This recommended practice provides a standardized test procedure for comparing the in-service fuel consumption of two conditions of a test vehicle or of one test vehicle to another when it is not possible to run the two or more test vehicles simultaneously. An unchanging control vehicle is in tandem with the test vehicle(s) to provide reference fuel consumption data. This procedure is especially suitable for testing components which require substantial time for removal and replacement or modification, such as engines, transmissions, tag-axles, and cab sheet metal. This procedure may also be used for comparison of entire vehicles and for easy-to-change components (those referenced in the Type I test described in SAE Recommended Practice, SAE J1264). The test may utilize fleet vehicles operating over representative routes.
