Im set at 89 and rarely run more than 40t, looking at the trip computer now ive done 1080km this week on reasonably light work and im averaging 11.44mpg (i do understand that the computer isnt perfect), i dont kick the arse end out of the truck but do get a move on when the road opens up. My aim every week is atleast 10mpg or if ive been running heavy above 9.50.
Our new 62 plate scanias at 3663 are all set to 80kph, all are 2 pedal opticruise and we run microlise too. They have really invested in fuel savings and believe that running at 80kph is saving fuel. Sits just below 1500rpm.
Now 3 of our trucks have been upped to 56mph as they are used for trunking and they run over the green band,about 1700rpm on the limiter. They use more fuel as are running constantly over the green band.
So this does show it saves fuel in ‘our’ trucks. Ours are only p230’s which are more than man enough for carting food about,average 3-4 ton a day so not really worked hard.
Driving in manual saves a lot of fuel as the autobox as some have said at low speeds is a bit dim witted and can easily get confused… Bit like me lol
Simon:
My boss got me an auto truck.
If he’d wanted me to drive a manual, he’d have got me a manual, so I leave it in auto.
When the need arises, I’ll knock it down a gear or two manually, but the rest of the time it stays in auto.
.
that’s exactly what my driver trainer gets told!!!
SteveBarnsleytrucker:
dont know why we cant run on red diesel like busses and farmers can as i always thought we run an essential service like they do i.e without trucks the country gets nowt!
Used to be a good advantage at 3.5ppl, and white was 35ppl, now red is 70ppl. Do buses run on red?
Carryfast:
If NO2 emissions from vehicles is as poisonous as they say then how do they explain the fact that some of us have grown up from an early age into middle/old age to date living amongst traffic which was subject to no emissions controls and in addition sometimes worked around vehicles which involved breathing in large quantities of exhaust emissions and also in some cases spent a lot of our spare time around private vehicles such as racing environments etc etc with no health effects whatsoever.
No doubt the believers will probably use some bs argument concerning some people having more tolerance to it than others when the fact is human physiology is all equal and the same.It’s either a ‘highly poisonous’ emission to humans or it’s not.If it’s the former then it would have shown up in massive numbers of casualties by now.Myself being one of them.
Could I respectfully suggest you Google “asthma”?
Harry Monk:
Carryfast:
If NO2 emissions from vehicles is as poisonous as they say then how do they explain the fact that some of us have grown up from an early age into middle/old age to date living amongst traffic which was subject to no emissions controls and in addition sometimes worked around vehicles which involved breathing in large quantities of exhaust emissions and also in some cases spent a lot of our spare time around private vehicles such as racing environments etc etc with no health effects whatsoeverNo doubt the believers will probably use some bs argument concerning some people having more tolerance to it than others when the fact is human physiology is all equal and the same.It’s either a ‘highly poisonous’ emission to humans or it’s not.If it’s the former then it would have shown up in massive numbers of casualties by now.Myself being one of them.
Could I respectfully suggest you Google “asthma”?
Why when there’s obviously no connection,because having been subject to obviously large amounts of so called poisonous, to humans,exhaust emissions,as described above,I’ve never suffered from asthma. 
Carryfast:
Why when there’s obviously no connection because having been subject to obviously large amounts of so called poisonous, to humans,exhaust emissions as described above I’ve never suffered from asthma.
Oh well, that proves it then. 
What’s your theory as to why there has been a massive increase in asthma since the 1970’s, the decade after motoring became a mainstream activity?
Have you ever been on a London tube train? Have you ever noticed all that black gunk you have to hoik out of your nose afterwards? Do you really think there is no difference between air you breathe in the countryside and air you breathe standing next to Spaghetti junction?
Funnily enough did anyone else hear that report that showed that violent crime numbers have dropped since lead was outlawed in petrol?
Apparently its use was abolished in the US in the 70’s and they experienced the same drop in figures too.
