Demand Great Fuel Economy

THE INTEGRATED DETROIT® POWERTRAIN

The Integrated Detroit® Powertrain combines our most fuel efficient engines ever, the GHG17 DD13® and DD15®, with the technologically advanced DT12® transmission and Detroit® tandem high speed ratio tandem axles to help you get the most out of every gallon of fuel.

Demand Great Fuel Economy

The Integrated Detroit® Powertrain

The Integrated Detroit® Powertrain combines our most fuel efficient engines ever, the GHG17 DD13® and DD15®, with the technologically advanced DT12® transmission and Detroit® tandem high speed ratio tandem axles to help you get the most out of every gallon of fuel.

With engine technology calibrated to deliver greater horsepower and torque at lower RPMs, the flagship DD13® and DD15® engines keep your truck in top gear longer and cruise at a more efficient engine speed. It’s a known fact that slowing down is one of the best ways to save fuel, so we’ve designed our engines to cruise at the same road speed at lower RPMs, reducing friction and fuel consumption.

The combination of our downsped engines, our fastest-ever ratio tandem axles and our smooth shifting, fuel efficient DT12® automated manual transmission work together seamlessly, making the Integrated Detroit® Powertrain even more fuel efficient.

Efficient Driving

As much as 70% of fuel economy is affected by factors that drivers and fleet managers can address and correct. Fuel represents one of the highest operating costs that fleets and owner operators face, so tracking fuel consumption and taking action to optimize fuel efficiency is critical.

Detroit® has long been known as the fuel economy leader in the trucking industry. As EPA emission regulations have gotten more stringent, our engineers have met these regulatory mandates with innovations in emissions, electronics and technology, all while maintaining performance, reliability and most importantly fuel economy. With our lineup of GHG17 compliant engines, Detroit® is ensuring its place in the industry as the undisputed leader in fuel economy.

Truck Maintenance Makes a Difference

Tire Inflation and Wear - Every 10 psi of under inflation reduces fuel economy by approximately 1%. Over time that can mean many gallons wasted. Matching your tire to the application is also critical, as aggressive treads can reduce your MPG average.

Axle Alignment - No matter your type of axle, keeping it properly aligned has a positive effect on fuel economy and reduces tire wear.

Air Conditioning Compressor - About 50% of total fan on time is from using the air compressor. The more you operate your vehicle with the fan on and AC compressor running, the more power is drained from the engine. This means the engine has to work harder to move the load so it uses more fuel.

Lubricants - Synthetic lubricants increase the functionality and efficiency of your engine. Their superior temperature stability and improved viscosity at low temperatures reduces pumping and spin power losses.

Driver Training is Critical

When it comes to maximizing fuel economy, nothing is more important than having a good driver behind the wheel. Optimizing driver habits alone can improve fuel economy by up to 30 percent. It’s critical to educate drivers on improving fuel economy through reducing highway speeds, shortening idle times, properly selecting gears and servicing the truck regularly.

Top Tips for Fuel Economy:

  • Slow down
  • Keep RPMs low
  • Anticipate road terrains and traffic conditions
  • Reduce stops
  • Avoid idling
  • Minimize accessory loads
  • Reduce trailer gap
  • Use progressive shifting
  • Stay in top gear
  • Use cruise control

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Learn more by visiting the nearest Freightliner or Western Star dealership.

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