Dana to offer ‘downspeeding’ education, launches new synthetic gear oil

[kscarbel2]

Fleet Owner / February 16, 2015

Products optimized for engine downspeeding, along with additional drivetrain technologies aimed at increasing efficiency and fuel economy, will be the focus for Dana Holding Corp. at this week’s Technology & Maintenance Council's 2015 annual meeting.

With a goal of decreasing the total ownership costs of line-haul trucks and other heavy-duty, on-highway vehicles, Dana's solutions are designed to reduce vehicle weight and improve reliability, company representatives explained at a press event this week.

"With new, government-issued standards coming in 2016 for commercial vehicles, Dana offers technologies to improve fuel efficiency and optimize performance, helping manufacturers to meet these strict requirements without giving up power or performance," said Mark Wallace, executive vice president of Dana and group president of Dana On-Highway Driveline Technologies. "Our engineers are dedicated to establishing new benchmarks with a comprehensive range of innovations. Our line of products optimized for engine downspeeding is just one way we're helping fleet owners reach new levels of efficiency for their vehicles."

Among the highlights, a new training module will instruct dealers, fleet managers, and service personnel on engine downspeeding, an increasingly prevalent strategy for improving fuel efficiency.

The module is a computer-based course that instructs users on the basic principles, benefits, and challenges associated with engine downspeeding, according to Dana. The module provides a “one-stop source” for key drivetrain system knowledge, individual component specifications, literature, videos, images, service bulletins, and parts books. It also presents strategies for maintaining and servicing the Dana solution for engine downspeeding, which includes the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle, the SPL 350 driveshaft, and the SPL 250 inter-axle shaft.

The training will be available in the second quarter of 2015.

The company also announced the launch of Spicer XFE 75W-90 axle lubricant, an all-new synthetic gear oil designed to further improve fuel economy in high-efficiency drivetrain solutions while qualifying for an initial 500,000-mile drive axle lubrication change interval.

Spicer XFE 75W-90 axle lubricant is specifically formulated to improve drive axle efficiency in a variety of on-highway applications. Dana engineers have validated numerous performance benefits of Spicer XFE 75W-90 axle lubricant, including reduced friction and spin loss, a lower stabilization temperature, and more stable viscosity during operation.

Vehicle tests indicate that the use of this lubricant could enable additional fuel savings to result in a payback of typical purchase cost within six months when compared with currently approved synthetic axle lubricants.

[kscarbel2]

A little downspeeding saves a lot of money

Truck News / February 16, 2015

Dana took time at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s annual spring meeting to raise awareness about the benefits – and risks – of engine downspeeding.

Every 100 rpm reduction in engine speed translates to a 1% improvement in fuel economy, meaning there is significant savings to be had by spec’ing downsped powertrains, according to Steve Slesinski, global product planning, commercial vehicle driveline technology with Dana. However, reducing engine speeds and spec’ing faster rear axle ratios also places greater torque on downstream components such as the driveshaft.

Dana promotes a two-pronged approach to protecting against damage that can be caused by the extra torque generated by downsped powertrains: torque-limiting the engine and fortifying the drivetrain.

Slesinski said Dana has come out with products engineered specifically to perform with downsped powertrains. These include the Spicer AdvanTek 40 tandem axle, the SPL 350 driveshaft and the SPL 250 inter-axle shaft. Engine providers can set parameters that torque-limit the engine and reduce the risk of damage caused during low-speed maneuvering, however that won’t protect against high-cycle fatigue, Slesinski said.

While today’s downsped powertrains typically aim for a 1,150 rpm cruise speed, Slesinski said the trend is expected to continue.

“We think rpm is going to continue to go down because of the big benefit you have by improving the efficiency of the engine,” he said, noting cruise speeds of 900 rpm could be attainable in the near future. To this end, Dana is anticipating the need for products that can handle the demands of downspeeding without adding substantial cost and weight to the vehicle.

The company also has taken a leadership role in educating the industry about the benefits of downspeeding, through creation of a new online training module that will go live later this year. The program will help dealers, fleets, service managers and others understand the implications of downspeeding, Slesinski said.

Dana also launched a new drive axle lubricant designed for high-efficiency drivetrains. The all-synthetic Spicer XFE 75W-90 axle lubricant is designed to further reduce operating costs by as much as $730 over a five-year life-cycle. It also qualifies for a 500,000-mile service interval.

Combined with the AdvanTek 40 axle and an engine that is downsped by 200 rpm, a customer can achieve fuel savings of about $9,835 per vehicle over a five-year period based on US$4/gallon diesel prices.