|
XADO-SAE J-1321 Testing Completed
May 29, 2008
CLAUDE TRAVIS AND ASSOCIATES, LLC.
FLEET CONSULTANTS
2550 Holtman Dr. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Claude J. Travis office 616-364-0869
Scott C. Travis Sr. cell 616-901-9034
April 22, 2008
The Effect of XADO Metal Conditioner on the Fuel
Consumption of a Class VIII Tractor-Trailer Combination
Vehicle
CONDUCTED BY: PREPARED FOR:
Claude Travis and Associates XADO America, LLC.
2550 Holtman Drive N.E. 3006 South Seneca
Grand Rapids, MI 49525 Wichita, KS 67217
OBJECTIVE:
This test series was conducted to determine the effect on
fuel economy when XADO Metal Conditioner was blended with
the engine oil of a Class VIII tractor-trailer combination
vehicle.
TEST VEHICLES:
Both vehicles were mechanically identical and are further
described in detail in the full report.
Mileage odometer readings, before the test began, were as
follows:
Unit 61559 at 246,029 miles and unit 61560 at 183,202
miles.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
In the terms of SAE Procedure J1321, test results were as
follows:
Test Series No. Test Speed % Fuel Saved % Improvement
1 62 mph 2.02 % 2.06 %
CUMMINS ENGINE CO. DYNAMOMETER TEST RESULTS:
Test Vehicle
61560
Blow-By Test
Jan. Apr. %
14" 12" 14.3%
Horsepower Test
Jan. Apr %
374 380 1.6%
Control Vehicle
61559 8" 8" 0% 398 396 -.5%
CONCLUSION:
The installation of XADO Metal Conditioner in the diesel
engine used to power the test vehicles demonstrated a
significant improvement in fuel economy. XADO Metal
Conditioner used in this test series also resulted in an
increase of horse power coupled with a marked reduction in
engine "blow-by", which will contribute to increased engine
miles to overhaul.
REPORT PREPARED BY: Claude J. Travis April 22, 2008
THE EFFECT OF XADO METAL CONDITIONER
ON THE FUEL CONSUMPTION
OF A CLASS VIII TRACTOR-TRAILER
COMBINATION VEHICLE
Conducted By:
CLAUDE TRAVIS AND ASSOCIATES
Fleet Consultants
Report prepared by:
CLAUDE J. TRAVIS
Date:
Type of report:
Prepared for:
April 22, 2008
Final
XADO America, LLC.
3006 South Seneca
Wichita, KS 67217
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE
This test series was conducted to determine the effect on
fuel economy when XADO Metal Conditioner was used in the
oil to lubricate the engines of Class VIII tractor-trailer
combination vehicles.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
In the terms of SAE Procedure J1321, test results were as
follows:
Test # Tractor # Test Speed %Fuel Saved %Improvement
61560 62 mph 2.02 % 2.06%
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Title Page
Abstract
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction 1
2.0 Objective 1
3.0 Approach 1
4.0 Test Procedure 1
5.0 Test Course 3
6.0 Test Vehicles 4
7.0 Test Fuel 6
8.0 Fuel Saving Device 7
9.0 Instrumentation 7
10.0 Test Results 8
11.0 Summary 9
12.0 Conclusion 11
APPENDICIES
I SAE J1321 Test Procedure
II Raw Data Reduction Forms
III Vehicle Weights
IV Chassis Dynamometer Test Results
V Official Weather Data
1.0
INTRODUCTION
The fuel economy tests described herein were performed by
Claude Travis and Associates, Fleet Consultants, 2550
Holtman Drive N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525.
2.0
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the test was to measure the difference in
fuel consumption when operating a Class VIII
tractor-trailer combination vehicle with and without the
engine oil being blended with XADO Metal
Conditioner. The objective of tests 2 & 3 was to
demonstrate repeatability.
3.0
APPROACH The fuel economy procedure performed was the
TMC/SAE Fuel Consumption Test Procedure Type II, SAE J1321.
The test data was obtained using the gravimetric fuel tank
weigh method.
4.0
Test Procedure
The test procedure is found in SAE J1321. Modifications
were required. See 4.5
4.1 All vehicles operated with lights on and windshield
wipers off.
4.2 All windows were closed, or open equal amounts.
4.3 Portable fuel tanks were positioned identically on both
vehicles, above the frame rails & behind the cab.
4.4 Cab heater fan motors were used in position one (low)
during the entire test period. Air conditioners were not
operational and engine cooling fan hubs were blocked in
"on" position on both trucks.
