Kenworth and Peterbilt say customers will receive up to an estimated 1 percent fuel economy advantage when Paccar becomes the first company to make a new, full synthetic axle lube standard on its Class 5-8 models in the United States and Canada starting this summer, the truck makers announced Thursday, Aug. 21.
Kenworth will introduce Cognis Emgard FE 75W-90 into production at plants in Chillicothe, Ohio; Renton, Wash.; and Ste. Therese, Quebec. Peterbilt will introduce the product into production at its plants in Denton, Texas; Nashville, Tenn.; and Ste. Therese.
According to the companies, major advantages over conventional gear lubricants include better operating performance, increased gear life, extended drain and all-season lubrication, and reduced maintenance and downtime. The companies say the lubricant technology has been tested utilizing industry standards and “real world” fleet methodology, with results indicating up to a 1 percent fuel economy improvement, equivalent to about $900 annually (120,000 miles, 6.0 mpg baseline, $4.75/gal).
“Providing customers technological solutions that improve their business’ operating performance is essential in today’s economic climate, with managing fuel costs playing a critical role in the overall success of trucking companies,” says Larry Reding, assistant general manager of sales and marketing for Denton, Texas-based Peterbilt. “Peterbilt strives to provide the latest technologies to optimize fuel economy, and the Cognis synthetic lube helps customers offset rising and unstable fuel costs by providing end-users significant and quantifiable fuel savings.”
Cognis Emgard SAE 50 full synthetic transmission fluid is also standard fill on Kenworth Class 5-8 models and contributes to fuel economy and optimum component protection, the truck maker says. Both the synthetic axle lube and synthetic transmission fluid are available at Kenworth dealers.
“Fuel economy is extremely important to customers today, and an estimated gain of up to 1 percent in fuel efficiency can help produce significant annual savings for a truck fleet or owner-operator,” says Gary Moore, assistant general manager of marketing and sales for Kirkland, Wash.-based Kenworth.
