Does Vehicle Experimental Testing give a Reliable Idea of the Behavior of the Vehicle when Driven by the Customer?

Automobile manufacturers perform predictive studies and tests to ensure - right from the design stage - that new products will meet the necessary reliability requirements when they are commercialized. The following paper deals with the definition of the corresponding test requirements.

We aim at:

• calculating expected reliability under actual operating conditions, using reliability measured during the test as a base, and applying the neccesary design modifications resulting from comparisons between the tests and our objectives,
• creating rules, methods and technical testing procedures that are quick, provide good examples of reliability, and are applicable to external suppliers.

To attain these objectives, it is necessary to first define a method for measuring the relationship between testing conditions and actual service conditions. We can establish such a relationship either by comparing failures or by measuring stresses.

The results obtained by Renault reveal the existence of a relationship that varies with the vehicle part (the engine, gear-box or car frame) and the type of vehicle; a study of each case is warranted.

Our comments follow, along with comparisons between the resulting testing techniques and the consequences quick and representative tests have on research.