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mike3fan
Joined: 04 Aug 2006
Posts: 1715
Location: michigan
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: My week long experiment results |
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This has been discussed many times in this forum and everytime it shows the same results,these are mine.
I fueled up in Indianapolis,IN last thursday night and delivered around Cincinatti,Oh on friday then back to Chicago to pick up a load for Brownsville,TX which I delivered on Monday,then up to Houston to pick up a load going to Chicago.
I never set the cruise for over 62mph and ran under 60 when in IL.
Total miles for this was 3,737,total gallons used 582.260 at a cost of $2,226.79 for an average of $3.824 a gallon.My mpg came out to 6.42,which is almost 7 tenths better than I usually average.
In real world numbers I saved 67.653 gals of fuel based on the same avg cost per gallon I saved $258.70 over 7 days.
It wasn't easy running 61-62mph in those 70mph states I will confess,but once you get into a groove and just ride it wasn't that bad and if I can put 258 bucks in my pocket at the end of the week I think I can handle it.
I would like to make a couple of observations about driving at this speed,I got really frustrated at other drivers and the way they pass slower trucks.I was pulling a flammable load and that made no difference to other drivers,they would tailgate within feet and what was really hard to take was how close they would pull back in front of you especially if it took them a little longer to get pass,you can guess the kinda carriers that it would take a little longer to pass someone going 62mph.
I would constantly have to kick off the cruise to back off and leave a little room between the truck that just pulled in front and myself.In my opinion they are putting me at danger by their actions,not to mention if a officer just happens to come around without seeing his actions I am in position to get a following too closely ticket which is grounds for immediate
termination from my job. |
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TK THE TRUCKER
Joined: 11 Jul 2004
Posts: 894
Location: NEAR ROCHESTER, NY
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:21 am Post subject: Re: My week long experiment results |
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mike3fan wrote: It wasn't easy running 61-62mph in those 70mph states I will confess,but once you get into a groove and just ride it wasn't that bad and if I can put 258 bucks in my pocket at the end of the week I think I can handle it.
That definitely sounds worth it to slow down a bit. An extra $1,000 in your pocket a month or even $750 if you take a week off each month is well worth it. You could go buy a new pick up truck with that saved money and still have a few bucks left over or invest it all back into your business. 8) 8) |
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sidman82
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 410
Location: Long Island,NY
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:56 am Post subject: |
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| I try and run the slow lane when possible. You will find out it is more relaxing and less stressfull to just chill out in the slow lane and cruise along at about 55 to 60 mph. Listen to the satilite radio and watch all the boneheads travel at light speed past you and see all the crazy $hit they do. You do meet up with some idiots sometimes at that speed. Sometimes you will go to get around someone who was doing 45 mph and they will then do 65 mph when you procede to pass and then you must do 70 to get around them. :x I will admit it is hard. But, I am finding it more relaxing then not, even with the few boneheads you will encounter. Good luck. :P |
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allan5oh
Joined: 26 Aug 2005
Posts: 2233
Location: jackassville (winnipeg, mb)
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Yup I've been doing 58-60 for about 4 years now. I absolutely love it. |
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Orangetxguy
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 1936
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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sidman82 wrote: I try and run the slow lane when possible. You will find out it is more relaxing and less stressfull to just chill out in the slow lane and cruise along at about 55 to 60 mph. Listen to the satilite radio and watch all the boneheads travel at light speed past you and see all the crazy $hit they do. You do meet up with some idiots sometimes at that speed. Sometimes you will go to get around someone who was doing 45 mph and they will then do 65 mph when you procede to pass and then you must do 70 to get around them. :x I will admit it is hard. But, I am finding it more relaxing then not, even with the few boneheads you will encounter. Good luck. :P
:lol: :lol: :lol: Not laughing at you there Sid....but...when Mike was driving 60 on his drop...(assuming he entered TX on I-30, and used the US59-US77 route to Browntown) through Texas...he was doing a good 20 mph than the majority of the traffic...especially the 4-wheeler traffic. :wink: |
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Orangetxguy
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 1936
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: My week long experiment results |
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mike3fan wrote: This has been discussed many times in this forum and everytime it shows the same results,these are mine.
I fueled up in Indianapolis,IN last thursday night and delivered around Cincinatti,Oh on friday then back to Chicago to pick up a load for Brownsville,TX which I delivered on Monday,then up to Houston to pick up a load going to Chicago.
I never set the cruise for over 62mph and ran under 60 when in IL.
Total miles for this was 3,737,total gallons used 582.260 at a cost of $2,226.79 for an average of $3.824 a gallon.My mpg came out to 6.42,which is almost 7 tenths better than I usually average.
In real world numbers I saved 67.653 gals of fuel based on the same avg cost per gallon I saved $258.70 over 7 days.
It wasn't easy running 61-62mph in those 70mph states I will confess,but once you get into a groove and just ride it wasn't that bad and if I can put 258 bucks in my pocket at the end of the week I think I can handle it.
I would like to make a couple of observations about driving at this speed,I got really frustrated at other drivers and the way they pass slower trucks.I was pulling a flammable load and that made no difference to other drivers,they would tailgate within feet and what was really hard to take was how close they would pull back in front of you especially if it took them a little longer to get pass,you can guess the kinda carriers that it would take a little longer to pass someone going 62mph.
