{"id":10381,"date":"2021-03-22T16:37:17","date_gmt":"2021-03-22T15:37:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=10381"},"modified":"2021-03-22T16:37:17","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T15:37:17","slug":"aerodynamic-devices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/03\/22\/aerodynamic-devices\/","title":{"rendered":"Counteracting unintended consequences of aerodynamic devices"},"content":{"rendered":"

Though aerodynamic devices can be beneficial to increase a fleet\u2019s fuel efficiency, they also have the potential to cause problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Aerodynamic devices are tools fleets can use to reduce drag on their vehicles and increase fuel efficiency. But before fleets decide to add these devices, it is important they know some of the unintended additional maintenance that can be caused by aerodynamic devices. The Technology & Maintenance Council\u2019s (TMC) Recommended Practice (RP) 1110 \u2013 Inspection and Maintenance Recommendations for Aerodynamic Devices \u2013 covers four areas on a truck that could be impacted by the addition of an aerodynamic device.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drivetrains<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

The problem<\/span><\/h4>\n

Vehicles using aerodynamic products that obstruct air flow underneath the vehicle could direct air away from certain components that rely on it for cooling. This could increase the temperature of components such as the transmission, for example, reducing the lifespan of the gear, synchronizer, bearing, and seal.<\/span><\/p>\n

TMC\u2019s Recommendation<\/span><\/h4>\n

Many transmission suppliers recommend gear oils not be used in transmissions, so fleets should try using SAE 50 weight engine oils in the transmission instead \u2013 nothing more viscous. Additionally, fleets should consider spec\u2019ing oil coolers on tractors equipped with engines over 350 horsepower, as well as make sure the coolers are installed where they can work properly. Lastly, choose the appropriate viscosity grade gear oil or synthetic lube oil in drive axles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brakes<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

The problem<\/span><\/h4>\n
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With less wind resistance helping to slow it down, the brakes on a vehicle with aerodynamic devices absorb more energy, meaning there are more brake applications for the same amount of retardation and a higher brake operating temperature. Additionally, if the aerodynamic device reduces air flow over the brakes, this can shorten the life of brake components.<\/span><\/p>\n

TMC\u2019s Recommendation<\/span><\/h4>\n

Increased inspection of the brakes, as well as the potential adoption of retarders on very \u201caerodynamically clean\u201d tractors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cab structure<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

The problem<\/span><\/h4>\n

When installing aerodynamic devices, any places where the attachment hardware goes through the cab skin are potential areas for corrosion development. In time, these areas could also present fatigue cracks.<\/span><\/p>\n

TMC\u2019s Recommendation<\/span><\/h4>\n

Frequent visual inspections will help prevent major repair work from being required. Look for hairline cracks and corrosion at mounting bolt locations and repair any that are found according to the manufacturer\u2019s instructions for that cab material.<\/span><\/p>\n

Refrigeration units<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

The problem<\/span><\/h4>\n

Certain aerodynamic devices \u2013 full cab, roof-mounted air fairings and cab extenders particularly \u2013 can cause loss of refrigeration unit cooling because of heat drawn from the tractor. Occasionally, this will lead to a total unit shutdown.<\/span><\/p>\n

TMC\u2019s Recommendation<\/span><\/h4>\n

Managing the airflow in and around the refrigeration unit can improve its efficiency. For fleets in hot or humid areas, drivers should pay close attention to the vehicle\u2019s temperature. Additionally, fleets may need to install thermometers outside the trailer so they can be read during walk-around inspections or deliveries. TMC also recommends simple recording thermometers be installed on the front face of the trailer to track the temperature between the tractor and trailer. It should be noted that if that temperature reaches 100 degrees F, reduced cooling efficiency will result.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This article originally appeared on Fleet Maintenance<\/a>.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

By Emily Markham<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Source: https:\/\/www.fleetowner.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Though aerodynamic devices can be beneficial to increase a fleet\u2019s fuel efficiency, they also have the potential to cause problems. Aerodynamic devices are tools fleets can use to reduce drag on their vehicles and increase fuel efficiency. But before fleets decide to add these devices, it is important they know some of the unintended additional…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10382,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[275],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10381"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10381"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10381\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10383,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10381\/revisions\/10383"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}