Why I love automatics

i work for a company that bases part of my bonus each month on fuel mileage. This company has around 700 trucks, and 95% are automatics. Since I don’t just stomp a pedal and stare ahead, and shift my manual truck correctly, I easily beat the fleet average. Additionally, I make multi stop runs through cities where as the rest of the fleet runs 99% interstate. Thank you, automatics, for making me easy money.

I have a 10 speed, the other trucks have the DT-12 or Eaton Autos. Manual transmissions

 

That’s exactly what I am implying, and it’s been that way since they started tracking fuel mileage. Most guys driving automatics just put their foot to the floor, letting the trans skip shift, lug and choose on its own. I shift my truck for fuel mileage, keeping rpms at 1300 or so until I get to 9th and 10th. Some months I am 1 mpg better.

 

Multi stops Dave! What has surprised me is the accuracy of the Detroit’s with regard to fuel mileage read out. Every day I hand calculate it, and it is usually within a tenth of a mpg. I try to top off the same level and be cognizant of everything.

I do have a friend in a Petebilt sleeper that is around the mpg I get running a 635 mile trip three times a week. He is the type that checks tire pressure, polished his wheels and keeps it clean. An older hand that drives correctly and treats equipment well.

 

@Dave_in_AZ
This truck runs a 2.64 direct, 450 Detroit, 10 speed and I have a bigger gap between the cab and sleeper. My Volvo with a 405 D13, 10 speed and 3.36 had this truck beat by another .5mpg.

 

Unless I slowed down to 55 I just don’t see my setup getting much better fuel mileage. And some days I don’t have that option depending on how many stops and who holds me up. Most of the time on the interstates it’s a blistering 66 mph. Idle time is usually 1% or so, no matter the weather.