Re: Fuel/Acetone discussion

Posted by Hugh MacKay on November 06, 2005 at 03:33:48 from (216.208.58.180):

In Reply to: Fuel/Acetone discussion posted by Michael Soldan on November 05, 2005 at 12:57:09:

Michael: I guess you should have told these guys that every Canadian over 50 still uses miles per Imperial gallon. Your driving principles are very sound. A vast percentage of the population would be quite surprised if they practiced these principles.

In 1999 I went to drive a Peterbuilt with 500hp Cat pulling Super B trains, grossing 140,000 lbs. Now I am not a career truck driver, at that time had never driven a truck over 70,000 lbs gross. This employer owned a fleet of 35 trucks all with that same Cat engine and same transmission and rear end ratios. Every two weeks your fuel milage amoung other things were calculated from the onboard computer. I came in in 9th place, and 1st place for the guys hauling Super B trains. Those other 8 guys did have some road miles on single trailers grossing about 110,000. This set a few of the old career truck drivers on their ear. Some actually wanted to know how I did it. My advice even for that big rig was much the same as yours, one exception, pulling 140,000 lbs. as much as possible you wait for down grade to accelerate from 30 mph to 60 mph. I later drove another truck with that Scan device, giving you constant readout on fuel milage. In my opinion a great little option for someone with bad habits. I found a few of my own.

You mention tires, and tire inflation is very important, but equally important is the condition of tires themselves. It is surprising the number of folks driving with broken radials. Retread tires are another one that can cost fuel milage. Fine if they are in good condition but many are not. I talked my current employer into getting rid of retreads on one trailer. That was 6 months ago, yes we did get fuel savings, and yes MTO guys are no longer taking time to inspect the tires at scales. There are good reasons for these inspections, mainly the lifted tire recaps lieing along our roadsides.

I know I have dwelled on heavy trucks, however as a percentage guys, your full size pickup or minivan will be no different. As I told a guy on the CB radio one day when he asked how I ever managed to get by some road construction with Peterbuilt and Super B train. He had warned in advance, I should take an alternate route. When ask how I ever got through, my responce," This rig is a lot closer to a Honda Civic on manuverability than most folks would ever believe."

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