4.5 The test product specifications required that the
blending of XADO Metal Conditioner with the engine oil be
at the completion of the baseline segment of SAE J1321 and
be used for 10,000 miles on the test tractor. To accomplish
this within a reasonable degree of cost control
the test tractor, the control tractor, and the two trailers
used in the baseline segment were returned to revenue
service until the near 10,000 mile requirement was
accomplished.
J1321-4.8 in part states "no change is made to vehicle C
(the control vehicle) for the duration of the test. Vehicle
C must remain the same vehicle, without change, and used
for test purpose only ---." "If trailers are used, the
trailers and loads are set aside, unchanged, for the
duration of the test." To meet the spirit and intention of
4.8, the tractors were both tested on a Cummins dealership
chassis dynamometer
before the baseline segment and after the test segment. The
technician operating the chassis dynamometer both times was
the same person and the results showed that there was no
change in the operation of the control tractor. To further
satisfy the need to know that the control tractor had not
been changed an inspection of the maintenance records was
made and disclosed that nothing was required or
accomplished that would change the performance of the
control tractor.
The two test trailers were unloaded and made available for
rental, however, were not used. When reloaded for the test
segment, the same loads were obtained and positioned
exactly the same as they were during the baseline segment
test runs. See Vehicle Weights - Appendix III.
5.0 TEST COURSE
The facility utilized for the conduct of the test was a 58
mile section of US 131, north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. A
south bound side rest area was the start and stop point.
Weighing portable tanks and refueling was also done at this
point. The highway follows a general course north and south
and consists of rolling grades that do not require gear
changes. The southern turn around was at mile post 131 and
consisted of an off ramp and stop sign, overpass and an on
ramp. The northern turn around was mile post 159, and
consisted of an off ramp, stop sign, overpass and an on
ramp. Any traffic delays at stop signs were timed in
seconds, with engines at idle, and subtracted from a
scheduled 60 second idle period at the end of each test
run. The rest area where the start/stop point was located
was at mile post 137, near Big Rapids, Michigan.
6.0 TEST VEHICLES
6.1 Unit 61559, was a 3 axle International Model 9400I
tandem drive truck tractor. The vehicle was powered by a
Cummins ISX 435 HP engine through a Eaton Fuller 10 speed
transmission and Rockwell RP 40-145 differential. This
tractor was coupled to a 50' X 102” van semi-trailer, unit
number 71354. The trailer was ballasted with bagged and
palletized cement and the combination vehicle weighed
67,800 lbs. This vehicle was designated the control unit.
Units 61560/72957 was designated the test vehicle and was
identical to the combination vehicle described above and
weighed 67,360 lbs. Both vehicles are owned by Star Truck
Rental of Grand Rapids, Michigan. See Appendix III.
6.2 Maintenance
The test vehicles were inspected and records were reviewed.
It was determined that incremental preventive maintenance
services had been performed as scheduled and the work had
been executed properly. Tires were checked and pressure was
adjusted as specified by the Star Truck Rental schedule.
The trucks were dynamometer tested by the Cummins dealer
and road tested and it was determined that all systems
performed as intended and that approximately equal power
was delivered to the drive wheels of each truck. Axle
alignment was checked and found to be correct and when
released, brakes were without shoe to drum contact (drag).
6.3
Preparation
After maintenance, the vehicles were ballasted with bagged
and palletized cement. (See Section 6.1 for vehicle test
weights). The trucks were prepared for the installation of
the portable fuel tanks by the application of additional
fuel lines as required. When complete, the engines received
fuel from and returned fuel to the portable tanks. The
portable tanks were connected by quick disconnect fittings
with positive shutoffs. Tires were gauge checked for
pressure maintenance. Engine lubricating oil was 10W-40
mineral oil and was at the proper volume during the test
series. Transmission and differentials were lubricated by
synthetic oils and were found to be at proper volumes. Air
conditioner and defroster switches were put in the "off"
position. Drivers were instructed not to use these
components.
7.0
TEST FUEL
Fuel was purchased at Star Truck Rental in Grand Rapids.
Care was taken to insure that the test was started and
completed using the same fuel. Diesel #2 was used
throughout the series and was stored in drums on a support
vehicle. A sample of fuel will be retained for 120 days for
analysis if requested.
8.0 FUEL SAVING DEVICE
8.1 The test was to determine the fuel economy of XADO
Ceramic Metal Conditioner when added to the engine
lubricating oil in the diesel engine of a Class VIII motor
vehicle. XADO Metal Conditioner transforms a metal surface
into a ceramic-metal bond which hardens and smoothes the
surface, reducing friction.
