Commercial driver's guide to operation, safety and licensing

• Back off the accelerator when going
over the top of a hill and let gravity and
momentum do the work.
• Use cruise control where appropriate.
• Reduce your average speed -
driving fast eats up fuel no matter
what you drive.
• Change gears smoothly - shifting
professionally will result in about 30%
improvement in operating costs.
• Always use the clutch, failure to do so
can wear the gear teeth down in the
transmission.
• Practice progressive gear shifting at
approximately 1600 rpm. Shifting before
you reach the maximum governed rpm
reduces equipment wear, decreases
noise levels and saves fuel.
• Run the engine in the highest gear
range to keep it in a low rev range.
• Use your retarder properly and turn it off
when you do not need it - let the terrain
work for you.
Idling
Idling a truck engine burns up to four
litres of fuel per hour at 900 rpm. Turn
off your engine when you stop for any
length of time - you will save fuel, reduce
maintenance requirements, prolong engine
life and prevent unnecessary emissions.
If a 10-truck fleet were to cut idling by
an hour a day for 260 days, it would
save approximately 10,400 litres of fuel
($11,440 at $1.10 per litre). A 100-truck
fleet would save $114,400 and a 500-truck
fleet $572,000.
Taking advantage of
technology
New engine designs offer great benefits,
delivering more horsepower and torque
in lower rpm ranges. You can downshift
at about 1200 rpm and up-shift at about
1600 rpm - rather than 2000 rpm.
You shift less, save money, and
generate fewer emissions.
Keeping up with road
conditions
Smart, fuel-efficient driving is also safe
driving. Different road and traffic conditions
present different challenges. As a driver,
it’s important for you to keep the following
in mind:
• Light: Adjust your driving based on
visibility. Wear sunglasses in bright
conditions and reduce speed in poor
light conditions.
• Posture: Keep your seat adjusted to the
correct position for comfort, alertness,
visibility and access to controls.
• Traffic: Try to travel at the same speed
as other traffic, staying within the speed
limit. Be considerate and give way to
other drivers.
Street smart
Managing your road speed with smart
driving techniques allows you to keep your
speed more constant and increase fuel
efficiency. Generally, for every 10 km/h
over 90km/h you use 10% more fuel.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Fueling and Fuel Efficiency 93