LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Looking to push the envelope on fuel and maintenance savings, Cummins is going to market with integrated idle-reduction technology and extended oil drain intervals, announced company officials at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Cummins officials also introduced a new rating for the engine manufacturer’s 11-litre ISM engine.

The Cummins ComfortGuard system is designed to provide fleet owners and drivers with fuel savings and reduced emissions while heating or cooling the inside of the cab.

The device is integrated with the vehicle’s heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC) system, so that the vehicle’s main engine does not have to be running to provide heating and cooling for the cab.

The ComfortGuard idle-reduction capability is provided by a two-cylinder diesel engine and an Onan genset that’s been a mainstay of the RV and Marine markets for years.

Fuel economy improvements

“In addition to reducing idle time, the Cummins ComfortGuard system will provide the end user with up to an eight and one-half per cent fuel economy improvement, based on 2,000 hours of operation in a 12-month period,” said Tom Kieffer, executive director of marketing.

The ComfortGuard system also provides enhanced functionality from a power standpoint, said officials, so that end users will be able to operate computers, microwaves and other electronic devices with its 12-volt DC and 120-volt AC auxiliary power.

ComfortGuard will be available in early 2005.

New ISM rating

The new ISM rating is 410-hp with 1,550 lb-ft peak torque.

Cummins officials said that with this rating, the ISM offers the highest horsepower and torque available for engines in its class.

The ISM engine is now offered with ratings that range from 280 horsepower with 1,150 lb-ft torque up to the 410-horsepower rating with 1,550 lb-ft torque.

Cummins also announced extended oil drain intervals for ISM and ISX owners that use Valvoline Premium Blue engine oil.

Premium Blue’s Dispersive Polymer Technology (DPT), which provides soot-fighting capabilities and cold start protection, has allowed oil drain intervals to increase from 15,000 to 20,000 miles (24,141 km to 32,187 km) for severe service, from 25,000 to 35,000 miles (40,234 km to 56,328 km) for normal service and from 35,000 to 45,000 miles (56,325 km to 72,421 km) for light-duty service.

Premium Blue, approved by Cummins Inc. for extended oil drain intervals, has been extensively tested on Cummins cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) engines in the lab and on the road.

Premium Blue is formulated to protect modern environmentally-friendly engines.

It exceeds the requirements for the API CI-4 performance classification, as well as Cummins CES 2007 engine oil standards, intended to address strict new diesel emissions requirements.

For more information about these and other products, visit www.cummins.com