How to Properly Drive a Scania Truck?

[OMaverick]

First, press the brake pedal at the marked position in the Scania cockpit; otherwise, you won't be able to start the vehicle. After pressing the brake pedal, click the start button at the marked position to start the vehicle's engine. Once the vehicle is started, pull down the handbrake lever to release the brake. After releasing the handbrake, push the gear lever to the 1st gear position to begin moving. The dashboard is relatively simple: the left dial shows speed and engine RPM, while the top and bottom sections display indicator and warning lights. Speedometer. Turn signal indicator. Display screen. General warnings and indicators. Tachometer. Urea fluid level. Engine coolant temperature. Fuel gauge. Indicator and warning lights. The new-generation Scania multifunction steering wheel has more buttons than the previous version, supporting additional features.

[McCourtney]

I've been driving long-haul trucks for seven or eight years. The Scania has a light steering wheel but a long body, so you need to leave enough space for the inner wheel difference when turning. With the electronic gear shift, wait until the RPM reaches the green zone before pushing it, otherwise the transmission can overheat. On downhill slopes, use the retarder with 7-speed adjustment, combined with the exhaust brake to reduce brake pad wear. When empty, switch to ECONOMY mode to save fuel, and when hauling heavy loads on mountain roads, remember to switch to POWER mode in advance to maintain torque. If parked for more than 30 minutes, you must let it idle to cool down, otherwise the turbocharger bearings can run dry and seize—once I was in a hurry and shut it off without cooling, and the repair cost me nearly twenty thousand.

[DiCalvin]

After driving a Scania G-series for two years, I've figured out some tricks: Wait for the dashboard self-check to complete before ignition to avoid circuit issues. The hill climb button under the steering wheel is super useful—press it in advance when climbing heavy loads to automatically lock the gear. Never turn off the VSC stability control in rainy or foggy conditions; once on a Guizhou highway crossing waterlogged pavement, the system corrected my steering deviation three times. For long night drives, using the steering wheel paddle shifters is 0.8 seconds faster than automatic mode. Remember to clean the intake grille every 2,000 km—blockage can increase fuel consumption by 3 liters.

[Everett]

Last month, I obtained a Scania-specific driver's license at the truck driving school. The instructor emphasized three key points: the clutch must be fully depressed when shifting gears, otherwise the synchronizer will be ruined within six months; the hydraulic retarder should be activated two kilometers in advance; and no unauthorized devices should be added to the 48V electrical system. The most memorable lesson was the cornering technique—when navigating a 50-meter radius curve, the steering wheel should only be turned after the front of the truck passes the curve's apex. During reversing, using a combination of wide-angle mirrors can reduce the inner wheel difference to as little as 20 cm. A seasoned fleet driver also shared a useful tip: setting the air conditioning to 25°C is the most fuel-efficient, with every 1-degree decrease increasing fuel consumption by 0.5 liters.