Engines IMPORTANT: Fuel heaters used on vehicles with Caterpillar electronic engines could cause exces- sive fuel temperatures that affect engine perfor- mance and operation of the electronic engine con- trols. If a fuel heater is used, make sure it has thermostatic controls. If the fuel heater has a timer, set the timer to activate only for a limited period of time before the engine starts. Make sure the fuel heater is used only for starting the engine. gressive shifting technique will lower fuel costs be- cause the engine will be operating at the lowest rpm needed to pull the load.
Caterpillar electronic engines can be programmed to limit engine rpm while the truck is operated in the lower and higher gears. This feature assists the driver in following progressive shifting techniques. 4. On uphill grades, begin downshifting when the en- gine rpm falls to 1200 rpm. Fuel economy will be best if you let the engine lug back to around this speed before you downshift. Downshift until a gear is reached in which the engine will pull the load. Let the engine lug down if you can make it to the top of a hill without downshifting. 2. Select a gear that allows a smooth, easy start with- out increasing engine speed above low idle or slip- ping the clutch. Engage the clutch smoothly.
Jerky starts waste fuel and put stress on the drivetrain. It is not necessary to accelerate Caterpillar elec- tronic engines to governed speed in the lower gears to get the vehicle moving, except in a high power demand situation such as starting on a grade. IMPORTANT: Do not allow Caterpillar electronic engines to exceed 2300 rpm (2100 rpm if equipped with an exhaust brake). 3. Continue to upshift until cruising speed is reached. Use only the rpm needed to make an upshift into the next gear. The engine speed needed to make an upshift increases as the truck speed increases.
If the truck can be operated in a higher gear after reaching the desired speed, select the highest gear available that will pull the load. Experience with your truck will show you what rpm is needed to make upshifts under various conditions. This pro- 5. On a downhill grade, do not coast or put the trans- mission in neutral. Select the correct gear that does not allow the engine to exceed its maximum speed. Use the brakes to limit the truck speed. A simple rule to follow is to select the same gear (or one gear lower) that would be needed to go up the grade. 4.11