Tips For Better Fuel Efficiency?

I observed what G-Town is saying about CC on an automatic yesterday.

I’m driving a 2021 Freightliner with a 12 speed automatic. When on CC, I’m also using the +/- thumb buttons to regulate my speed.

The transmission is typically cruising in 12th gear on the flats at about 1,100 RPM.

When on a slight upgrade, the CC will downshift to 10th gear. The RPM jumps to about 2,000. As the crest is reached the CC shifts back to 12th. Sometimes it went into 11th briefly.

This CC has a +5 mph feature. On a downgrade the truck will roll up speed to +5 mph above the CC set point. Then the CC starts down shifting typically to 10th gear and the Jake brake kicks in to hold the speed. At the bottom of the grade the CC will shift back to 12th.

Usually I try to anticipate the downgrade approaching and will reduce my CC set speed by -5 mph using thumb button. This has the effect of holding my actual speed constant by not allowing the truck speed to roll up by 5 mph. The CC will downshift, etc. to hold the speed.

Its hard enough to get ours to stay at 65. Over time they will slowly settle at about 63 so I periodically have to press the + button repeatedly, but only when there is no target detected in front otherwise as a safety feature, the computer will slow down the CC to the lower speed and its very time consuming and difficult to get it back to 65. As a result, I have found best results by using the cancel/resume buttons as a throttle. More like on/off. Just a quick cancel will drop 1 or 2 mph and then resume will accelerate. I use this for turns a lot. We want to go slow in, fast out. It shifts the weight forward during deacceleration on to the steers at turn entrance and gradually to the drives as you accelerate out of the turn. Very similar to racing cars and bikes. Its far more predictable for me to use it on/off than deal with the vague nature of the speed control on it.

Dealing with the fuel saving "features" is a full time job. Our trucks are programmed to coast down to 62 mph before applying throttle after a down hill section. Its particularly infuriating especially when trying to pass as a hill flattens out and goes up again, if left unattended, the truck will slow down to about 58 mph before throttling up again. To combat this, when Im on the downhill side at 68 mph, I double tap the pedal and initiate the pass smart feature, which will allow the truck to apply throttle at 65 and hold to 67. Were only allowed 30 continuous minutes a day of the pass smart per 24 hours of run time, but Ive found that if I use it for 30 seconds or less at a time, the ECM doesnt seem to recognize that ive used it, so I can effectively use it all day. I also use it extensively in fast flowing traffic areas to get past mentally deficient 4 wheelers attempting to merge.

I can care less about the 65 limit in the sense of making appointments on time, its not going to help. Its the ability to use speed control as an effective tool among others to avoid situations before they materialize that I want the extra speed for at times.

Look Harvey...I’m not arguing with you.

CC has zero to do with inattentive driving. My suggestion that Michael doesn’t completely understand the technology is obvious because of how you have described it. No idea why you prefer to debate me than to learn something about trucks that is rarely taught or even understood by our driver managers.

PackRat doesn’t use it because that’s his preference. Nothing wrong with it. His reasons are his.

Moving on... believe and think what you want Harvey. I would never attempt to offer guidance to you on farming or accounting. Point takin’?

Peace.

I'm not asking you to buy my theory but I see drivers (all types) frequently not paying attention and controlling speeds well enough in anticipation of what is happening a mile down the road. This is a big issue in some areas of California since speed limits for trucks is 55 and this causes even more crazy traffic congestion in many areas (I think it's a law that makes things more dangerous much of the time).

Why do you say Michael does not understand this technology? To me, nothing I've reported that he said indicates that. He used it quite a bit while at CR England in his Freightliner but rarely now in his KW. Do you think PackRat doesn't understand the technology? He said he doesn't use CC. The fatigue apparently isn't an issue for him. Michael's #1 reason he stated for now using it is because he can drive a bit faster without it. That is a company specific programming option.

Harvey wrote:

I think using CC can make some drivers not watch way down the road.

