A recent report from Fleet Financials puts fuel expenses at the top of costs that make up the total cost of ownership for trucking companies. Coming in at a whopping 12 percent, rising fuel costs will continue to eat away at profits.
As a trucker or fleet manager, there are things you can do to improve fuel efficiency of your rig or fleet:
- Minimize idling. If you are stopping for more than 30 seconds, turn off your engine because idling uses more fuel than restarting your engine.
- Plan routes with traffic conditions in mind. Using lower gears because of frequent stop/start driving eats up fuel so use navigation tools that help you avoid traffic.
- Drive within the speed limit. Speed limits are not just for safety, they help maintain fuel efficiency.
- Practice good driving habits. Hard accelerations and hard braking cause your engine to use more fuel than normal. If you are a fleet owner, make sure your drivers are properly trained and are efficient at:
- Smooth and gradual braking and accelerating
- Progressive shifting techniques
- Appropriate use of cruise control
- Block shifting
- Coasting when appropriate
- Keep your rig(s) well-maintained. Make sure tire-pressures are at their recommended PSI and maintenance routines are performed on a regular basis to keep your rig(s) running efficiently.
- Get an overall. If you have an older engine, have it overhauled to make it more fuel efficient.
- Reduce aerodynamic drag. Air resistance while you drive can consume up to 50 percent of your fuel but adding deflectors and side fairings can help make your truck more aerodynamic.
- Use the grade of engine oil recommended by the manufacturer. This could improve your fuel mileage by up to 2 percent.
- Upgrade to a better grade of diesel fuel. Switching to premium grade fuel can improve your fuel efficiency.
- Fill up in the morning. Starting out with a full tank of gas will help improve your fuel efficiency.
- Don’t fill up when tanks are being replenished. If you get fuel while tankers are filling up the station’s ground tanks, you are likely to put the dirt that rises from bottom of the tanks into your gas tank, which will “tank” your fuel efficiency.
- Slowly fuel up. Use the low setting to pump fuel to prevent foaming and the build up of vapors that will take up valuable volume in your fuel tank.
- Don’t run on fumes. The more fuel you have in your tank, the better your miles per gallon will be.
By following these tips, you are doing your part to increase the fuel-efficiency of your rig or fleet. But you are also improving the profitability of your business.