{"id":14145,"date":"2025-06-09T10:11:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T08:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=14145"},"modified":"2025-06-09T10:12:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T08:12:06","slug":"propane-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2025\/06\/09\/propane-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Propane Autogas: Debunking the Maintenance Myths"},"content":{"rendered":"

Modern propane autogas engines are designed to mirror gasoline engines, using many of the same diagnostic tools, service equipment, and repair protocols.<\/span><\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: The following article was submitted by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and reflects its perspective on propane autogas as a fleet fuel solution. The views and claims presented are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Automotive Fleet.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

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Have you heard that alternative fuel vehicles are difficult and expensive to maintain? That may be true for some energy sources, but not all of them are created equal. For many fleet owners, making the switch from traditional fuels to propane autogas results in lower fuel and maintenance costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

While outdated myths like this still circulate about the complexity or serviceability of alternative fuel vehicles, the reality is that propane autogas is easy to maintain, simple to learn, and it can save fleet owners money. Here are the top misconceptions and the facts that prove why propane autogas continues to gain traction among fleet owners.<\/span><\/p>\n

Myth #1: Propane Autogas Maintenance is Complicated\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The truth is, propane autogas<\/a> maintenance isn\u2019t much different from gasoline and is much simpler than diesel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gasoline can degrade over time and create buildup that can contribute to premature wear of engine parts. It also leaves behind more carbon deposits, which can affect performance and longevity. Meanwhile, diesel engines have become increasingly complex due to emissions regulations and complex aftermarket treatment systems. These vehicles rely on diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to remain compliant. Both components are costly to maintain and can contribute to significant downtime when issues arise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Propane autogas eliminates both concerns. It is a clean energy source that doesn\u2019t degrade engine components<\/a> or require additional fluids or filters, exhaust after-treatment, particulate trap systems, turbochargers, intercoolers, or regeneration. Because of this, propane autogas engines experience less carbon buildup on valves and fewer residual contaminants in the oil, resulting in cleaner operation and, in some cases, longer engine life.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a less complex engine system and a cleaner emissions profile, propane autogas vehicles<\/a> offer lower maintenance costs. It\u2019s one of the reasons propane autogas consistently delivers the lowest total cost-of-ownership of any fuel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Myth #2: Special Facilities Are Required for Maintenance<\/span><\/h2>\n

Another common misconception is that propane autogas vehicles require special modifications to service garages. While that is true for some alternative fuels like CNG, if existing buildings are code compliant for diesel and gasoline, typically there are no major modifications required for the maintenance and repairs of propane autogas vehicles.\u00a0Ventilation may be required if the facility is equipped with a pit used for maintenance, under vehicle inspections, and repairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Facility managers should always confirm requirements with their local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), but in most cases, there\u2019s no need for costly facility upgrades. AHJ\u2019s can assist fleets and define the code requirements, if any, for ventilation, gas detection, sources of ignition, and electrical requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Myth #3: It\u2019s Hard to Find Trained Technicians<\/a> or Learn Propane Maintenance<\/span><\/h2>\n

Another persistent myth is that it\u2019s difficult to find qualified technicians or train in-house teams to work on propane autogas vehicles. The truth is, propane autogas is one of the most approachable alternative fuels for fleet maintenance, and service technicians can be trained in just a few hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Modern propane autogas engines are designed to mirror gasoline engines, using many of the same diagnostic tools, service equipment, and repair protocols. For technicians already experienced with internal combustion engines, the transition is simple and intuitive. Fleet owners interested in training in-house technicians can access in-person or online training resources \u2014 many of them free or low-cost \u2014 through propane autogas engine manufacturers or the Propane Education & Research Council<\/a> (PERC). Trade schools and technical programs can also participate in PERC\u2019s Vehicle Inspection Grant Program which provides curriculum resources to help train the next generation of skilled propane autogas technicians.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is also a wide and growing service network of trained technicians from coast to coast ready to service propane autogas vehicles in local shops. OEMs and fuel system providers offer hundreds of certified service locations across North America.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether outsourcing or keeping service in-house, fleet owners have easy access to the tools, training, and support needed to keep their propane vehicles running smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Real-World Results: McAbee Trucking<\/span><\/h2>\n

McAbee Trucking, Inc., a mail carrier serving the USPS, operates a fleet of propane-powered box trucks across North and South Carolina. Prior to propane autogas, the company operated several diesel vehicles that racked up high maintenance costs to fix expensive regeneration issues tied to diesel emission systems. By replacing diesel with propane autogas, McAbee eliminated those extra maintenance costs and now saves thousands of dollars each year. In fact, the regeneration issues were so costly that owner, Lisa McAbee, estimates she could have purchased three propane vehicles with the money spent on diesel engine repairs over just 18 months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to lowering maintenance costs, the company has also maintained its 99 percent on-time dispatch rate. McAbee said she\u2019s found the propane vehicles are not only reliable, but easier to manage from a maintenance standpoint.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne thing I\u2019m grateful for with propane \u2014 I\u2019ve had a couple breakdowns with the diesel regen systems. Sometimes the truck had to sit there for an hour. And an hour on a schedule is not good. With propane, I don\u2019t have that issue,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n

The myth that propane autogas is difficult to maintain doesn\u2019t match the reality. As more fleet owners make the switch, they\u2019re finding fewer breakdowns, simpler service routines, and lower overall operating costs. It\u2019s all backed by a nationwide network of support and opportunities for technicians to learn more. For fleet managers looking to streamline maintenance and boost efficiency, propane autogas is a proven solution. To learn more about technician training, service options, and how propane autogas can support your fleet, visit\u00a0Propane.com\/Fleet-Vehicles<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joel Stutheit is the senior manager of autogas business development at the Propane Education & Research Council. He can be reached at joel.stutheit@propane.com. For more information, visit Propane.com.<\/span>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0By Joel Stutheit<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: https:\/\/www.automotive-fleet.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Modern propane autogas engines are designed to mirror gasoline engines, using many of the same diagnostic tools, service equipment, and repair protocols. Editor\u2019s note: The following article was submitted by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and reflects its perspective on propane autogas as a fleet fuel solution. The views and claims presented are…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":14146,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[228],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14145"}],"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=14145"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14148,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14145\/revisions\/14148"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14146"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}