How can you “think” something like that? Sorry Harvey not buying into your theory. If a driver loses focus with CC set, same driver will lose focus on the pedal. Not looking ahead is a bad habit, a dangerous one that has nothing todo with CC.

Even if CC is set, pushing on the throttle when approaching a grade is all that needs to happen to gain a lower gear. Ultimately if you allow CC to adapt to the grade, it will downshift (in an auto shift truck only) automatically. Michael does not completely understand how this technology works.

Same thing when approaching heavier traffic...touch the brake and CC is disengaged. Reset and speed setting is resumed. Like previously stated by Reahl Deal, on the Highway he drives with the buttons on the steering wheel. Once in an autoshift truck, I did the exact same thing for many years.

Like I said, if Michael is more comfortable not using it, that’s fine, none the wiser. However CC is an effective tool that for some, reduces overall fatigue. He is missing out...

Not that this can ever happen, but if Michael spent one day with me on the truck, his perspective on CC will likely change.

Okay, thank you and peace to you as well and best wishes for a great day.

Look Harvey...I’m not arguing with you.

CC has zero to do with inattentive driving. My suggestion that Michael doesn’t completely understand the technology is obvious because of how you have described it. No idea why you prefer to debate me than to learn something about trucks that is rarely taught or even understood by our driver managers.

PackRat doesn’t use it because that’s his preference. Nothing wrong with it. His reasons are his.

Moving on... believe and think what you want Harvey. I would never attempt to offer guidance to you on farming or accounting. Point takin’?

Peace.

I'm not asking you to buy my theory but I see drivers (all types) frequently not paying attention and controlling speeds well enough in anticipation of what is happening a mile down the road. This is a big issue in some areas of California since speed limits for trucks is 55 and this causes even more crazy traffic congestion in many areas (I think it's a law that makes things more dangerous much of the time).

Why do you say Michael does not understand this technology? To me, nothing I've reported that he said indicates that. He used it quite a bit while at CR England in his Freightliner but rarely now in his KW. Do you think PackRat doesn't understand the technology? He said he doesn't use CC. The fatigue apparently isn't an issue for him. Michael's #1 reason he stated for now using it is because he can drive a bit faster without it. That is a company specific programming option.

Harvey wrote:

I think using CC can make some drivers not watch way down the road.

How can you “think” something like that? Sorry Harvey not buying into your theory. If a driver loses focus with CC set, same driver will lose focus on the pedal. Not looking ahead is a bad habit, a dangerous one that has nothing todo with CC.

Even if CC is set, pushing on the throttle when approaching a grade is all that needs to happen to gain a lower gear. Ultimately if you allow CC to adapt to the grade, it will downshift (in an auto shift truck only) automatically. Michael does not completely understand how this technology works.

Same thing when approaching heavier traffic...touch the brake and CC is disengaged. Reset and speed setting is resumed. Like previously stated by Reahl Deal, on the Highway he drives with the buttons on the steering wheel. Once in an autoshift truck, I did the exact same thing for many years.

Like I said, if Michael is more comfortable not using it, that’s fine, none the wiser. However CC is an effective tool that for some, reduces overall fatigue. He is missing out...

Not that this can ever happen, but if Michael spent one day with me on the truck, his perspective on CC will likely change.

My current fuel mileage ranking

Yes Harvey 55 is Calif's max for trucks BUT, you can go 62 without CHP ever bothering you ! lol 63+ then you/we may have a CHP want to have a chat...Was told this by a CHP officer once, and confirmed by my mentor who also was told by 1 of em lol

Yes, now day's, just try to stick to 55 mph, it's almost impossible, and creates back ups. When everyone in 4 wheelers are doing 70+ all day long. Those small cars think it's an autobahn.

There's 2 kinds of Prius drivers, #1 drive like bats outta hell, and 2nd drive like lil ole ladies from Pasadena hahaha. those tiny "smart cars" OMG seen some doin' 90 mph friggin crazies must wanna die fast

55 is long outdated, when they used "fuel mileage" as the reason wayyyy back when.....And gas was only 60+cents, a gallon