This week, I will be switching from my current 2013 Freightliner Cascadia Evolution to the new 2015 Cascadia Evolution featuring IDP (Integrated Detroit Powertrain.) Freightliner has been using this truck for various promotions around the country for the last year. Some of you may have already viewed this truck in articles or on YouTube videos demonstrating the Detroit Assurance Package.
Upon looking back, when I drove the 2010 Cascadia , I was able to achieve a lifetime fuel average of 8.7 mpg. This mileage figure along with the following figures is based on mileage calculated on pen
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Every detail adds up to improved fuel efficiency !  |
and paper by fuel pump numbers not ECM data. The current truck which I’ll be turning in this week has achieved a lifetime fuel mileage average of 9.7 mpg. This truck recorded an amazing 1 mile per gallon increase in its lifetime average. What contributed to this increase? Each of these trucks are the same color, have the same engine, ParkSmart HVAC and they both have an automated manual transmission. The difference in these two trucks is the 20 inch cab extenders, shortened wheel base of 225 inch vs 232 inches and the Evolution cab and engine economy package. Also, another difference is the 2010 had an Eaton Ultra shift 13 speed transmission coupled to a Meritor 3.42 fuel lite 6x2 real axle configuration. The 2012 had a Detroit DT12 direct drive automated manual transmission coupled to a Meritor 2.50 axle ratio Meritor fuel lite rear axle configuration. The rpm’s on these two configurations are nearly identical in high gear. The difference is the Detroit DT12 direct drive transmission is not turning the overdrive gears when cruising at highway speeds which leads to increased fuel efficiency. Many have asked me how the direct drive pulls? The answer is that you cannot tell the difference between the two in regards to pulling ability. The difference is purely fuel mileage. There is another addition which added to the increased mileage however was not related to the truck itself. This is the addition of the AT
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| My goals for fuel mileage were exceeded several times . |
Dynamics Trailer Tail. The before and after result of adding the Trailer Tail increased my fuel efficiency in excess of 6% over my initial results of the Cascadia Evolution.
My original goal when I began driving this truck was to record a tankful of fuel above 10 mpg. This goal was exceeded by a few tanks above 11 mpg. Also, this truck was able to achieve 10 mpg for an entire month. The one goal which kept coming up a bit short was on attaining a quarterly IFTA report above 10 mpg. The best I was able to achieve was 9.995 mpg. This was very close but didn’t quite make the mark. In reality, I actually could have successfully attained an over 10 mpg IFTA report had I not fueled up just as the quarter ended as I didn’t have any miles to report against that particular tankful.
As I turn the current truck in, it will have approximately 234k miles on the odometer. I would have had substantially more miles put on however it was needed at the test track for over six months at which time I went back to the basics driving a rental truck during that time period. The truck received routine maintenance and never required any make up oil between the 50,000 mile engine service intervals. In fact, the oil level never really changed during each interval. The only negative issue I experienced with
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| Windshield repair shops were visited more than normal the last two years. |
this truck was the numerous times that I had stones/rocks hit the windshield. Much of this has to do with the fact that I drive through oil field country in Texas. I’ve had rocks thrown from the wheel assembly of low-boy trailers which were going the opposite direction on the highway. Interestingly, one windshield was broken when there were no other vehicles anywhere around me and no overpasses. This either had to be a stray bullet, meteorite or one tough bug. This was my crazy couple of years with broken windshields.
The success of my 2013 Freightliner Cascadia Evolution would not be possible without all of the trailer aerodynamic improvements which include NoseCone, Fleet Engineers, AeroSaver Side Skirts/AeroFlap Mudflap, FlowBelow Aerokit , Michelin Wide-Base single tires and the already mentioned AT
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| The goal is to reduce visits to this device . |
Dynamics Trailer Tail.
I’m looking forward to stepping into the new truck with a future goal of attaining a lifetime mileage in excess of 10 mpg. I will keep you posted and give you details as things progress.