NASHVILLE. Products optimized for engine downspeeding, along with additional drivetrain technologies aimed at increasing efficiency and fuel economy, will be the focus for Dana Holding Corp. at this week’s Technology & Maintenance Council's 2015 annual meeting.
With a goal of decreasing the total ownership costs of line-haul trucks and other heavy-duty, on-highway vehicles, Dana's solutions are designed to reduce vehicle weight and improve reliability, company representatives explained at a press event this week.
"With new, government-issued standards coming in 2016 for commercial vehicles, Dana offers technologies to improve fuel efficiency and optimize performance, helping manufacturers to meet these strict requirements without giving up power or performance," said Mark Wallace, executive vice president of Dana and group president of Dana On-Highway Driveline Technologies. "Our engineers are dedicated to establishing new benchmarks with a comprehensive range of innovations. Our line of products optimized for engine downspeeding is just one way we're helping fleet owners reach new levels of efficiency for their vehicles."
Among the highlights, a new training module will instruct dealers, fleet managers, and service personnel on engine downspeeding, an increasingly prevalent strategy for improving fuel efficiency.
The module is a computer-based course that instructs users on the basic principles, benefits, and challenges associated with engine downspeeding, according to Dana. The module provides a “one-stop source” for key drivetrain system knowledge, individual component specifications, literature, videos, images, service bulletins, and parts books. It also presents strategies for maintaining and servicing the Dana solution for engine downspeeding, which includes the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle, the SPL 350 driveshaft, and the SPL 250 inter-axle shaft.
The training will be available in the second quarter of 2015.
The company also announced the launch of Spicer XFE 75W-90 axle lubricant, an all-new synthetic gear oil designed to further improve fuel economy in high-efficiency drivetrain solutions while qualifying for an initial 500,000-mile drive axle lubrication change interval.
Spicer XFE 75W-90 axle lubricant is specifically formulated to improve drive axle efficiency in a variety of on-highway applications. Dana engineers have validated numerous performance benefits of Spicer XFE 75W-90 axle lubricant, including reduced friction and spin loss, a lower stabilization temperature, and more stable viscosity during operation, the company said.
Vehicle tests indicate that the use of this lubricant could enable additional fuel savings to result in a payback of typical purchase cost within six months when compared with currently approved synthetic axle lubricants, according to Dana.
