Poor fuel mileage in a 05' columbia

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by The Challenger, Apr 14, 2010.

  1. The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    East Central FL
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    I am driving a 05' Columbia thats a former Trans Am truck. The mileage sucks. The best I have gotten was 5.8mpg grossing out at 77,800. The best dead head was 7.0mpg. The truck spec's are:

    2005 Freightliner Columbia
    515HP Detroit 14.0L
    10 spd ultrashift two pedal
    3.58 rears
    22.5 rubber

    Heres the truck:

    [​IMG]

    Can anyone please give me advice on how to get better fuel mileage. The oil used is rotella. Also the tires were recently changed to all new virgins.

    Hunter
     
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  3. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    well there are lots of simple things to ask, recent filter changes, fuel and air, how long since the valves and overhead were adjusted, and how much do you idle? All can have dramatic effect on mileage. And sometimes the deep tread of new tires can reduce your mileage too.
     
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  4. The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    Truck has an apu so idling is kept at min. air filter is changed every 30K. I'll have to ask my boss on the other information you want to know.

    KH
     
  5. stranger

    stranger Road Train Member

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    NC
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    New deep tread tires can cost as much as 1mpg. Also, keep your foot off the floor. Just because it is an automatic does not mean to stomp it to the floor until you reach speed.

    The shift points on an auto are usually high also. I ease into the throttle, applying just as much as I need. I change most gears in manual at the desired rpm I want, and I back out of the throttle during the shift, and ease back in after the shift. You will be suprised how much those things help fuel mileage. If you take off and the front of the truck rises and falls with each gear change, you are giving it too much fuel.

    P.S. Check your air pressure in all tires, truck and trailer. New tires will stretch out and loose pressure.
     
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  6. The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    I will do those Stranger. how do I climb mountains and hills in this thing to get better mpg???

    KH
     
  7. stranger

    stranger Road Train Member

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    Put the truck in manual. You will soon see what the best rpm is for pulling, then start changing gears when the truck drops below that or starts lugging. It may take a little while to get the feel of what rpms pull out the best while using the least fuel. The programs are written to shift gears according to what the engines dynoed at when being developed, not what always works best in the real world.

    As for the tires. I have seen an Acert lose over 1mpg after putting on new deep tread tires running the exact same route with the same freight.
     
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  8. The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    Anyone have familiarity on Freightliners Smart Shift???

    KH
     
  9. Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

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    Weatherford, TX
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    Smart shift is just like all the others. Only mounted on column. flip switch up for manuel. Toggle in for upshift and out for downshift. Will not let you make shift if not in correct rpm range. Will just flash and beep. The one I drove had large gap between 9-10. If you were on long grade and waited for it to shift it would drop too many rpms and wind up in 8th. Stranger is correct about letting off pedal. you can take off and ease up and it will shift at a little lower rpm. And running the over head is a must. If it hasn't been done in a hundred k or so have then do it. May still be winter blend as well in tanks. Just keep tinkering and you will find what it will do. Keep your eyes about as far out as you can too. If you see a green light a mile down the road you can figure it will probably be red when you get there. Ease off and you might catch it still running 15-20 mph. Big fuel saving s any time you don't have to take off from dead stop. If you have to pull over better to do it at top of hill and use down slope to get going than stop at bottom and try to get back to highway speed heading up. Common sense will save you some bucks.
     
  10. The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    BD I noticed the big gap too from 9-10. Also, whats the "L" button for under "D"?

    KH
     
  11. Mjay

    Mjay Bobtail Member

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    May 18, 2009
    Alberta Canada
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    L stands for low. Mine starts out in second when in drive position. Put it in low and it starts out in first. I have the 10 speed autoshift, with clutch pedal.
     
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