This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Experience with a Vehicle Energy Audit Using Tire Pressure and Exhaust Gas Analysis
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
The Alberta Department of Energy has developed a four part Transportation Energy Audit program. The full program incorporates vehicle selection, route planning, driver training, and vehicle maintenance phases. This paper discusses the background and experience using the vehicle maintenance phase.
Vehicle maintenance condition is assessed using a simple inspection procedure based on tire pressure and tailpipe exhaust emissions at idle and fast-idle conditions. With these measurements, vehicles are ranked in order of maintenance condition and estimates are made of the potential fuel cost savings obtainable by improved maintenance. Tire under-inflation is converted to potential fuel cost savings using an equation based on tire rolling resistance properties, inflation pressure, and the relative importance of tire rolling resistance in total vehicle fuel consumption. Vehicle tailpipe emissions (for spark ignition engines only) are converted to potential fuel savings using an equation developed from EPA emission factor test data. The measured emissions are compared with an expected value from a set of tables which allows for vehicle type, model year, and accumulated mileage using accepted deterioration rates. This avoids discriminating unnecessarily against large, old, or high mileage vehicles while making a realistic estimate of potential for improvements.
When applied to fleets of similar vehicles, this procedure is a simple and cost effective way of showing fleet managers the relative condition of their vehicles. The fuel cost savings estimates help to quantify the benefits of improved maintenance and the trade-off against maintenance or repair costs. The paper discusses experience with application to vehicle fleets and to a general vehicle population at voluntary emissions clinics.
Recommended Content
Authors
Citation
MacLean, D. and Checkel, M., "Experience with a Vehicle Energy Audit Using Tire Pressure and Exhaust Gas Analysis," SAE Technical Paper 922386, 1992, https://doi.org/10.4271/922386.Also In
References
- Alberta Fleet Audit Service Helps Improve Fuel Efficiency Truck World November 1989 52
- Erkut E. MacLean D. Alberta Does Transportation Energy Audits Interfaces, accepted for publication 1991
- Erkut E. MacLean D. Multiple Vehicle Routing: Preprocessing with Cluster Analysis Research Papers in Management Science University of Alberta 1991
- Checkel M. D. Maintenance Effects on Light Duty Vehicle Fuel Economy: Algorithms from the Literature report for Alberta Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency Branch March 1986
- Checkel M. D. Temperature Effects on the Fuel Economy of Light Duty Gasoline Powered Vehicles report for the Alberta Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency Branch August 1986
- Checkel M. D. Maintenance Effects on the Fuel Economy of Light Duty Gasoline Powered Vehicles: Analysis of EPA Test Data report for the Alberta Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency Branch Aug. 1986
- EPA Gas Mileage Guide: EPA Economy Estimates
- Transport Canada Fuel Consumption Guide
- Thompson G. D. Reineman M. E. Tire Rolling Resistance and Vehicle Fuel Consumption SAE paper 810168 1981
- Sovran G. Bohn M.S. Formulae for the Tractive-Energy Requirements of Vehicles Driving the EPA Schedules SAE paper 810184 1981
- Atwood D.A. Williams R.D. A Canadian Survey of Automobile Tire Pressures, Tire Failures, and Tire Maintenance Practices SAE paper 810068 1981
- Viergutz O.J. Wakely H.G. Dowers L. Automobile In-Use Tire Inflation Survey SAE paper 780256 1978
- EPA Inspection/Maintenance Staff Effects of Inspection and Maintenance Programs on Fuel Economy U.S. EPA Technical Report IMS-001/FE-1 1979
- Brouillard E. Boucher D. Preliminary Analysis of the Effect of Tire Inflation Pressure on Passenger Car Tire Rolling Resistance Transport Canada Technical Memorandum TMVS 8402 1984
- Technical Services, Environmental Activities Staff Pocket Reference GM Technical Center Warren, MI March 1 1985 4B 5B
- Austin Thomas C. Husson Lee Design and Enforcement of I/M Programs for Maximum Effectiveness SAE paper 852108 1985
- Office of Mobile Sources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Supplement A to Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors, Volume II: Mobile Sources (AP-42, Supplement A) Ann Arbor, MI Jan. 1991 15 37 43 49 H-3 H-9 H-30 H-36 H-57 H-63 H-84 H90
- Sun Electric Corporation Sun 4170 Infrared Exhaust Analyzer Operator's Manual Crystal Lake, IL 1985 5