Page 5 - Summer 2020 Travelore 50

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What You Can Control
Vehicle Operating Techniques. Proper operation, driving techniques, and maintenance are key factors in getting the maximum service life and econ- omy from your engine.
Excessive speed decreases fuel econ- omy. In addition, excessive idling, operating the vehicle in the wrong gear plus accelerating and decelerat- ing rapidly all consume extra fuel. It has been estimated that proper driv- ing technique can account for a 30% variation in fuel economy.
The following is a short list of behav- iors exhibited by those drivers that consistently obtain good fuel econ- omy:
• Simple behaviors, like coasting to a stop instead of staying on the accelerator until the last minute and then braking hard, add up to significant fuel savings after thousands of miles.
• High average vehicle speeds with minimum time spent at maximum vehicle speed.
• High percent trip distance in top gear (90+ % recom- mended).
• High percent distance in cruise control.
• Minimum percent idle operation.
• Minimum service brake activity.
• Number of Sudden Decelerations.
• Service Brake Actuation’s/1000 mi.
• Avoid rapid starts: Low rpm’s = better fuel economy. Take off gently and don’t “wind out” the engine in the lower gears.
• Drive Deep, coast when possible: Any time that you can coast the vehicle in gear, you will be using zero fuel.
• Use the transmission’s Economy Mode.
• Plan ahead for hills (keep air flowing to the engine): While some RV’s have hydraulically driven cooling
fans, most are directly belt driven by the engine. Lower engine rpm means lower fan speed. In a hill, you may need to shift down a gear to keep adequate air flowing through the radiator and the air to air aftercooler.
• Avoid hot engine shutdowns: This will extend the life of the turbocharger.
• Limit warm-up and idle time: Today’s electronic engines don’t need long warm-up periods. Typically, the engine should be at normal operating tempera- ture in a few minutes. Begin operating the engine at a low load. Once the normal oil pressure is reached, and the temperature gauges begin to rise, you can safely operate at full load. Long warm-ups or exces- sive idling can cause carbon buildup or even slobber out the exhaust. Generally, if you are parking for more than 5 minutes, shut off the engine. If you must idle the engine for an extended time, control the idle speed to 1000 rpm.
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DRVC Travelore - Page 5
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT FACTORS INFLUENCING COACH MPG
FACTORS % PENALTY
DRIVER
• Worst to Best Drivers – (6.0 - 7.5 MPG) 20%
ROUTE
• Interstate vs Congested Road – (up to 1.3 MPG) 20%
VEHICLE SPEED
• 60 vs 70 MPH 9 0.8 MPG / Aero dependent) 12%
CLIMATE
• Summer (70° F or higher) vs Winter (30° F) – (0.75 MPG) 12% • Wind / Terrain - (0.75 MPG) 12%
FUEL
• #2D (API 35) vs Winter Blend (API 38) – (0.15 MPG) 2.5% • #2D (API 35) vs Kerosene (API 48) – (0.9 MPG) 14%
GCW
• 55,000 lb vs. 45,000 lb @ 65 MPH – (0.55 MPG) 8.5%
TIRES
• New vs.Worn lo profile radial tires – (0.15 MPG) 2.5%
IDLE TIME
• 20% vs. 10% idle time – (0/09 MPG) 1.5%
NOTE: 10% = $350 / Year (Assuming 7,500 miles / 6.5 MPG / $3.00 per gallon)