Tips For Drivers
Five of HDT's editors have CDLs and some have considerable driving experience. A few of them have been coached by some of the best professionals in the business. We have asked successful drivers how they save fuel. Here are some of the tips they've given us that really work:
• Get moving shortly after cranking over the engine, and shut it off as soon as you're parked. A modern diesel (and even most old ones) need only a few minutes to warm up in the morning, and the temperature will come up as you leave the yard or truckstop and wait at lights to get to the boulevard or highway. A hot engine and its turbocharger will likewise cool down during similar pauses while heading for a yard, customer's dock or truckstop. Except in extremely cold or hot weather, limit warm ups and cool downs to five minutes.
• "Short shift." When starting out, upshift at low RPMs in low-range gears, gradually increasing revs as road speed increases. For example, if the engine idles at 600 rpm, gently engage the clutch, let the truck start moving, then apply a little "gas." Shift to 2nd at 1,000, to 3rd at 1,100, to 4th at 1,200 and so on. This is also called progressive shifting, and can be done because you don't need the horsepower produced at higher revs until the truck approaches highway speeds, and it's true no matter what kind of truck you drive. Never rev the engine to its top governed speed (especially if it's a 2,100-rpm engine) unless you're climbing uphill and need a bit of extra time to upshift.
• Let the truck's momentum move you. We instinctively feather the accelerator to maintain speed, even on level pavement, but many times we don't have to because a heavy truck's weight alone will keep it rolling. So, get off the gas way before you approach a speed zone and are about to enter a small town, and downshift only enough to avoid bogging down the engine. Then watch as the truck drifts for blocks with no power application. This works especially well in the wee hours when streets are deserted and traffic signals are disabled or set to favor traffic on the main streets.
• "Play" with traffic lights. Sure, you learned this as a teenager when you first began driving, but maybe you've forgotten it. Approach red lights slowly and try to time your arrival at the intersections just before the light turns to green. That saves you a stop and allows you to keep moving more or less steadily.
• Get out of town and stay out. Studies have shown that stop signs, traffic lights and stop-and-go traffic consume fuel more than almost any other negative factor or bad habit. So stay on freeways until you have to make a delivery or take a rest.
• Cruise in the engine's "sweet spot." The point where power and economy are highest is around 1,450 rpm in many of today's heavy diesels and about 1,600 rpm in those made in the late '90s and early '00s. Smaller engines have sweet spots, too. Find out where they are by getting published information from engine builders, and cruise down the highway at that engine speed.
• Use cruise control. Many engines are set up to deliver more power and torque when CC is engaged, so turn it on and use it. However, CC is blind, so it doesn't know when you're coming up behind slower-moving traffic, or about to begin climbing a grade; in those cases, disengage cruise control and drive the truck manually.
• Plan ahead on upgrades. Avoid storming a hill at the highest speed possible, and instead estimate the final gear you'll need to top it. Get into that gear early and stay there, and feed the engine only the fuel it needs to sustain a speed in that gear; unless you're driving a weak engine, the right gear will not require you to floor the pedal. Then, ease off the gas as you approach the hill's crest. Upshift just before you reach the top, then stay off the gas and let the truck's momentum carry you over.
• Let gravity do the work. As you begin rolling downhill, leave the accelerator alone. Gravity will increase the truck's speed unless it's a very shallow grade or you're heading into a strong head wind; in those cases, use only the minimum amount of power to return to a sensible cruising speed. Skip-shift as speed climbs, but let revs go up if you'll need the engine brake to control your downhill speed.
• Don't overuse the engine brake. Trying to downshift too frequently to get maximum retarding power will often result in your going faster than you should - particularly when entering rest areas along the interstates - and you'll be a safety hazard and burn more fuel. You also risk missing a downshift and being stuck in Neutral with no retarding power at all. A combination of the engine brake and gentle applications of service brakes will be more smooth and cause little lining wear.
• Avoid idling the engine. Turn it off whenever you can, such as while sitting at long red lights (you know where they are if you're on a regular route), waiting for long freight trains, and especially while waiting to load or unload. Always turn off the engine when you stop and get out to use a phone booth or go in for lunch (pull the keys and lock the doors and you'll make the truck more secure, too). The cab will cool off or warm up again within minutes of your return, and while it's doing so, you can do a walk-around inspection of the truck.
In cold weather, try to avoid idling the engine overnight by using warm blankets or a sleeping bag; you'd be surprised how comfortable you can stay once you get used to it. In moderate weather, leave the windows open a little for ventilation and if you can, park upwind of other trucks to avoid their exhaust fumes. In hot weather, idle to run the air conditioner but only when you really need to.
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