Driving on highway with lights

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by D16, Mar 21, 2008.

  1. D16

    D16 Light Load Member

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    Jul 11, 2007
    Vancouver
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    Hi to all!Another question about fuel economy.Let's say you are on highway with some intersections with lights but speed limit is 60 MPH.After stopping how you guys and gals reach speed limit-1.As fast as possible or 2.Slowly?And which technique is more fuel efficient?IMHO I'm trying reach speed limit ASAP even when gross is 97,000 lbs.Glad to hear your opinions.:biggrin_25511:
     
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  3. Scarecrow03

    Scarecrow03 Road Train Member

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    In Your Head
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    It's all about progressive shifting for me. Ramming and cramming the gears does nothing for MPG's. I try not to go over 1500 RPMs at any time. Also, if there's a series of lights, I won't even try to hit the speed limit. Everything I do when driving revolves around fuel economy. I reckon that's why my '97 Freightliner Classic with a 470 Detroit and Eaton 13spd gets 6.3 mpg.
     
  4. D16

    D16 Light Load Member

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    Jul 11, 2007
    Vancouver
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    Looks like my question a bit incorrect.Let's do another way-From dead stop with 80,000 gross you have to rich speed 60MPH on flat.How you will do that-as fast as possible or slowly,and which of this choices more economical and why?:biggrin_2558:
     
  5. Scarecrow03

    Scarecrow03 Road Train Member

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    In Your Head
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    The same answer applies. The lower the RPMs, the higher the MPGs. Slow and easy is where it's at. Ramming and cramming getting to the speed limit as fast as possible will not net you MPGs?
     
  6. D16

    D16 Light Load Member

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    Jul 11, 2007
    Vancouver
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    What about this theory-less time spend to reach speed limit,less fuel will be sucked by engine.For example fast choice you cover 1/2 mile and slowly you have to cover 1 mile to reach speed limit.:biggrin_25522:
     
  7. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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  8. MickeyFIN

    MickeyFIN Light Load Member

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    Mar 6, 2007
    Turku, Finland
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    The Torque you use must... the horsepower not.


    * Use the Torque
     
  9. BGatot

    BGatot Light Load Member

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    Jan 16, 2008
    Minneapolis MN
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    I've heard of this theory, getting to cruise speed as fast as possible to maximize time spend cruising instead of accelerating. The theory is that since you get best mpg when cruising you should try to maximize your time cruising. But I don't think it works in real life. The extra fuel used to accelerate quickly will be more than what you'd save from the (little bit) of extra time cruising instead of accelerating!

    I think this theory was thought of by some leadfoot as an excuse for his/her driving! :biggrin_2559:
     
  10. 24valve puller

    24valve puller Medium Load Member

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    Sep 8, 2007
    N.E. Oh
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    Get to speed as slow as possible, treat the go pedal as if there is an egg under it. Watch the boost guage, it is as close to a mpg calculator as most trucks have, the less boost the less fuel burned
     
  11. myminpins

    myminpins Road Train Member

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    Dartmouth, NS, Canada
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    I believe this only applies to cars. I read a recent study that confirmed this - that getting up to speed as quickly as possible is more efficient but I do believe it's ONLY for AUTOMATIC cars. I still don't do it but that's what the most recent "people" say. Who knows?
     
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