Comments on: Drive Like a Trucker for Great Fuel Economy

By: Billy Jones

Billy Jones — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:38:18 +0000

I spent 28 years trucking– you’re pretty close to the mark.

I’ll also add that in the few states where it is still allowed, truckers can up fuel mileage and get to their destinations faster by driving side by side in high traffic situations where they control everyone’s speed and prevent the stop and go traffic that everyone hates.

Sadly, most people in cars aren’t smart enough to realize the truckers are doing them a favor and too many will make any sort of stupid move to pass the trucks returning everyone back into the traffic jam situations the truckers were trying to prevent.

I’ve actually had State Troopers call me on the CB and ask that I drive in the left lane beside another truck to control traffic.

Sadly, more and more states are restricting trucks to fewer and fewer lanes with the end result being more and longer fuel wasting traffic jams.

Texaswheelman mentioned progressive shifting… Progressive shifting is so engrained in my mind that I even use progressive shifting on my motorcycle. If only I could get my bike to skip shift.

By: Texaswheelman

Texaswheelman — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:24:30 +0000

My pleasure. It’s amazing how much of a difference can be made with driving habits. Trucks have gotten more aerodynamic for the sake of fuel mileage, but I’ve seen drivers get 7 mpg out of fully loaded (80,000 lbs) Freightliner Classics, the ones with the long, square, very UN-aerodynamic front ends. Road speed and engine load make a huge impact on fuel economy.

By: Benjamin Jones

Benjamin Jones — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:11:44 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Texaswheelman! Good to hear from an actual trucker that I’m not completely off the mark

By: Texaswheelman

Texaswheelman — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:40:27 +0000

I drive a truck for a living. Good info. Another thing that has come around is progressive shifting, where you only rev the engine high enough to shift into the next gear, in the lower gears. As you gain speed and get into the higher gears, rev the engine a little more with each gear to get the power needed. Truckers still use CB radios, and there are good compact ones that can easily be used in a 4-wheeler if you don’t want a big antenna stuck to your vehicle. Listen on channel 19 for a while and you’ll be able to get info on speed traps, lane closures, etc.

By: Drive Like a Trucker for Great Fuel Economy « The Android Life

Drive Like a Trucker for Great Fuel Economy « The Android Life — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:22:08 +0000

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By: boxer3main

boxer3main — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:38:19 +0000

great blog! I was brought up by a trucker. I even had a 3 speed auto lugging. Today it is finding an engine designed for torque more than crazy rpm (the torque number will exceed the hp number if you are searching). Not many do this today. Inline transverse, the number one sale for economy, has no concept of it at all. Quite backwards, and difficult to drive with discipline. An old boxer engine, like my nickname, is famous for this very quest…make taller gears and go with it..like a trucker. the next traffic bottreneck reveals the integrity of patience…every time.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:30:02 +0000

I agree 100%. Now if I can just get my wife to go along with it. When she’s riding next to me I get these reactions.

While DWL up a hill she complains: “Why are you going so slow?”

I try to educate her, but she still just thinks I’m wasting valuable time and just getting to our destination later.

Randy