Getting Better Fuel Mileage

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 .

 

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: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pxySm17dAJc_-FJrSGVllcw (comments appreciated)

 

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!

 

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

 

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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

it's funny. it even says "go ahead an let it run down, you won't hurt this motor!"