idling

mine was usually around 45% in extreme temps. at my company if you don't have an apu you're given 15% 'free'. when it gets higher they ask what's up. those of us with an apu are allowed 5%. in the year since I got an apu i've been around 1% only time I idle is if i need to build air pressure.

 

My idle with an APU was a consistent 11% but that included the sit in traffic idle also as all ECM's count it as idle! Because I was dedicated NYC that happened but if my but wasn't in the truck that engine was shut off. No matter what the out side temp was or the reason. Anything less and you're doing great!

 

No way can you maintain a 1% idle, rollover is right it's around 10 to 15% ALWAYS

 

I was told I was under 6% last week. Sent to me by my fleet manager. I shut this thing off every chance I get.

 

The boss probably said that they didn't care. They are putting it back on the driver and are not going to back him up if a ticket is issued.
Read earlier post's. Several good suggestions were brought up. Most of the suggestions and not only mine, but there are many great ideas mentioned. Drivers are going to have to start sending messages to organizations, state and federal government-politicians, EPA, OSHA et al.

 

well, that's where I've been since I got a truck with an apu- I shut it off every time I get out and I never idle for temperature. only time I show idle (QC registers it after 5 minutes) is if I'm stuck in traffic. if there's construction and I know I'll be stopped long enough, I shut it off. I was around 20% average before I got an apu.

 

That's QC! That isn't the REAL idle time. The ECM down load will tell the real story but that 6&#37; was outstanding and so is 1% if it came off anything other than the QC! My QC when I looked at it was about 7% but the company never set the parameters on it as it did cost more from QC! They lived with the ECM and the parameters they set on it for their engine information. You'd be really surprised what they can do with anything in the ECM! Just remember the company can set parameters on QC to some stupid limits the same on the ECM. Like that after 5 minute thing. That's a nice time in traffic before it registers then roll a few feet in gear then it starts all over again. it's not a realistic time recording but does help you if you have to show a "< certain" percentage! The ECM will show all idle times as either an in gear clutch in sitting, or out of gear parking brake released foot brake engaged column in the downloads or how they want the report to show.
Lets not forget that the ECM will also tell everything you did in that truck seconds before you wreck and it is what the DOT will use to back up your on board log book as it will actually use information from it to record your lines.
Ya gotta love the new age of electronics! What ever happened to 8 track tapes! LOL

 

And why not? If your shut the truck off every time you get out , or stuck at a RR crossing , or in a traffic backup for long periods. And nevr idle while parked for the nite or at the dock, it can be done.
I have had idle time less than 1% for almost a year,untill July when the altornator on my Tripak gave up the ghoast, and the co. wounldn't get fixed untill i was routed to a terminal. So i ended up idling for two weeks straight, the last 2 wks of july, even then it's went up to 16%.
And yes qc is calbrated/ set up , at least with my company, to show the correct idle time. I've witness the calbration take place.

 

Skibum: you're not quite catching what I'm saying.

That crapola of not registering for 5 minutes is just that crapola! it's NOT a true idle count as it's droping 5 minutes so your 1&#37; is actually some other number. Ask them to do away with that deal and see what you are "actually" idling! if you're on a fleece err lease deal I would WANT to know the exact numbers but as i said for a company driver I guess it's better! It lowers your time and does look better "on paper!"

As far as turning the truck off for trains and heavy traffic. OK I'll give you the train and I'll give you where traffic is completely stopped but I don't shut it down in stop and go. I've done my 2-17 hours of sitting in a dead stopped interstate due to accidents and weather. If I had an APU the truck got shut down and if I didn't the ONLY time that truck was shut down was if the weather was nice and the cab stayed at a comfortable temperature!

But then you said this

which now makes this null and void

So we can almost forget everything I wrote above as I didn't catch the first quote! It's Friday the 13th and I've been slammed several times in "bad luck" situations today! LOL

Any way 1% is a real hard number to achieve and it's almost too much like work! When I opened the door I know the truck was off EXCEPT to go kick the pins back in when sliding the tandems as that was 30 seconds of out of the truck and it was 2 times, Kick the lever, go back and bounce the truck and go back and check that pins are locked properly and get back in truck and go.The log book line got drawn when out of another drivers way and only takes less than 15 seconds, not worth turning the truck off for! LOL Any other times the key is in my hand.

 

well I've seen the numbers at the other end- I stopped in the office the other day and asked- yep around 1&#37; or a little over. I never leave it running in the fuel island, while doing a pre-trip, or a drop-hook. simply put- when my truck is parked, the engine is OFF

with a properly-functioning apu, there is never a need to idle