9.0 INSTRUMENTATION
9.1 Gravimetric Fuel Tanks
Gravimetric fuel tanks with a sixteen gallon capacity were
used for measuring fuel consumption. Two tanks were
assigned to each vehicle to avoid delay in tank
change-over. Prior to test start-up each tank was
purged, filled with test fuel and weighed. The tanks were
installed above the frame rails and behind the cab. Fuel
line connections were made with quick-disconnects for
convenience of installation and removal and to avoid
spillage.
9.2 Weigh Scale
A Champ Digital Bench Scale Model No. 300 calibrated to a
maximum resolution of 1:20000 was used for weighing the
gravimetric tanks before and after each test run. Weights
were recorded in pounds to 2 decimal places. The scale was
checked frequently with a calibrated weight to assure
accuracy, and zeroed before each weighing. The scale was
positioned inside a utility van trailer. The trailer doors
were closed when necessary to prevent the wind from
affecting the scale accuracy.
10.0 TEST RESULTS
SAE J 1321 / ATA-TMC Type II
Test Tractor Test Speed % Fuel Save % Improvement
1. 61560 62 mph 2.02% 2.06%
Cummins Engine Company Dynamometer Test Results
Blow By Test Horsepower Test
Test# Vehicle# Jan. Apr. % Jan. Apr. %
1. 61560 14" 12" 14.3% 374 380 1.6%
Control Vehicle
61559 8" 8" 0% 398 396 -.5%
10.1 Data Reduction
See Appendix II for data results.
The fuel consumption percentage of fuel savings and
percentage improvement are derived by following the
calculation methods outlined in Joint TMC/SAE Fuel
Consumption Test Procedures Type II, SAE J1321.
Properly conducted tests using portable tank weigh methods
are considered, based on test experience using long-haul
test routes, to have an overall accuracy within +-1% (for
example, 6% measured can
be from 5-7% actual difference.) See SAE J1321 10.2 Cummins
Dynamometer Test results. See Appendix III.
Appendix I.
11.0 SUMMARY
On Monday, January 7, 2008 two Star Truck Rental
truck-tractors were prepared for the fuel economy testing
of XADO Ceramic Conditioner for metal for operational
parameters and power output on the dynamometer at the
Cummins dealership in Grand Rapids, MI. It was determined
that both engines operated as intended by design. (see
Appendix IV for details).
Tractor 61560 was coupled to trailer 72957 and tractor
61559 was coupled to trailer 71354. The combination
vehicles were test driven, checked for alignment,
inspected, and brake tested. The trailers were loaded and
weighed. Tractor fuel tanks were disconnected and 16 gallon
fuel cells were installed.
On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, after a 2 hour warm-up at
highway speeds, control vehicle 61559/71354 and test
vehicle 61560/72957 ran a series of three baseline runs.
Baseline runs 1, 2 and 3 met the time & fuel consumption
constraints of the Test Procedure, fitting within a fuel
consumption "window" of 1%.
Both vehicles were returned to revenue service for a
product conditioning period. The trailers were not used.
The tractors were assigned to the daily rental fleet.
On Monday, April 7, 2008 each tractor and trailer was test
driven and inspected thoroughly and found to be
operationally the same as they were during the baseline
procedure. The trailers had logged no miles. The tractors
had logged miles as follows since the end of the baseline
segment:
61560 test vehicle XADO blended with oil 9191 mi.
61559 control vehicle 10W/40 mineral oil 22223 mi.
Maintenance records were searched for repairs made that
would have affected test results. None were found. The
trailers were reloaded the same as they were during the
baseline. A certified Cat scale recorded
the test segment weights to be 67,820 GVW for control
vehicle 61559/71354 and 67,460 GVW for test vehicle
61560/72957.
On Tuesday, April 8, 2008 a warm-up run at highway speeds
for 1 1/2 hours was made by vehicles 559/71354 and
560/72959 followed by 4 test segment runs. Runs 1, 2, and 4
fit the fuel consumption and time
"windows" required by the procedure. Run 3 fuel consumption
did not meet the 2% "window" requirement due to traffic
induced turbulence that affected both vehicles. The test of
tractor 61560 resulted in a 2.02% fuel saving and a 2.06%
improvement in fuel economy.
12.0 CONCLUSION
The blending of XADO Metal Conditioner with the engine oil
used in the engine that powered the test vehicle resulted
in a reduction of cylinder blow-by and an increase in
horsepower and demonstrated a significant and repeatable
improvement in fuel economy. Mission
To help our customers be in a position to act, not react, to the rising cost of fuel by providing them a variety of unique and economical vehicle performance solutions.
People have the desire to save money by burning less fuel, have better performance and less maintenance all while bettering the world we live in by producing less emissions...
At MPG Performance we provide Solutions!
Powered by WBEES
|
