Best Fuel Economy Practices??

Reading green sucks

 

You are going into the slowest trucks in the industry. Prime sets you up for success as they say. There are not a lot of variables that you can influence. I'd use pedal when in hills. Back off a little bit as you are climbing, and more importantly, find your engine's power band. If you have to back down a gear then do so. Try to time it where it can be done smoothly. Don't lug! If the truck runs smoother at 45MPH on the climbs at 1300 RPM in 9th gear than 1150-1200 RPM at 51MPH in 10th, then use 9th. Other things you can do is just be mindful of your acceleration and plan ahead. When in town, look 10-15 seconds down the road. If you can see multiple traffic lights ahead, just assume you will catch every single one at red. If the speed limit is 45 then just run 30. Even if the 4 wheelers get pissed and pass you. It lets you slow down easier and possibly keep from having to come to a complete stop at each light. Don't try to race cars or other trucks off the line just to get up to speed. Make it gradual. Don't pay attention when other truckers talk crap to you on the radio. Just maintain your lane integrity and drive smoothly. Same principle applies in heavy traffic on freeways. NEVER take it out of gear to coast! Not only is that illegal but you no longer have full control of your equipment when its out of gear. Especially going down a hill or other grade. In an emergency, you may not have enough time to find a gear to slow it back down. When parking, loading/unloading etc., pay attention to your APU use. Just because you don't have to idle doesn't mean that APU doesn't burn fuel. If its comfortable weather outside, crack your vents and windows and enjoy the breeze. If you can spend some time inside the truck stop without having to have the AC or heater run on that APU, you are also saving fuel. If you have the option available to do so, don't get more fuel than you need for the current run you are on plus some reserve. More fuel is just more weight to move. Keep your tires aired up, air filter blown out, and any other driver level maintenance you can do. Keep coolant topped off. IF its not cooling the engine then the fan has to come on which takes power from the wheels and forces the engine to work harder to move your load.

 

I disagree on the lugging,these new motors are designed to be lugged down and maintain fuel economy. i let my cruise go til the engine is lugged down to 1100 before kicking it off and down shifting. sometimes i may not have to downshift becajuse she will pull the hill at 1100. your engine has a higher horsepower rating while on cruise versus on the pedal if its setup like most companies. so to kick cruise off before you need to because you dont want to lug,you are robbing yourself of horsepower to pull the hill efficiently. on flat ground set the cruise and ride. 59-60mph keeps me in the right lane with minimal lane changes.

 

Also if I remember correct the Cascadias use a electric fan to reduce engine workload.

 

They don't... it's a fan clutch.

 

Maybe the '13s and up do but mine is a '12 and its belt driven with a clutch engage. Its possible though the newer ones may have this. I'm not sure as Prime has such a wide variety of trucks in their fleet. Its anybody's guess what he could end up in as a company driver. If he is flatbed he might end up in a Pete 387 or if he is reefer or tank he might get one of those new microliner "lightweights." Prime has one of the most diverse fleets of company trucks that I've ever seen.

 

Hills... if you can get a little speed up on a downgrade, it'll perform better going up - but you don't want to put your foot in it. Do get the engine up from idle before you hit the grade, because there is a lag between power demand and when the turbo spools up. As you hit the crest, back out of it, and let the momentum of the truck carry you over the top of the hill. Using "Georgia Overdrive" (going downhill in neutral) is illegal, dangerous, and liable to get you and/or someone else killed. Depending on the grade, you may need to use your jake brake for speed control and/or downshift into a gear that allows you to control your speed with your jake. You should never ride your brake down a steep grade... on a hot day with a heavy load, brake fade will kill you.