Diesel is a critically important petroleum product. But our reserves of crude oil are limited. What should we do? How do we meet the inevitable rise in prices, the possible shortages?
You, as a fleet operator, can help save diesel till an alternative source of energy is found.
We, at the Petroleum Conservation Research Association, have set up model depots in several Government Transport Undertakings where we have proved that it is possible to save about 20% of the diesel consumption in normal fleets and over 6% in even the best of fleets by concerted efforts. Broad approaches to diesel conservation have been clearly identified and their utility tested and proved in the model depot projects. Put these proven approaches to work in your fleet too, starting today.

Tests carried out with 100 drivers, relating diesel consumption to driving skills, have revealed that, if all the 100 drivers could drive as well as the best 5, fuel savings would be over 10%.

A careless driver may cover 1000 kms on 280 Liters of diesel; an efficient and alert driver would need only 250 Liters. A clear saving of 30 Liters in one trip!

Do you know that drivers often ignore the finer points of driving? Perhaps unknowingly. The result? More diesel consumption and less profits.

We at PCRA conduct training program for groups of drivers in major transport fleets. Our program have so far covered over 25000 drivers. The table below indicates the percentage of drivers in whom various driving flows were observed before training:

A good training program explains to drivers the effects of good and bad driving habits, and seeks to remove doubts about personal consequences, such as increase of travel time additional effort required. And so on. It also guides them on how to save diesel.

Some of the bad driving habits identified during Driver Training Programs:-

• Gear changing by single de-clutching or without use of clutch.
• Improper synchronization of gears and vehicle speed.
• Tendency to drive in top gear in congested city traffic.
• Switching off the engine while in gear.
• Unnecessary idling.
• Racing engine for removing crowd.
• Clutch riding.
• Delayed acceleration after shifting to higher gears.
• Poor anticipation of curves, road obstacles and sudden shifting to lower gears at high speeds.
• Tendency for over-speeding.
• Racing and longer travels in lower gear.
• Jack rabbit moving.
• Sudden and erratic acceleration.
• Delayed gear changing.
• Rash and rough driving.Poor anticipation of obstacles and sudden brake application.
• Negotiation of curves at high and

To train drivers in good driving habits and maintenance practices in order to develop a cadre of good drivers and thus to promote and propagate fuel conservation.

Field surveys conducted by us have revealed that there are a number of misconceptions among drivers about good and bad driving habits. More significantly, they were surprised at the extent of fuel savings possible through improved driving habits. Therefore, we have developed a training methodology, which enables the driver to see for himself the effect of good and bad driving habits on diesel consumption.

Day-1

• Selection of about 10 KMs long suitable route.
• Driving test for each driver to identify usual driving habits and diesel consumption from calibrated tank.

Day-2

• Class room session on good driving and maintenance practices.
• Analysis of driving habits of each driver.

Day-3

• Driving test for each driver as per the directions of instructor and diesel consumption from calibrated tank.
• Performance evaluation of drivers.
• Report preparations.

The program is best organized for a batch of 15-20 drivers. A suitable route covering city and moffusil traffic of a distance of 10 kms is chosen. A special Tank with 20 cms diameter And 60 CMS ht. Calibrated up to ¼ liter is used. The fuel supply to the engine is taken from this tank and the return lines go back into the tank.

The drivers are then asked to drive as per their usual driving habits, and see for themselves the quantity of diesel consumed. The instructor then explains to the group how good driving habits led to low diesel consumption for a few drivers and how bad driving habits led to high diesel consumption for other drivers.

The drivers are also shown two training films on diesel economy- “Driving for diesel economy” and “Fifteen points” (Maintenance for diesel economy) and slides specially developed for the program. Further, lectures re also given by the leading manufacturers and suppliers in the heavy vehicle segment.

The drivers are now taken on the same route again along with the instructor, who corrects driving mistakes as soon as they occur.

The average saving noticed on such program is 15% going up to even 40% in particularly bad cases. This generally serves as an eye-opener for most drivers and is remarkably effective in improving driving skills.

It would be a good idea to make an appraisal of the driving skills of your drivers. Calculate the average diesel consumed on the same routes by various drivers. Talk to the careless drivers to improve their driving habits. Give incentives or awards to good drivers. The results will be amazing!

Smoke is a visible indicator of poor engine performance. Traffic surveys at several traffic centers in the country have revealed that over 50% of our heavy commercial vehicles emit visible levels of smoke. A bus or a truck which visibly emits black or dark grey smoke, consumes nearly 10% more diesel. Some transport fleets which have implemented a program of elimination of visible smoke have recorded diesel saving of 10%, reduction of pollution apart.

