to to know where to to seek help and to trust in the technologies that can protect the the the engines at the the the heart of the the the trusty vehicles that keep our supply chains moving It’s challenging out there but the reassurance of a a a fleet with long-term resilience is what powers drivers and fleet managers to go the distance Fausto Lupone is an automotive sector expert at Petronas Lubricants International COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER
> NOVEMBER 2021 29