I’ve been driving the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution since November of 2012. The truck has just reached the 100,000 mile mark and has just completed its second oil change. Once again, during the 50,000 mile oil change interval, there was no makeup oil needed. This has always been an attribute of the Detroit DD15 engine. In the past, 15 W/40 was used and now we’re using thinner 10 W/30 and still there has been less than a quart of consumption in the 50,000 mile oil change service interval.


The fuel mileage results for the 100,291 mile point comes in at 9.518 mpg. There’s been a lot of interest on how much the “Trailer Tail” has added to my fuel mileage. The lifetime fuel mileage before adding the “Trailer Tail” was 9.394 for 82,049 miles. The fuel mileage since adding the “Trailer Tail” has come in at 10.003 mpg. for 18,242 miles. My cruise speed has been 62-63 mph with an average weight load of approximately 62,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight.


To date, I’m very pleased with the results of the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution in relation to fuel mileage, reliability and comfort. Also, I’m thrilled at the performance of the Detroit DT12 AMT Transmission at the 100,000 mile mark. It’s spoiling me with its skip shifting capability and its choice of gears. I rarely ever put the transmission into manual mode anymore. Another figure I’m astounded by is the fact that the transmission is generally in E-Coast mode over 17% of the time. The results of this new technology have saved me countless gallons of fuel while driving this remarkable truck.


Looking forward, I have a few goals of my own to set in regards to the truck. The first goal I would like to achieve 11 plus mpg on an entire fuel run. The 11 mpg mark has been surpassed by the Cascadia Evolution on many days however it’s not been able to maintain that number for an entire fuel run. In fact, the record for one day was 12.3 mpg for 430 miles at 68,000 GVW. I’m sure that I’ll get there as to date there are quite a few 10.8’s on the books and more recently a 10.981 which was so close to the 11 mpg mark that I could taste it. Another goal is to move the lifetime fuel mileage of the truck to over 10 mpg.


Stay tuned as we move forward in hopes to reach even higher fuel mileage with the Cascadia Evolution.

 
 

 

Comments (7)

Henry Albert

Henry Albert is the owner of Albert Transport, Inc., based in Statesville, NC. Before participating in the "Slice of Life" program, Albert drove a 2001 Freightliner Century Class S/Tâ„¢, and will use his Cascadia for general freight and a dry van trailer. Albert, who has been a trucker since 1983, was recognized by Overdrive as its 2007 Trucker of the Year.

Read These Next...

TRUCK Smart

10,000-Mile Update

July 17, 2013

TRUCK Smart

Open Deck Fun

June 15, 2021

 
 

James,
Warning...once you get started at the MPG game theres no turning back. Thanks for the kind comment.

September 25, 2013 8:32:50 AM

What a great series of articles. You have not only inspired me, but several of my fellow drivers to see what it takes to improve fuel mileage. Thank You!!!

September 23, 2013 17:08:00 PM

Henry,
I have no doubt that you will make the 11 mpg mark very soon. If anyone can do it you can. 12.3 mpg for 430 miles at 68,000 lbs is amazing. Just a few short years ago that was completely unheard of. People would have wondered what drugs you were taking if you were talking those numbers. Great job!

September 23, 2013 14:00:06 PM

Great report Henry!

September 23, 2013 9:12:30 AM

Jeff,
The trailer tail added a 6.08 % increase or almost a half mile per gallon . To get the same type of fuel mileage I am getting with the trailer tail I needed to drop my speed to 55MPH . Here is the avg. for last 5 tankfuls before the tail 10.093 and here is the avg.for last 5 tankfuls after adding the tail 10.403 . The average over the long haul is showing a greater increase than this smaller sample .

September 23, 2013 7:16:49 AM

I am interested in the marginal fuel mileage increase with the trailer tail. What was your avg. fuel mileage average for the 5 tans previous to adding the tail.

September 23, 2013 5:50:00 AM

I am interested in the marginal fuel mileage increase with the trailer tail. What was your avg. fuel mileage average for the 5 tans previous to adding the tail.

September 23, 2013 5:49:57 AM