Quote:
Originally Posted by no_worries
You can't compare a lifetime average of 6 to a one-trip average of 8 and say, "that's the way it is." A mechanical engine would get well over 7 on that run. Once you get to Redding it's all "downhill" and in a 55 mph state to boot. I have the same engine as you do and regularly get 8 mpg on that stretch...certainly don't average that though.
If you want cooler nights, go up to the J on top of the Grapevine (Lebec). There are a few different restaurant choices and even a decent cheap motel if you are so inclined. There's also the Petro and TA at Wheeler ridge. Good facilities at the Petro and a Starbucks and, most importantly, an In-N-Out.
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I agree that one run is not a good example but it can be a benchmark for when everything is mostly flat and straight and a good target to aim for.
In the steep mountains of BC on a regular route over about 1200 miles with exactly the same load each time we got 6.7 US.
That is the real world. And I doubt any mechanical CAT would get better than 4 or 5. We consistanly got 4.5 year in and year out. And that was imperial gallons not metric like in the US. Never mind that the jake was non-esixtant so it was at least two gears lower than a compribale Cummins eninge.
The company i drove for "back in the day" only ran CATs. As I said before, I got more than a million miles in them, and have fueled them and checked them time and again.
Great engines though if what you want to do is shift allday. They have an operating range as narrow as thin ruller.