[TeamCaffee]

I have tracked our fuel mileage from day one on our truck of off the odometer we have found tracking the fuel off the ECM can be way off. In the past three years we have averaged 2005 - 8.8 2006 - 9.09 2007 9.15 and I hope we can do better this year. Our truck likes 58 mph to get the best fuel mileage and that is what we do. We have found running this slow, in the right lane at the end of our shift we are not as stressed as we used to be. I will add a list of everything we have done to our truck to improve fuel mileage and also wear and tear on our truck. I am sure there are lots of great ideas that you have that can add to our list.

Speed – slow down to 55 to 60 mph every mile per hour you run over 55 you lose 1/10 of a mile per gallon. If you drive 65 you lose 1 mile per gallon. If you get 9 mpg can increase that to 10 mpg you will gain 6,666.00 dollars per year in fuel savings.

APU (auxiliary power unit) – No idling less wear and tear on the motor

GPS – Dash mounted for ease of use – saves fuel by getting lost less

Low pro tires or Super Singles – less rolling resistance

Locking Fuel Caps – with the price of fuel we feel our chances of someone stealing our fuel is a high probability

Check tire pressure often – low tire pressure less fuel mileage

Aerodynamic truck – less wind resistance

Air Tabs – redirect air flow behind truck

Turbo D Vada 3000 – Makes engine run more efficiently

Synthetic engine oil, transmission, rear ends – Lower viscosity higher film strength easier to turn engine = better fuel economy

Fuel additives - raises cetane level more power in each gallon of fuel

Fuel Filters – Use Fuel Filters for the engine and made by the manufacture of your engine because of fuel flow differences

Pre-Pass system to avoid having to stop and go at scales

We not have Bug Shields – Visors – Air Cleaners on side of truck – Stacks on side of truck = less aerodynamics

[OntarioVanMan]

Gee Linda....you forget the wind sail? *LOL*

Too bad the rear view mirrows couldn't be more aerodynamic....those big flat things have to create drag?

How much of 2007 were you slowed down? Do you think you can hit 10mpg?

[greg334]

"Turbo D Vada 3000 – Makes engine run more efficiently"

Got mine installed and it has done nothing for me, everything I am recording is like it wasn't there. I feel that it is like others things like alarms, peace of mind.

I wonder who has a FASS or pure flow system?
The former has not been tested but makes claims of better fuel mileage but the latter has been tested by different organizations.

Also how many have changed their exhaust system to better flow?

how many have added a grandrock?

[jaymarquis1]

You should also look into an APU typicly they save 1-1.25 gallons per hour of idleing and the higher the cost of fuel the more you save. should be arround $600 to $1000 a month

[jaminjim]

Slowing down to a speed that get you into the highest gear is one of the biggest things to improve your mpg.
But when you are figuring your cost per mile, are you figuring in the extra cost of the additive that you poor into the tank? If it cost you 2 cents per mile to gain a one cent savings then it is not worth it if you are just trying to decrease your cost per mile. (not taking into account any benefit to keeping the engine in better condition.)

[Kyreax]

What's all this I hear about "super-single" tires saving gas? Wouldn't that conversion be worth it right about now given the fuel prices?

Plus, better ride, quieter ride.

Are blowouts that more of a concern though?

[TeamCaffee]

OVM we are in the upper 9 mpg range right now and hope once the SS tires get worn in we will hit a month where we average 10 mpg.
Jim we have tested our truck without the additive and we dropped enough MPG that for us the fuel additive is worth it. I do track what the additive costs and keep it separated from the fuel but then add it back it so I know our true cost of what the fuel costs us per mile. We have an extra tank for our APU so our MPG is actual mpg.

[layoutshooter]

The best way to get better mileage, even better than slowing down, is to get a pump that reads wrong. I filled up at a Pilot in TN the other day and when I checked my mileage it kept coming out at 18.71!!!!! NOT BAD!!!! I told the manger that his pumps where reading wrong, like 1/2 the amont of fuel sold. He said that they have not been having trouble but he would check it out. I offered to pay the difference if he found any and he said that it could not be done. There was no way to figure out who might have been under chargeed. He thanking me for being honest. I sure did like that 18.71MPG figure. *SIGH* shame is was not right. It was exactly half of what it should have been for that fuel load. Layoutshooter

[nightcreacher]

Originally Posted by LDB

What rpm are you running when getting 8.5 and also when getting 7.5? As others have said, slowing down is top of the list for many. I also think Airtabs are worth some. Another potential small savings comes with Centramatics. Every time the tire is bouncing up and down it's losing efficiency. You probably wouldn't see more than maybe 0.1mpg difference but you also benefit from the better ride.

I for one fell for the ads on centramatics,well must tell you,ive used that powder called equal for years,til this last set of tires,I now have the centramatics,but in all honesty,they do not help anymore than the powder I had been useing .just when you change your tires the mechanic wont be happy if he gets a face full of powder.Also ,when checking tire pressures,you might need to blow air into the tire to get the powder out of the valve stem.and another thing,always use the air from your truck,that has run thru an air dryer,as if you get moisture in the tire,will screw up the powder.No more centramatics for me,a pair is all ill have,other tires still have powder called EQUAL

[nightcreacher]

Originally Posted by jaminjim

Slowing down to a speed that get you into the highest gear is one of the biggest things to improve your mpg.
But when you are figuring your cost per mile, are you figuring in the extra cost of the additive that you poor into the tank? If it cost you 2 cents per mile to gain a one cent savings then it is not worth it if you are just trying to decrease your cost per mile. (not taking into account any benefit to keeping the engine in better condition.)

Sorry but fuel additives will actually cost you fuel mileage,sure use once in a while to clean injectors,or if you have water issues,but dont use every time you fuel.just like #1 fuel will also cost you fuel mileage
and as far as the super singles,dont get a flat tire,it will be very costly,I have a friend he has them on his fleet,his road expense for tire repair went up much farther than the fuel savings,btw hes getting .2 mpg better with the ss,and he has them on his trailers too

[pellgrn]

I stay on the toll roads more,stopping and starting consume alot of fuel along with increased cross traffic that is more stressful and dangerous.I like to get on a island on the expressway,and 60 in a 70 is a easy way to create a island,alot of following distance and nobody on the side for very long anyway.I try to ignore how close to my bumper the trk of car is when they swing into the left lane to pass me.

[OntarioVanMan]

I try to ignore how close to my bumper the trk of car is when they swing into the left lane to pass me.


I just snicker at those types. and i am thinking I am making money...Are you????

[pellgrn]

If they hit my bumper the down time and repair cost won't justify the extra cash,not to mention any medical bills.

[LDB]

If they hit my bumper my whiplash, pain and suffering, lost wages and other claims will greatly exceed what I lose while the truck is off the road. There's generally not a huge problem though. If I'm on a two lane road I'll drive a little bit faster, if it's within the posted limit, to not hold up traffic. Periodically I may pull off and let folks pass too. I'm not going to drive any faster than I'm comfortable or is safe.

[nightcreacher]

at 5 under the speed limit,you will get passed by everything on the road,but thats ok,im laughing all the wayto the bank,and i have not been in an accident because of it,or have held up traffic,except in construcyion,and tghat is because im doing the posted speed,others want to speed,now im saving them too