Fuel Saving Tips
Here are some great fuel saving tips from Truck Centers. Follow this list of instructions and you can reduce your fuel costs.
Charge Air Cooler – CAC leaks
A loss of boost pressure has a major effect on the air / fuel ratio, resulting in an inefficient burn (low power, poor economy).
Check Your Air Filter
Checking should be part of the daily routine, FilterMinder easiest product on the market to get a visual on condition of filter.
Tune Up – Overhead Adjustment
DDC & MBE recommend adjusting at first 60k miles and then every 100k miles. Provides proper exhaust and intake valve clearance, to ensure correct fresh air and exhaust gas flow.
Replace Injectors in Sets
Single cylinder failure at high mileage is an indicator of the condition of the remaining injectors. Replacing sets ensures optimum performance of ALL cylinders.
Proper PM Maintenance
PM procedures should include all items taken for granted throughout a normal oil change cycle.
Parameter Settings
Road Speed - Road speed could possibly net the fastest return of all parameters. Caterpillar claims you give up 0.1 MPG for every mile an hour over 55.
Progressive Shift - This is designed to limit the PRM in specific gears, at or about peak torque. For example: We may have an engine that’s governed at 1800 RPM, but has a peak torque of 1550 RPM. When shifting up in the lower gears once the peak torque is reached everything above that is wasted fuel.
Idle Shutdown - Limits the amount of time a truck can idle.
Fuel Incentive - Allows a customized program to be built that will allows drivers to increase their road speed if they are meeting economical standards set by user.
Rev Calculations - Ensure calculations for Tire Revs Per Mile, Trans Top Gear Ratio are set correctly.
Regular Download Evaluation - We can download trip data and help the customer understand the information.
Idle Reduction - Try Nite Systems (No-Idle Thermal Environment) which is a supplemental Battery Powered A/C system. Quiet (no engine), Clean (electrical) Fast Return On Investment.
Driver Education
Fuel Bonus Program
Reduce ‘Warm Up’ time to equal ‘walk-around’ inspection time.
Use Progressive Shift Technique, know your peak torque.
Utilize Cruise Control.
Do not run w/ Engine Fan “On.”
Lug your engine more in the 1100 – 1200 range.
REDUCE IDLE TIME!
Fuel Theft Prevention
Use an Anti-Siphoning Insert placed within the neck of a fuel tank, this low cost device prevents putting a hose into the tank.
Check Your Tires
Proper inflation is a key element in fuel economy and tire life, all inflation specs are printed on side of tire, simple yet critical. Rolling resistance also plays a role in fuel economy, higher resistance/lower economy. As a tire wears the resistance actually decreases, but attention to keeping matched sets and DOT regs (4/32” tread depth at the lowest point, steer & 2/32” pull) are also best practice.
Proper Wheel Alignment
Aligning all axles together is always better than a front axle alignment. A solid alignment ensures proper tire life, thus fuel economy. Suggested intervals are the first 12,500 miles then every 60,000 miles or at new tire installation.
Remember These Fuel Basics
Blends- The term ‘Blends’ refers to a diesel fuel that has been mixed with Bio-Fuel. B5, B10, B20 is a reference to ‘how much’ Bio-Fuel has been blended in, (example, B5 = 5% Bio-Fuel). DDC recommends no higher than a B5, not derived from animal fat or used cooking oil, which meets the ASTM D 6751 specification and was produced by a BQ-9000 accredited producer…. What does all this mean? Customers should be careful when purchasing fuel as warranties could be voided if DDC could tie a failure to a non-approved fuel.
15 ppm (ULSD) vs. 500 ppm (LSD)
500 ppm = Low Sulfur Diesel – Five hundred parts of sulfur per million.
15 ppm = Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel – Fifteen parts of sulfur per million. (All 07 EGR products require 15 ppm ULSD). Since January 2007, 80% of diesel fuel sold for ‘On-Highway’ use must be ULSD fuel (15ppm). Until the complete phase-in of ULSD fuel in 2011, dispensing pumps must be identified with the sulfur level of the fuel being sold. If operating EPA07 compliant engines, or older engines with API CJ-4 oils, it is highly recommended that only ULSD fuel be used. Fuels with sulfur content above 15 ppm are not recommended for these engines due to poisoning of aftertreatment devices and the corrosion of EGR components. Engines, particularly EGR-equipped engines, operated on 500 ppm sulfur fuel and API CJ-4 oils will require a reduction in oil drain intervals. What does all this mean? Customers need to know what they are buying, look for the sticker on the pump.
Some Other Body Modifications
Fairings, wings, cab extenders all have shown to increase fuel mileage in the proper application. Removing any of these devices or operating them with damage is not recommended.
Fuel Economy Calculator
Tool to highlight expected return with increased MPG. Insert current Price per gallon, current MPG, and amount purchased, , total cost and cost per mile is calculated. Then insert expected increased average MPG and a comparison calculation is shown with a net increase. Click Here To Access Fuel Economy Calculator
Important note:
“Any performance issues, with ANY THING will cost you fuel economy!”