A study was conducted on a fleet which had a program of rectifying smoking vehicles through maintenance. Injectors were found to be defective in 60% of the cases. Defective fuel injection pumps were responsible for smoke in 39% of the cases and poor engine compression was noticed in 21% of the cases. These are the three principal contributors to smoke. The maintenance of the fuel injection system and top engine overhaul on schedule will eliminate smoke in all vehicles. For a typical operator, the cost of repairs and maintenance will be recovered in a few days and at worst within six months, due to reduced diesel consumption.

PCRA conceived a research project and entrusted a study with Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) to estimate the average fuel loss per day due to idling of vehicles at all traffic intersections in Delhi. The study revealed that the petrol/diesel wasted by vehicles every day at traffic intersections in Delhi alone are to the tune of 3.22 lacs/1.01 lacs of Liters respectively. At the prevailing rates as of September 1999,the total loss of fuel works out to staggering amount of Rs. 320.22 crores per annum.

The major remedial measures suggested to reduce vehicular delays and consequent loss of petroleum products due to idling of vehicle:-

• Installation of vehicle actuated traffic signals.
• Optimization of signal cycle timings.
• Synchronization of traffic signals.
• Provision of adequate road geometric.
• Switching off engines at re lights.
• Observance of lane discipline.
• Following good driving habits.

Start a smoke elimination program today. If your vehicle emits smoke, check for the following defects, one after the other, and rectify them immediately.

1) Injection should be clean and efficient.

Defective injectors lead to higher diesel consumption. The opening pressure and spray pattern of an injector should always be correct. This can be checked on an injector tester. The injector must be cleaned properly with a brass-wire brush after soaking it in kerosene. Blocked spray holes should be cleaned with a steel wire, of correct diameter.

2) Check fuel injection pump calibration and mounting.

Get the pumps calibrated at a well-equipped center. It is equally important to ensure that the calibrated pump is mounting recommendations. This will ensure delivery of the right quantity of fuel at the right pressure and at the right time to each cylinder for combustion.

3) Check engine compression.

A weak engine may emit black smoke, show poor compression pressure on a compression tester or consume abnormal quantities of engine oil. If your engine exhibits any of these symptoms. Have it checked and overhauled. A top engine overhaul may be adequate in most cases. A delay can prove more costly than you may think. And precious diesel will keep going up in smoke.

2) Rotate the flywheel backwards so that the injection commences in the first cylinder as per the flywheel marking.

3) Mount the pump on the engine so that the markings match.

4) Remove the delivery valve holder of the first cylinder of the fuel injection pump from the drive-end and remove the delivery valve, pin, spring and peg.

5) Replace the delivery valve holder and connect a swan-neck pipe to it.

6) Feed clean fuel to the pump by gravity or by operating the feed pump hand primer, so that it overflows through the swan-neck pipe.

7) Lock the injection timer, wherever provided.

8) Precisely adjust the position of the pump so that the overflow is just out off.

9) Tighten the pump mounting nuts and re check spill cut off.

10) Remove the swan-neck pipe and assemble the delivery valve, pin spring and peg.

A mistake can mean improper timing of injection and wastage of diesel.

• Level of engine oil and radiator water.
• Leakage of diesel, lubricating oils or water.
• Tyre pressure and condition.
• Fan belt tension and condition.
• Free play of clutch and brake pedals.
• Engine oil pressure, ampere meter charging rate, air tank pressure and radiator water temperature.

• Ensure the gear lever is in neutral position.
• Depress clutch pedal to reduce load on starter motor and crank. ( Release clutch pedal after starting.)
• Release hand brake fully.
• Do not race engine. Start driving in low gears till water temperature reaches 65 C.

• Leakage in fuel lines.
• Under-inflated tyres.
• Self-starting problems.
• Poor pickup.
• Binding brakes.
• Black smoke.
• Tappet noise.

• To formulate strategies and promote measures for accelerating conservation of petroleum products.
• To create awareness among masses about the importance, benefits and methods of conserving petroleum products & clean environment by enhancing information and capacity building.
• To promote research, development and deployment efforts aimed at petroleum conservation & environment protection, support & facilitate efforts for adoption and dissemination of fuel efficient technologies and substitution of petroleum products with alternate fields and renewable.
• To establish synergistic institutional linkages at the national & international levels in the areas of petroleum conservation & environment protection.
• To provide training and technical advisory services, designed to achieve economy & efficiency in use of petroleum products for cleaner environment.
• To function as a “Think Tank” to the Govt. of India for proposing policies and strategies on petroleum conservation and environment protection aimed at reducing excessive dependence on oil.