Sun Visor versus Fuel Consumption

TeamCaffee · May 17, 2008

We have all heard how bad a bug deflector is for your fuel mileage but we recently learned that the sun visor also can play havoc on your fuel. As a test Bob took our sun visor off of the truck and we immediately saw a jump in our mpg. Our fuel mileage has increased .2 miles per gallon since the removal of our sun visor which will equate for us a savings of at least 1300 a year if fuel stays $4.30 a gallon. We have an M2 Freightliner and our clearance lights are mounted on the cab so removing the visor did not affect them. Our sun visor is going to stay off the truck.

OntarioVanMan · May 17, 2008

.02 doesn't sound like much but in a unit your size it's a BIG savings...these are times to be practical not comfortable, if one is going to beat these tough times just got to Git'R' Done.

pelicn · May 17, 2008

Linda, I've heard about the fuel savings from not having the sun visor, but have you noticed any real difference in the sun coming in the windshield? Did the visor have a real purpose for the sun or just look good?

nightcreacher · May 17, 2008

Years ago when the T600 KW was introduced,it was suppose to be the best aero dynamic truck on the marketThere was an article out,because of the aero dynamics of this truck,guys were driving faster to use the same amount of fuel,as they were going slower in their non wero trucks..That article did state ,as they made the truck more aero dynamic,the sunvisor took away those aero dynamics.my previous truck,I had one of those "cool" drop visors.i notice a loss of fuel mileage right away,but,who cared,fuel was cheap,lol.The extended drop on the visor did help the blinding sun.Ive driven trucks with no visors,there really isnt much different with the standard visorand the sun

P51bombay · May 18, 2008

nightcreacher said:
The extended drop on the visor did help the blinding sun.Ive driven trucks with no visors,there really isnt much different with the standard visorand the sun

Those things require a low rise seat don't they?

nightcreacher · May 18, 2008

no,my seat was standard

TeamCaffee · May 18, 2008

I think we will need to wear our sunglasses more often then we used to but I see no problem with that. We have run in pretty heavy rain and did not see any differences from having the visor and not having the visor.

ATeam · May 18, 2008

Do you have before and after pictures?

TeamCaffee · May 18, 2008

I have not taken a picture of the truck but I can try to do that this weekend and get them posted.

TeamCaffee · May 19, 2008

We noticed when we took these pictures we are parked near a Hino that also does not have a sun visor.

ATeam · May 19, 2008

Thank you for the photos. The sans visor look takes some getting used to.

EASYTRADER · May 19, 2008

If you use a Metallic 35 VLT window tint in the top 6 inchs of your windshield it will eliminate most of the sun in your eyes problem. without sacrificing MPG.

TeamCaffee · May 19, 2008

Good idea thanks!

pelicn · May 20, 2008

Hey Linda....I noticed your 3rd driver up there in the passenger seat!

Truck looks fine that way, and the window tint strip is a great idea!

TeamCaffee · May 20, 2008

Thanks Pelicn! For some reason Molly loves to have her picture taken and I think sometime we have more of her then we have of the kids.
Terry and I have been working on a chart to calculate our fuel cost versus our pay per mile to see what we will need to be making per mile by the end of the year to maintain our present income. Every cent we can save on fuel will go right to our pockets and help to keep us solvent.

ATeam · Jun 13, 2008

Sun visors are starting to disappear from some class 8 trucks.
Below are photos of two newer Freightliners, one with
and one without a sun visor. The one without clearly came
that way from the factory.