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Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ] Roll On Big Mama. Forum/Discussion about Eighteen Wheeler Trucks. What truck do you like or dislike? Is your favorite truck a Mack, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Marmon, Volvo or Freightliner? Which diesel engine do you prefer; Detroit Diesel, Cummins, or...

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  ^ Top   #41  
Old 07.17.2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kent0242 View Post
Just got my truck back from the Cummins dealer and asked them to give me a printout of the ECM.

I have a 1996 Western Star 4964, Cummins N14 set to 460 hp, 10 speed trans, 3.70 rears, 11.00x24.5 tires, M&S on the rears.

Recent specs showed:

Average fuel economy: 5.50 mpg
Cruise Control Percent Time: 45.70 %
Distance: 4105.60 mi
Fuel Used: 745.0 gal
In Top Gear Percent Time: 89.99 %

I have progressive shift programmed into the ECM, altho I don't really use it. I try to up-shift around 1500 rpm and down-shift around 1150 or 1200 rpm. Cruising speed is usually between 1350 and 1500 rpm (from 62.5 to 68 mph or so).

I use cruise control mainly to avoid speed violations, but also to take some of the burden off of my brain. I will put my foot in it when I have to, especially when there is a group of turtles ahead and I have an opportunity to get past them and operate in an open space.

I am a firm believer that keeping a satisfactory distance between me and the next guy ahead of me allows me to back out of the accelerator (avoiding the service brakes) and also allows me to accelerate at a lighter pace. I do everything possible to avoid hitting my brakes.

The steadier the speed, the better the fuel economy.
My buddy has the same set-up as yours on a 01 Western Star exept for the rear's he run's 355's,He was also in the 5.5 MPG range and after he changed to free-flow mufflers and an overhead run he started seeing 6.2 MPG's.average.Hope this helps .
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  ^ Top   #42  
Old 07.19.2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drive55 View Post
Let's each take a load 825 miles # $1.30 per mile = $1072.50. We will pay $5 gallon for fuel. You will drive 75 MPH and get 5 MPG ($1 per mile) and I'll go 55 MPH and get 7 MPG (.71 cents per mile).**
You will get there in 11 hours and spend $825 on fuel for a gross profit of $247.50, divided by 11 hours works out to $22.50 per hour. It will take me longer, 15 hours, but I only spend $585.70 on fuel so my gross profit is $486.8 divided by 15 = $32.45 per hour. Granted I will have a ten hour sleep period, but when I wake up and hit the road it will be at $32.45 an hour and you will still be getting $22.50. Correct me if I'm wrong, but with fuel at $5 gallon it looks like you could earn an extra $10 an hour when you Drive 55.

** "Excessive speed is the largest single factor in reduced fuel mileage. A general rule of thumb is that every mph increase above 50 mph reduces fuel mileage by 0.1 mpg."
Kenworth White Paper on Fuel Economy, March 2006.
Likewise, if you assume:
1) You run a constant 800 mile journey (at $1.30/mile)
2) You work 11 hours per business day, all year

Truck #1 goes 75mph and gets 5mpg will net about $64k
Truck #2 going 55mph and gets 7mpg will net about $92k.

Truck #2 will make 70 less trips, but the money saved overcomes the potential losses in work. Is my math correct? This seems like quite a bit of coin.

Math: [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. (comments appreciated)
Last edited by sano; 07.19.2008 at 07.52 PM.
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  ^ Top   #43  
Old 07.19.2008
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Yes! You will make more especially after the customer cuts your rate because the produce is 24 hours late No such thing as 55 in the late night chicken flight business!
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  ^ Top   #44  
Old 07.20.2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SPIKE 64 View Post
My buddy has the same set-up as yours on a 01 Western Star exept for the rear's he run's 355's,He was also in the 5.5 MPG range and after he changed to free-flow mufflers and an overhead run he started seeing 6.2 MPG's.average.Hope this helps .

there are two things holding fuel economy back on these trucks, Only being 460hp and that piece of junk 10 speed. there are just too big of jumps between the gears and only one overdrive gear
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  ^ Top   #45  
Old 07.20.2008
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EXCELLENT informational thread you all! This is one of the best threads I have run across to be sure. I am sure a lot of people will find this information extremely useful these days. Thanks!
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  ^ Top   #46  
Old 07.20.2008
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Driving tips for improved fuel economy
If you do a search for "cat driving tips LEHT7296.pdf" you can get a list of driving tips for improved fuel economy directly from the Caterpiller web site. These should be adaptable to any engine if you can find out the rpm range that produces the maximum torque.
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  ^ Top   #47  
Old 07.20.2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xcis View Post
If you do a search for "cat driving tips LEHT7296.pdf" you can get a list of driving tips for improved fuel economy directly from the Caterpiller web site. These should be adaptable to any engine if you can find out the rpm range that produces the maximum torque.
There are also white papers from Kenworth and Cummins (readily available on their websites) that discuss various fuel mileage strategies and theory.
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  ^ Top   #48  
Old 07.20.2008
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ya I have a cd here from cat on driving technics and they tell you to lug it down to 900 rpm
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  ^ Top   #49  
Old 07.20.2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MedicineMan View Post
ya I have a cd here from cat on driving technics and they tell you to lug it down to 900 rpm
LOL i guess they want you to put new rods and mains in yearly. Also new U joints and bearings in the trans.
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  ^ Top   #50  
Old 07.20.2008
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it's funny. it even says "go ahead an let it run down, you won't hurt this motor!"
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