Why Environmental Testing Matters

Trucks operate across a wide range of rigorous environmental conditions – desert heat, icy highways, high-altitude passes, etc. Each environment introduces its own challenges to engines, drivetrains, braking systems, electronics functionality and more. By simulating extreme environments in a controlled setting, environmental testing helps heavy-duty truck manufacturers validate a wide range of vehicle systems and components for durability, reliability, and safety, before failure happens in the field.

Cold Weather Testing

At sub-zero temperatures, engines can struggle to start. Lubricants thicken. Batteries lose efficiency. Materials become brittle. Our cold-weather testing protocols expose heavy-duty trucks to extremely low temperatures for extended periods (often overnight or longer) to allow all components to reach ambient temperatures as low as -37°C or -35°F. This is to ensure systems remain responsive, reliable, and compliant with cold-start emissions standards. Key cold testing evaluations include:

• Engine start-up and cold start procedures
• Fluid flow including engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and fuel with winterized blends
• Battery performance and efficiency
• Heating systems including cabin heater, defroster and defrogger to ensure driver comfort and visibility
• Material durability, brittleness and potential for cracking of plastics, rubber and other materials
• Braking systems such as air brakes including the absence of moisture freezing in air tanks and lines
• Electronics functionality to make sure ECUs, sensors and displays operate correctly
• Emissions testing in cold conditions to meet emissions standards

High-Altitude Testing

From tractor-trailers to commercial box trucks, high-altitude testing is essential – and for good reason. At elevations above 8,000 feet, air pressure and oxygen levels drop significantly impacting combustion efficiency, turbocharger response, cooling system performance, and emissions.  This is why testing is vital for trucks that will navigate mountainous landscapes like Empire, Colorado – which happens to be home to our specialized testing facility dedicated to extreme temperature and high-altitude testing.

Our  Rocky Mountain Environmental Testing Facility sits at an altitude of 8,900 ft. in real-world mountainous terrain. With staging area and 700 ft. off-highway drive-away, this facility is designed as a secure operational base for clients and may be used for services like:

• Engine performance and emissions testing to ensure reliability of power, fuel efficiency and emissions control challenges with reduced air density
• Turbocharger performance
• Cooling system efficiency in lower-density air to prevent overheating
• Braking system performance for air brake systems
• Material and component durability
• Impact on DEF systems and particulate filtration
• Calibration and tuning for optimal performance and emissions compliance

Year-Round, Real-World Confidence

Our environmental test facilities offer both simulated and real-world conditions for seasonal and accelerated lifecycle testing. Whether it’s blazing heat or blizzard-like cold, at sea-level or high-altitude, we help ensure your heavy-duty trucks are ready for the extremes before they face them.

Ready to Validate Performance?

Environmental testing reduces risk, boosts confidence, and supports compliance. If your heavy-duty trucks need to perform everywhere your customers are, rigorous environmental testing isn’t optional – it’s essential.