0318917 JOHNSON GASKET, Water cover

Idling
Caterpillar engines do not require long warm-up times that waste fuel. An engine takes a few minutes during the summer to warm-up. An engine takes a few minutes longer to warm-up during the winter. A load can be applied to the engine after normal oil pressure is achieved and the water temperature gauge begins to rise.Avoid excess idling. If the vehicle is parked for more than five minutes, stop the engine. An engine can burn from 2.8 L (.7 US gal) to 5.7 L (1.5 US gal) of fuel per hour while the engine is idling. Excessive idling can cause carbon buildup and/or excessive idling can cause the engine to slobber. This is harmful to the engine.If extended idle time is required, control the engine rpm to 1000 rpm or above 1000 rpm. Ensure that the coolant temperature exceeds 82° C (180° F). Consult your Caterpillar dealer for assistance.Catalytic Converter
Proper operation, driving techniques and maintenance are key factors in obtaining the maximum service life of the catalytic converter (if equipped). Some precautions should be taken for operation if the engine is equipped with a catalytic converter.If the engine is operated for 72 or more consecutive hours without a load, then the vehicle should be operated at rated conditions for five to fifteen minutes. This should clean out the catalytic converter. Refer to the Service Manual for your engine, if the vehicle has low power or if the vehicle does not respond properly.Getting Started
Caterpillar engines do not require long warm-up periods that needlessly waste fuel. Typically, the engine should be at normal operating temperature in a few minutes. Begin operating the engine at low load. After normal oil pressure is reached and the temperature gauges begin to rise, the engine may be operated at full load.To get the vehicle in motion, use a gear that will result in a smooth start. Move the load without increasing the engine rpm above low idle or without slipping the clutch. Engage the clutch smoothly. Slipping the clutch and engaging the clutch abruptly can cause stress to occur on the drive train. This can also cause fuel to be wasted.Use progressive shifting techniques. Progressive shifting is using only the rpm that is required in order to upshift into the next gear. Progressive shifting improves fuel economy.
Keep the engine rpm to a minimum. Use an rpm that is from 1400 to 2000 rpm.
Use only enough rpm to pick up the next gear.Progressive shifting also reduces the acceleration rate. Top gear is reached sooner because less time is needed to synchronize the gears during shifting. In addition, the engine is operating at the highest range of torque.The amount of rpm that is required to upshift increases as the vehicle speed increases, unless upshifts are made on upgrades. Experience with the vehicle will show the amount of rpm that is required to upshift under various conditions.If the vehicle can be operated in a higher gear at a vehicle speed that is desired, select the highest gear that is available to pull the load. This recommendation will help to obtain fuel economy. The engine will be operating at the lowest rpm that is required to pull the load.Vehicle Efficiency
An efficient vehicle performs the desired amount of work while the power demand on the engine is minimized. The following factors are major contributors to power demand:
Aerodynamic drag (wind resistance)
Rolling resistance of the tires
Gross weight of the vehicle
Losses in the drive train and the load from the engine driven accessoriesFor more information about vehicle efficiency, refer to Special Publication, LEDT2254, "CAT Answers Your Questions About Truck Performance".Fuel Economy
Fuel is the largest single operating cost of today's on-highway vehicle engines. Improved fuel economy can have a substantial impact on operating profit. The following items are the most significant factors that influence vehicle fuel economy:
Driver techniques
Vehicle efficiency
Operating conditions
Engine efficiencyA No. 1 grade of fuel contains less energy per volume and increases fuel consumption. A greater volume of fuel must be injected in order to yield the same amount of work as a No. 2 fuel. The difference in the fuel economy between the two grades of fuel can be as great as 0.2 km/L (.5 mpg) to 0.3 km/L (.7 mpg).For more information about fuel economy, refer to Special Publication, LEDT2254, "CAT Answers Your Questions About Truck Performance".Rolling hills provide a great opportunity to reduce fuel consumption. Avoid downshifting on small hills. The vehicle should not be downshifted even if the engine must be lugged down to an rpm that is below the peak torque rpm. When the vehicle is going down a hill, use gravity instead of the engine's power to regain vehicle speed.On grades that require more than one downshift, allow the engine to lug to peak torque rpm. If the rpm stabilizes with the engine running at peak torque rpm or above peak torque rpm remain in that gear.Long steep down grades should be anticipated. Vehicle speed should be reduced before cresting the top of a hill and proceeding down a long steep grade. Minimize the amount of braking that is used in order to maintain a safe speed for maximizing fuel efficiency.The engine's ability to hold the vehicle back increases with engine rpm. Select a gear that runs the engine near the high engine rpm limit for long steep hills when braking is required.Speed reductions and future stops should be anticipated. Downshifts should be avoided. The amount of braking should be minimized in order to improve fuel consumption. By coasting to a stop, a vehicle can travel a considerable distance without consuming any fuel.Cruising
Vehicles that are driven faster consume more fuel. Increasing the cruising speed from 88 km/h (55 mph) to 104 km/h (65 mph) will increase the fuel consumption of a typical Class 8 vehicle by approximately 0.4 km/L (1 mpg). When a vehicle is driven fast in order to allow more time for stops, the stops become very expensive. Cruising allows the engine to operate in the most efficient rpm range (1400 to 2000 rpm).Uphill