@shep, thanks for explaining what ‘Airtabs’ are. Some of Kenyons lorries have them, I always think it looks like the air deflector has fallen off
As for the 52mph debate, one of the lads does it on a voluntary basis, whereas I drive around as fast as I can go and I beat his fuel figures every week. Don’t forget slow is smooth, smooth is fast…
BTW, turning the bloody thing off when you’re not using it tends to improve fuel consumption.
W
Harry Monk:
Carryfast:
Why when there’s obviously no connection because having been subject to obviously large amounts of so called poisonous, to humans,exhaust emissions as described above I’ve never suffered from asthma.Oh well, that proves it then.
What’s your theory as to why there has been a massive increase in asthma since the 1970’s, the decade after motoring became a mainstream activity?
Have you ever been on a London tube train? Have you ever noticed all that black gunk you have to hoik out of your nose afterwards? Do you really think there is no difference between air you breathe in the countryside and air you breathe standing next to Spaghetti junction?
As I’ve said what does it matter what ‘the theory’ is as to the cause of asthma.In this case all that matters is the question as to wether it’s actually caused by exhaust emissions or not.In which case it seems obvious that if there are human examples out there,who’ve beeen subject to large amounts of exhaust emissions,in probably larger amounts over the years than just standing near to spaghetti junction,bearing in mind that period covers every year since the 1970’s and before that during the 1960’s,when traffic levels werent exactly negligible,in the mainly urban environment of Greater London in which I grew up,and then a working life and spare time spent breathing in more than my share of diesel and petrol exhaust emissions,with no history of ever having suffered from asthma,then obviously exhaust emissions aren’t the cause.
As for the tube train example that would actually support the case that people are being subject to something that’s obviously more of a problem on tube trains than in the street,and/or working around trucks breathing in loads of exhaust fumes.Although on the very few occasions that I’ve ever used a tube train I’ve never found that problem.
the maoster:
Funnily enough did anyone else hear that report that showed that violent crime numbers have dropped since lead was outlawed in petrol?Apparently its use was abolished in the US in the 70’s and they experienced the same drop in figures too.
In which case how do they explain all those who didn’t get involved in violent crime but who’d been exposed to exactly the same leaded petrol emissions.The whole thing is like the bs global warming theory in which figures and statistics are just used to make a political point.The real reason why lead was removed from fuel was because it wrecks catalytic converters which just like reducing CO2 were a solution to a non existent problem.Which is why loads of people go to the Goodwood Revival every year spending loads of time subject to loads of leaded petrol fumes with no health problems whatsoever.
Carryfast:
There’s “head in the sand” and then there’s “HEAD in the SAND” 
AlexWignall:
turning the bloody thing off when you’re not using it tends to improve fuel consumption.W
Tend to see Agy drivers do it the most @ our place, fire the thing up as so as they get in then get themselves sorted or during coupling/uncoupling…
Pimpdaddy:
AlexWignall:
turning the bloody thing off when you’re not using it tends to improve fuel consumption.W
Tend to see Agy drivers do it the most @ our place, fire the thing up as so as they get in then get themselves sorted or during coupling/uncoupling…
The regular Agency lads that we have know better than to try any of that crap. Ask politely the first time, second time take the keys and hand them in to the office.
Contary to what other posters might think. Poor fuel consumption isn’t going to stop your boss or mine buying a new Range Rover but it will stop your and more importantly, my wages going up.
W
Saaamon:
Im set at 89 and rarely run more than 40t, looking at the trip computer now ive done 1080km this week on reasonably light work and im averaging 11.44mpg (i do understand that the computer isnt perfect), i dont kick the arse end out of the truck but do get a move on when the road opens up. My aim every week is atleast 10mpg or if ive been running heavy above 9.50.
One of the few advantages of Ferry Trailers is that they are only four metres high. The other is the typical payload, unless it’s shipping to Scandinavia…
W
Some national express coaches are set at a few kph below 100 to save fuel. Is it a good idea ? I thought express coaches should go as fast as legally allowed to be a worthy alternative to the car.
