Fuel Mileage Update
I just averaged my last ten fuel mileage figures. When you work for yourself, saving fuel becomes a big priority. On the first five fill ups, I averaged 6.681. The figures for these fillings were 7.16, 6.661,6.279, 6.638 and 6.172. I drove in a manner that I would consider normal during this time period. I decided to push the envelope and try for the best fuel mileage possible. I accelerated slower and limited my top speed to sixty two miles per hour. The results were an increase of .778 M.P.G. and a average of 7.459. The figures for these fillings were 7.782, 7.716, 7.011, 7.227 and 7.563. My weekly trip from Charlotte, North Carolina to Laredo, Texas is 2,924 miles. The the savings is 98.14 based on a fuel price of $2.15per gallon. I normally operate for forty eight weeks a year.The results would add up to $4,710 a year in savings. This figure would double if fuel goes up to four or five dollars per gallon. Driving in this manner only increased my trip time by four and a half to 5 hours. This means that I made around twenty dollars per hour for my extra effort. My goal is to break the eight M.P.G mark. I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
Be safe, Henry
April 3, 2009 at 2:51 am
Very impressive. It’s well worth the savings I’d say.
April 3, 2009 at 10:49 am
There is no doubt in my mind you will get to 8 mpg in this truck! I wonder what would happen if you could do one of yours runs at a steady 57 or 58 mph and not run into any traffic jams?
April 3, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Hey Henry,
Love hearing about the Cascadia. The ride, the quietness, the power and the fuel mileage. Please keep posting, I look at the web site almost every day. I currently own a 1990 Peterbilt 377 with a 400 Cummins. Mileage is average for that vintage truck and engine. However, it is noisy in the cab. I really like the look of the Cascadia as well as the look of the Peterbilt 387. It sure would be nice to have a comparison between these two trucks with respect to inside noise, ride, handling and fuel mileage. Can you make any comparisons, or do you know anyone that can make those comparisons?
Do you get to keep the truck at the end of the Slice of Trucker Life? Also, on the “Where are they now” page, the trucks on the map never seem to update. They have been in the same place for weeks.
Keep the rubber side down and be safe!
Craig
April 3, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Good to hear from you, Craig
I cannot answer your question as far as a fuel milage comparison but, I cannot imagine a truck being more driver friendly than the Cascadia. If you get the chance to climb inside a Cascadia shut the door. You will find that almost all the outside noise vanishes. Another thing that is different is the Detroit Diesel DD-15 engine. This revolutionary engine is not availible in the Peterbilt 387. Click over on the Detroit Diesl site and check out all the features that are only avalible with the DD-15. The slogan ( demand it all ) is a true statement. The answer to your last question is, we have to buy the Cascadia if we want to keep it at the end of the program. I couldnt imagine driving a different truck now that this truck has spoiled me in luxury, so I plan on buying it at the end.
Good luck and be safe, Henry
April 6, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Henry,
Thank you for replying to my questions. I have another one for you. Have you driven a truck with a Cummins engine? I have driven trucks with Detroit 8V92 engines, 6V92 engines, Detroit 318 engine and trucks with Cummins engines. The Detroit engines I drove were highly reliable. The one aspect I didn’t like about them compared to the Cummins was the strength of the Jake Brake. It seemed the Cummins had a much stronger Jake Brake with thee stages compared to the Detroits with a single stage. I see from the DD15 website they now have three stages for their Jake Brake. Do you know how it compares? The Cummins would hold you going down a hill, while you would always pick up speed with the Detroits. The trucks with Detroits that I drove were all in the late 70’s to mid 80’s vintage.
On the other hand, the Detroit Jakes would kick off when the RPM dropped to around 1,000 or a little lower so you didn’t have to shut the Jake off. With the Cummins that I currently own, this isn’t true. I have to manually shut the Jake off because it won’t turn off at slow speeds. What can you tell me about the new DD15 Jakes?
Thanks and I hope you break the 8 mpg mark!!
Craig
April 13, 2009 at 10:01 am
My husband and I own an “05 century. Our first. It was a Prime truck before we got it. I have no complaints for the first year but when that warrebty went out the truck went to pot. But on the fuel milage, he was averageing 6.5 and we thought we would try an air-cell. It was great. Got him up to 8 mpg. Then in Oct just before the warrenty went out the truck started misfireing and oil p. guage started bouncing and fuel mileage dropped to -5mpg. Yeah devistating. Freightliner said the turbo was about to go out. I never knew a turbo that gave you any warning. Any way no improvement. 6 weeks later freightliner replaced the turbo again. At our expense. No more warrenty. Still no improvement. Then they replaced a V pod. No fix. I finnally convinced hubby to check the air-cell. I had told him to when the truck first lost fuel milage. He said no way iot could move. But it did. It got sideways in there. So he took it out. But the problems are still there. Now the air conditioner has messed up. ATBS told him to check the electrical system. Guess what. A loose battery post got tightend up and the iol pressure guage works and the fuel milage is back up to 6.5 and the misfire has quit. AC still doesn’t work though. Find that sweet spot and that will get you the best milage.
April 13, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Johannah, Some times you just have to work through things till you find the problems. Sounds like you found yours.