Veteran Drivers With Mechanical Knowledge Advice Please.

I'm driving a new Automatic Freightliner And I like to keep my maintenance expenses to the minimum so got a few questions help will be appreciated.

1. The auto transmission has an Auto mode and a Manual mode to slow down is it better to use the gears in the Manual mode or do it with engine brake and Auto mode?

2. When you go down a hill is it better to use gears in manual mode or to set Cruze control to a slow speed in auto mode and then it will keep itself in slow speed?

3. As a lease operator I'm responsible for the tractor tires but not the trailer so is it better as a general rule to shift maximum load possible to trailer axels From driving axels? Does it affect in any way pressure on fifth wheel?

4. Is oil change every 25,000 miles sufficient or better to do it more often? Does it help for the longevity of the engine to use synthetic oil or they don't use them in trucks?

5. I have seen satellite dishes for trucks for TV can you get internet with them as well? Does it keep you cover all over the U.S. ? Does it work while moving or just when you stop?

Thank You for your help.

3. As a lease operator I'm responsible for the tractor tires but not the trailer so is it better as a general rule to shift maximum load possible to trailer axles from driving axles? Does it affect in any way pressure on fifth wheel?

I'll let others with more mechanical experience answer the other questions but be very careful with this kind of thing. Back in the day you used to have a trailer brake alongside the steering wheel. I'm sure some trucks still have them, but most don't. Owner operators and lease drivers used to use that a lot to try to save the brakes on their tractor and use up the trailer's brakes instead. Unfortunately there was no shortage of drivers that killed themselves or burned the trailer to the ground after burning up the brakes going down mountains trying to save a buck.

Same with this kind of thing. If you put most of the weight on the back of the trailer you're taking critical weight off the drive tires that you may need not only for forward bite when you get on the gas but to hold the road around a curve or when you're on the brakes so you don't go into a tractor jackknife. I highly recommend staying away from this sort of thing. Keep the axle weights balanced out as well as you can, and that's especially critical on wet or snowy roads.

I would say yes, you could possibly save a few bucks by using that technique but you're exposing yourself to far more dangers than you should in my opinion.

Prime has us get our oil changes every 40k miles, some trucks go 50k between oil changes. I would check the owners manual for your truck and see what the manufacturer calls for

1. The auto transmission has an Auto mode and a Manual mode to slow down is it better to use the gears in the Manual mode or do it with engine brake and Auto mode?

Until you get used to it, leave it in automatic, it will downshift to slow the truck down. Use you Jake if dry conditions, feathering it from High, Med., to low, then off.

2. When you go down a hill is it better to use gears in manual mode or to set Cruze control to a slow speed in auto mode and then it will keep itself in slow speed?

I strongly recommend "canceling" cruise control when descending a hill, especially if it's steep. Again if dry conditions use your Jake in combination with your service brakes to manage your speed.

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Most of the mobile satellite devices are pretty pricey. I think most people just use their phones as hotspots for internet since cell coverage is quite good with most major carriers. There are some threads on here just do a search for "cell phone". You can also find wifi at most truck stops.

Phil

I should add that yes you can get satellite tv, but most just use internet to watch and stream movies and such. like here is direct tv link for their mobile service http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P6730097

Most of the mobile satellite devices are pretty pricey. I think most people just use their phones as hotspots for internet since cell coverage is quite good with most major carriers. There are some threads on here just do a search for "cell phone". You can also find wifi at most truck stops.

Phil

That came from letf field???

Most of the mobile satellite devices are pretty pricey. I think most people just use their phones as hotspots for internet since cell coverage is quite good with most major carriers. There are some threads on here just do a search for "cell phone". You can also find wifi at most truck stops.

Phil

That came from letf field???

No, he asked about that:

5. I have seen satellite dishes for trucks for TV can you get internet with them as well? Does it keep you cover all over the U.S. ? Does it work while moving or just when you stop?

Thank You all

Appreciate your help.

4. Is oil change every 25,000 miles sufficient or better to do it more often? Does it help for the longevity of the engine to use synthetic oil or they don't use them in trucks?

Wow seen 40-50k on 1 oil change seems bit much, since diesel engines are working pretty hard! Automotive, have seen people use Slick 50 lol think its good for 50k miles and end up buying a 5k engine next!

Oil breaks down rather quickly over time, and the harsher the use, the faster it does. When I worked on tractors, we did ours about every 90 days, and those were pretty much local trucks, not OTR..... Did an in-frame on 1 guys truck at 900k mile =17 years! An old Peterbuilt he drove. Synthetics are waste of $$ even in cars I think. Delo 400 usually used in diesels.....Oil is Cheap insurance, if your paying the bill of a rebuild, than not changing oil at regular intervals. Just my thoughts, when you're talking 10-12+ gallons!

But yes newer trucks I'd check owners manual to be sure, with tighter tolerances now days it surely has changed since the 90's lol