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How to get the most from your Cat engine.

These are drivers engines.


Russ Siegel, Cat Test and Demo Driver

Gear it right to get results.


The goal: Use correct engine cruise speed. 1750 lb-ft @ 1300-1350 rpm 1650 lb-ft @ 1350-1400 rpm

Practice progressive shifting.


Dont bump the governor.  Shift up as soon as you have enough rpm to grab the next higher gear. Saves fuel, easier on the drivetrain.

Dont be afraid to let the engine rpm pull back on a grade.


Ive driven trucks for more than 28 years, eight of those as an owner-operator. All kinds of equipment, all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico. I believe that driven properly, Cat engines offer the best performance and fuel economy on the road today.
When youre pulling a long grade, be patient. Wait until around 1100-1200 rpm to downshift. Letting the engine rpm pull back on grades wont hurt Cat engines.

Use the cruise and slow down.


Electronic cruise control saves fuel, makes driving easier. Think twice about the cruise speed you choose. Every mile per hour over 55 cuts fuel economy by .1 mpg.

Remember, torque moves the load.


Torque moves the load, horsepower determines how fast it moves.  Staying in the preferred torque range of 1300-1400 rpm keeps the engine operating more efficiently, puts more profit in your pocket.  Unless youre a heavy hauler who needs to run above 1500 rpm to maintain momentum, try to avoid it.

Follow these driving tips to get the most from your Cat engine mile after mile.

Experience tells me these engines get the job done.


Ken Nolte, Cat Test and Demo Driver Since I got my commercial drivers license in 1975, Ive driven most all kinds of trucks hauling all types of freight. Ive been a company driver and an owner-operator, and have more than 2 million miles under my belt. I know truck enginesand I know the new Cat engines really perform.

Take a break from idle time.


Cat engines dont require long warm-up and cool down periods. At start-up, go easy on the throttle while the engines cold. For cool down, three minutes of idle time should be enough.  Cutting idle time from 50% to 25% can improve fuel economy by up to 4%.

Make the most of momentum.


Let your trucks momentum work for you to save fuel. Coasting in gear allows all the fuel to return to the tank.  Kick out the cruise control about a mile before your exit, stay in gear as long as possible, and watch how far you can coast for free.

Remember to:
Leave the regeneration switch in the automatic position and just drive. Only use ULSD fuel.

Caterpillar 2008. All rights reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, ACERT, Caterpillar Yellow and the POWER EDGE trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. LEHT7296

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