What about over reading speedos? There was a story of an express train showing 125 but actually doing 121. It was rectified.
Carryfast:
the maoster:
Funnily enough did anyone else hear that report that showed that violent crime numbers have dropped since lead was outlawed in petrol?Apparently its use was abolished in the US in the 70’s and they experienced the same drop in figures too.
In which case how do they explain all those who didn’t get involved in violent crime but who’d been exposed to exactly the same leaded petrol emissions.The whole thing is like the bs global warming theory in which figures and statistics are just used to make a political point.The real reason why lead was removed from fuel was because it wrecks catalytic converters which just like reducing CO2 were a solution to a non existent problem.Which is why loads of people go to the Goodwood Revival every year spending loads of time subject to loads of leaded petrol fumes with no health problems whatsoever.
Maybe no “apparent” health problems, cf. But my contention has more to do with the possibility of brain damage. Why do you think that the vast majority of old lorry drivers (you & me included) are complete nutters?
Retired Old ■■■■:
Carryfast:
the maoster:
Funnily enough did anyone else hear that report that showed that violent crime numbers have dropped since lead was outlawed in petrol?Apparently its use was abolished in the US in the 70’s and they experienced the same drop in figures too.
In which case how do they explain all those who didn’t get involved in violent crime but who’d been exposed to exactly the same leaded petrol emissions.The whole thing is like the bs global warming theory in which figures and statistics are just used to make a political point.The real reason why lead was removed from fuel was because it wrecks catalytic converters which just like reducing CO2 were a solution to a non existent problem.Which is why loads of people go to the Goodwood Revival every year spending loads of time subject to loads of leaded petrol fumes with no health problems whatsoever.
Maybe no “apparent” health problems, cf. But my contention has more to do with the possibility of brain damage. Why do you think that the vast majority of old lorry drivers (you & me included) are complete nutters?
It was only the higher 99-100 octane 5 star petrol that had significant amounts of lead in it although even that was negligable from the point of view of pollution levels in the atmosphere.As I’ve said it was only because catalytic converters were introduced in cars that produced the requirement for lead free petrol because those are sensitive to even the smallest amounts of lead in the exhaust which wrecks them.It had nothing to do with the small trace amounts,if that,of lead in exhaust emissions driving anyone mad.While the highest amounts of lead in petrol are still used now in 105 + octane aviation petrol and racing petrol and airport workers and pilots and racing drivers and racing spectators are amongst the most intelligent people out there.
However the really nasty stuff is nitro used in drag racing but even that’s harmless enough for everyone to go home safe so long as you’re in the open and not too close to it in which case you need to be using chemical warfare kit. 
rob22888:
Trev_H:
Good fuel consumption starts in the planning department ! A drivers contribution amounts to nothing if the route and load planning is crap to start with.+2.
There must be something in this 85kph lark, so many companies wouldnt be doing it otherwise. Regardless though, i am pretty sure that most fuel saving efforts made by companies and drivers are totally wiped out by ropey route planning.
+3
Look at UPS supposedly saving millions of miles and fuel simply by banning right turns.
I’m suprised firms don’t pay more attention to tyres.
Pressures can affetc fuel consuption so make sure the old boot guage is calibrated once in a while.
AlexWignall:
Saaamon:
Im set at 89 and rarely run more than 40t, looking at the trip computer now ive done 1080km this week on reasonably light work and im averaging 11.44mpg (i do understand that the computer isnt perfect), i dont kick the arse end out of the truck but do get a move on when the road opens up. My aim every week is atleast 10mpg or if ive been running heavy above 9.50.One of the few advantages of Ferry Trailers is that they are only four metres high. The other is the typical payload, unless it’s shipping to Scandinavia…
W
Thats very true, the only time i run heavy is if loaded recycled bales of plastic but havnt done much of that late thankfully! I think i could get even better fuel consumption if the 5th wheel was moved forward abit, still got about half a foot but for starts i dont want to move it because i’ll at best smash the lights at worse the cab and from time to time i have a bulker on so it would need moving back everytime.