I would constantly have to kick off the cruise to back off and leave a little room between the truck that just pulled in front and myself.In my opinion they are putting me at danger by their actions,not to mention if a officer just happens to come around without seeing his actions I am in position to get a following too closely ticket which is grounds for immediate
termination from my job.
Are you going to try another experiment...say spend a week running at 64-66 moh..and see what that does?
Just wondering is all...I have a C-15 with 3.55 rears and 13 speed Fuller. I have found that I am getting my best fuel mileage at 1450 to 16 rpm..which puts me in the 64-66 mph range, depending on the terrain. The warmer it is the better my mileage too. |
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marylandkw
Joined: 06 Sep 2005
Posts: 521
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:56 pm Post subject: Re: My week long experiment results |
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mike3fan wrote: I never set the cruise for over 62mph I have no scientific results to verify it but I find if I run the cruise alot my mileage is significantly better.
This past week I ran no faster than 55mph anywhere, and while hard to adjust I sure did enjoy better than 7.5 mpg in a W9. |
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marylandkw
Joined: 06 Sep 2005
Posts: 521
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: My week long experiment results |
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| Orangetxguy wrote: I have found that I am getting my best fuel mileage at 1450 to 16 rpm..which puts me in the 64-66 mph range, depending on the terrain. What year is your C-15? Mine is a 06' turned up too 550 and I found my best mileage at 1250-1450 tops. At 1500 I can almost see the needle drop. |
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sidman82
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 410
Location: Long Island,NY
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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FYI, mine is a C-15 500hp with 3.73's with 13 speed. I do try and keep it at or under 1500 rpm's. Which is around 65 mph. I do go over that now and then, but try not to. Lately I've been going a little slower as I stated. It is a little easier for me as I stay local. If I was running the road I would probably keep it at 1450 rpm's @ about 64. I get 7 mpg.
I just did my IFTA and over the 1st Quarter I show 7.06 mpg. |
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mike3fan
Joined: 04 Aug 2006
Posts: 1715
Location: michigan
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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| I have the C15 550 with 3.36 rears,I think I was running around 1200-1250rpm,if I run the 1350 that some say gives best fuel milage I am doing 67,this doesn't seem to be better than what I did this week. |
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Orangetxguy
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 1936
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: My week long experiment results |
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marylandkw wrote: Orangetxguy wrote: I have found that I am getting my best fuel mileage at 1450 to 16 rpm..which puts me in the 64-66 mph range, depending on the terrain. What year is your C-15? Mine is a 06' turned up too 550 and I found my best mileage at 1250-1450 tops. At 1500 I can almost see the needle drop.
Mine is an 01, with 120K on the overhaul, set at 435 on the throttle 450 on the cruise. Tried running it at 1250 to 1450 like International suggested and averaged 4.8 to 5.2 mpg.
Cat suggested running the engine at 1450 to 1600...keeping the temp up to 190-200 degrees. The fan clutch is set to engage at 205! My mpg is running at 5.8 to 6.4...again depending on the terrain..and the load. If I am experiencing a lot of slosh in the tank I'm pulling...it knocks down my mpg...go figure.
I have always run the cruise whenever possible, on any truck I drive. |
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solo379
Joined: 14 Feb 2004
Posts: 3162
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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mike3fan wrote: if I run the 1350 that some say gives best fuel milage I am doing 67
Do you have a tall rubber? Cause my old truck, with the same setup, was doing 67mph at 1400 rpm. 24.5LP.
The "sweet spot" for Acert is 1325, i wish i specs my with 3.36! :sad: With 3.55, i do best, running between 60-62, sometimes it's fine, but sometimes, i need it a bit faster!
BTW "Sweet spot" does not mean best fuel mileage. It's only means that anything above it, may be unnecessary, and the waste of fuel. |
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bigtimba
Joined: 10 Sep 2006
Posts: 216
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:17 pm Post subject: This really got me laughing . . |
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. . "I would like to make a couple of observations about driving at this speed,I got really frustrated at other drivers and the way they pass slower trucks.I was pulling a flammable load and that made no difference to other drivers,they would tailgate within feet and what was really hard to take was how close they would pull back in front of you especially if it took them a little longer to get pass,you can guess the kinda carriers that it would take a little longer to pass someone going 62mph."
Congratulations! You're now an honorary Swift driver!
Seriously, now . . I'm driving an '05 Volvo, 361k, with a big red thing under the hood that says Cummins. I inherited this truck a couple of months ago showing overall fuel average of 6.7 and have managed to bring it up to 7.2. Cruise and pedal are cut at 63 and I cruise almost exclusively. |
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Darin Younce
Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 342
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Hwy Mike3fan, That would be around a 7 ct per mile savings or near 12% from what I figure. That is impressive! Imagine if every one did this . BTW, what speeds did you run before this? |
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mike3fan
Joined: 04 Aug 2006
Posts: 1715
Location: michigan
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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solo379 wrote: BTW "Sweet spot" does not mean best fuel mileage. It's only means that anything above it, may be unnecessary, and the waste of fuel.
Ok that makes sense,I do have 24.5lp |
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