The purpose of the testing program described herein was to evaluate the impact on fuel economy resulting from the addition of Counteract Balancing Beads to all wheel positions on both the tractor and trailer. The product was installed in all steer, drive and trailer tires on a test vehicle. Standard unbalanced wheel assemblies served as the basis of the comparison. Testing was conducted by the PAVE Research Institute between the dates of February 13 and February 15, 2008 on a 41.6 mile test loop on Interstate I-85 between exit 42 (the stop and start point) and exit 22 (the turn around point were test vehicles reversed direction). The TMC/SAE Type II test procedure was used, incorporating the SAE 40 mile minimum test run. The following improvement in fuel economy was observed:

• 2.2% improvement in fuel economy

Two 2004 Freightliner C120 Columbia Series tractors each pulling legally loaded standard cargo vans served as the treatment and control vehicles, both powered with identical 435 BHP Detroit Diesel 14L Series 60 engines. The research trailers utilized for this test were 48-foot long, 102-inch tall Great Dane cargo vans loaded to a gross vehicle weight of 76,500 Lbs. The target testing speed was set at 65 mph, which resulted in an average rolling speed of 57.4 mph (including reversing direction through the interchange at exit 22). At 65 mph, the engine speed was 1510 RPM with loads of up to 100%. During testing, fuel consumption was measured in 17-gallon portable weigh tanks that only accommodated a single test run when filled to capacity. The weight of fuel consumed after each test run was measured on an Ohaus Champ II Model CH300R digital scale with a 650 pound capacity. Scale calibration was checked before and after each stage of testing. The same drivers remained with both the control vehicle and the treatment vehicle for the duration of testing.

Read the full Program for Advanced Vehicle Evaluation at Auburn University SAE J1321 (TMC RP-1102)Type II Fuel Consumption Test