EDGE-CUTTING 7T9127 - Caterpillar

Vehicle Efficiency
An efficient vehicle performs the desired amount of work while the power demand on the engine is minimized. The following factors are major contributors to power demand:
Aerodynamic drag (wind resistance)
Rolling resistance of the tires
Gross weight of the vehicle
Losses in the drive train and the load from the engine driven accessoriesFor more information about vehicle efficiency, refer to Special Publication, LEDT2254, "CAT Answers Your Questions About Truck Performance".Fuel Economy
Fuel is the largest single operating cost of today's on-highway vehicle engines. Improved fuel economy can have a substantial impact on operating profit. The following items are the most significant factors that influence vehicle fuel economy:
Driver techniques
Vehicle efficiency
Operating conditions
Engine efficiencyA No. 1 grade of fuel contains less energy per volume and increases fuel consumption. A greater volume of fuel must be injected in order to yield the same amount of work as a No. 2 fuel. The difference in the fuel economy between the two grades of fuel can be as great as 0.2 km/L (0.5 mpg) to 0.3 km/L (0.7 mpg).Engines with the serial number (S/N: DPF) require special diesel fuel. The fuel must contain less than 15 ppm sulfur.For more information about fuel economy, refer to Special Publication, LEDT2254, "CAT Answers Your Questions About Truck Performance".Rolling hills provide a great opportunity to reduce fuel consumption. Avoid downshifting on small hills. The vehicle should not be downshifted even if the engine must be lugged down to an rpm that is below the peak torque rpm. When the vehicle is going down a hill, use gravity instead of the engine's power to regain vehicle speed.On grades that require more than one downshift, allow the engine to lug to peak torque rpm. If the rpm stabilizes with the engine running at peak torque rpm or above peak torque rpm remain in that gear.Long steep down grades should be anticipated. Vehicle speed should be reduced before cresting the top of a hill and proceeding down a long steep grade. Minimize the amount of braking that is used in order to maintain a safe speed for maximizing fuel efficiency.The engine's ability to hold the vehicle back increases with engine rpm. Select a gear that runs the engine near the high engine rpm limit for long steep hills when braking is required.Speed reductions and future stops should be anticipated. Downshifts should be avoided. The amount of braking should be minimized in order to improve fuel consumption. By coasting to a stop, a vehicle can travel a considerable distance without consuming any fuel.Cruising
Vehicles that are driven faster consume more fuel. Increasing the cruising speed from 88 km/h (55 mph) to 104 km/h (65 mph) will increase the fuel consumption of a typical Class 8 vehicle by approximately 0.4 km/L (1 mpg). When a vehicle is driven fast in order to allow more time for stops, the stops become very expensive. Cruising allows the engine to operate in the most efficient rpm range (1400 to 2000 rpm).Cruise Control
The functionality of the cruise control can vary depending