Truckers News

August 2010

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speeds. “But if they would keep the left door shut, they can make time. I’ll see some of the same owner-operators pass me three or four times” in a day. Owner-operator Gary Adams of Garland, Texas, keeps his rpm between 1,200 and 1,500 when shifting. He typ- ically runs the speed limit but would drive slower if he didn’t have as many time-sensitive loads. He regularly gets 6.7 to 6.9 mpg, and once hit 8.5. Owner-operator Henry Albert of Statesville, N.C., pays attention to geography in his driving. He doesn’t stop at rest areas or truckstops that are in valleys. “I only stop at the top of hills or level ground if I can help it,” he says. “If you have to go up a big grade coming out of a truck- stop, it can cost $10 to get up to speed.” Albert runs the speed he needs to meet his deadlines. “If I’m running light and I’m not in a hurry and there’s a heavier truck ahead of me, I don’t step out to pass him. I use less fuel, and he’s breaking the air for me,” he says. Adams recommends knowing your route options well enough to make choices that can enhance fuel economy. For example, “Cement gives you better mileage than as- phalt, which seems to roll under your tires a bit,” he says. EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE How you take care of your equipment can make a differ- ence in fuel mileage. Improvements from maintenance practices such as monitoring tire pressure and changing filters add up. Kevin Koorenny of Redlands, Calif., has owned his IA80com TN DOC 060910_Layout 1 6/9/10 8:59 AM Page 1 Kevin Koorenny pays attention to maintenance items such as moni- toring tire inflation pressure and replacing air filters to maximize fuel economy on his 1996 Freightliner. 1996 Freightliner Classic since becoming an operator under his own authority six years ago. Since he’s owned it, he’s increased his fuel mileage from 4.5 to 6.5 mpg, even getting as high as 7 on occasion. “I keep my tires inflated at the level the manufactur- er recommends,” he says. “I don’t run with 95 pounds of air in my tires like a lot of people do. I check inflation every week.” Koorenny watches his air filter and replaces it every three months. “It gets a little expensive, but they are fairly cheap. I figure a clean air filter helps the engine breathe.” Checking tire pressure during your pre-trip routine will pay off. Every 10 psi a tire is underinflated reduces fuel efficiency by 1 percent. Tires flex more as speed increases. Flexing leads to in- WIN BIG! DREAMS OF CHROME. Go online to to enter for a chance to win one of 100 prizes being given away to DreamsOfChrome.com celebrate Iowa80.com’s 10th Anniversary. www.iowa80.com • Toll Free 866-4-IOWA80 TN0710 Visit www.truckersnews.hotims.com and enter 350 30 TRUCKERS NEWS AUGUST 2010 creased friction, higher tire temperatures and reduced fuel mileage. Rolling resistance increases as a tire flexes during motion. Cooler-running tires operating at lower speeds are more fuel-efficient than tires that run hotter. Replacing a dual-tire setup with one extra-wide tire increases fuel efficiency 5 percent, Michelin says. Ku- fahl says he’s improved fuel mileage by adding wide-base tires, which are on all of his drives and trailers. If you can afford it, buy an auxiliary power unit. Com- pared with burning up to a gallon of fuel per hour of idling, a fuel-efficient APU will burn only 0.1 gallon and keep you cool or warm as needed — non-diesel, battery- powered APUs are likewise on the market to eliminate fuel needed for running in-cab climate-control systems and other devices entirely. Pay attention to your oil. Oil thickens at low temper- atures, leading to increased fuel consumption. Synthetic oil is less affected by temperature, which makes it more fuel-efficient. Change your air and fuel filters at the intervals recom- mended by your truck manufacturer. Regularly inspect charge air hoses and clamps to minimize air leaks that can reduce fuel efficiency. Check your rig for proper alignment. If your tractor continued on page 79 COURTESY KEVIN KOORENNY

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