Secrets to Better Fuel Economy

[JavaJelly]

Just found this on the Cummins website. Interesting, interesting even though it is targeted more at truck drivers.

Cummins MPG Guide - Secrets to Better Fuel Economy

Below is their summary. I was surprised at the impact of new tires vs. broken in tires.

Rock-Solid Rules
§ Every 2% reduction in aerodynamic drag results in approximately 1% improvement
in fuel economy.

§ Above 55 mph, each 1 mph increase in vehicle speed decreases fuel economy by
0.1 mpg.

§ Worn tires provide better fuel economy than new tires, up to 7% better fuel economy.

§ Used lug drive tires can get up to 0.4 mpg better than new lug tires.

§ Ribbed tires on the drive axles provide 2–4% better fuel economy than lugged tires.

§ Every 10 psi that a tire is underinflated reduces fuel economy by 1%.

§ The break-in period for tires is between 35,000 and 50,000 miles.

§ Tires make biggest difference in mpg below around 50 mph; aerodynamics is the
most important factor over around 50 mph.

§ The most efficient drivers get about 30% better fuel economy than the least efficient
drivers.

§ Idle time is costly. Every hour of idle time in a long-haul operation can decrease fuel
efficiency by 1%.

[JavaJelly]

Just found this on the Cummins website. Interesting, interesting even though it is targeted more at truck drivers.

Cummins MPG Guide - Secrets to Better Fuel Economy

Below is their summary. I was surprised at the impact of new tires vs. broken in tires.

Rock-Solid Rules
§ Every 2% reduction in aerodynamic drag results in approximately 1% improvement
in fuel economy.

§ Above 55 mph, each 1 mph increase in vehicle speed decreases fuel economy by
0.1 mpg.

§ Worn tires provide better fuel economy than new tires, up to 7% better fuel economy.

§ Used lug drive tires can get up to 0.4 mpg better than new lug tires.

§ Ribbed tires on the drive axles provide 2–4% better fuel economy than lugged tires.

§ Every 10 psi that a tire is underinflated reduces fuel economy by 1%.

§ The break-in period for tires is between 35,000 and 50,000 miles.

§ Tires make biggest difference in mpg below around 50 mph; aerodynamics is the
most important factor over around 50 mph.

§ The most efficient drivers get about 30% better fuel economy than the least efficient
drivers.

§ Idle time is costly. Every hour of idle time in a long-haul operation can decrease fuel
efficiency by 1%.

[Lug_Nut]

I have read it before. It is a real eye opener. The tire beak-in of 35 to 50k is amazing.

Peter

[footdoc]

The way most motorhomes are travelling, the sidewalls poop out before the tire is even broken in...hope that doesnt happen with my ENGINE

[JerryKelly]

Since I am not retired, every hour I save on the road is more valuable than the fuel savings. At the moment, my fuel economy is approx 6.5 mpg, with or without the Suburban toad.

[heybc]

I found that the largest factor is speed. Slowed down and went from 7 to 8-8.5. Slower is safer also. I only go faster than 60 when necessary due to traffic conditions. I found that I am less tense annd tired after a day on the road and it doesn't make all that much dif in travel time.