Fuel Smarter: How to Save Gas While Driving Every Mile
How about if every mile you drove was less of a gas waste and more of a money saver?
Fuel expenses can consume up to half of a trucker's budget. With the fuel prices being volatile, saving fuel while driving should be a matter of survival rather than just a smart move.
So, let’s begin with a simple but effective step that can make a real difference.
Keep Tire Pressure Right for Better Fuel Economy
Your tires are the only part of the vehicle that is in contact with the road. Hence, they largely determine the fuel consumption of your truck.
The U.S. Department of Energy announces that properly inflated tires can lead to a fuel economy improvement of up to 3 percent.
However, fuel savings are not always a matter of speeding. Reducing speed is beneficial for both your money and safety. It all goes back to simple habits, starting with how you take care of your tires:
- Tire pressure should always be checked when tires are cold, and a proper gauge should be used.
- Inflate the tires to the manufacturer's pressure that is recommended for your load.
- An excessive amount of pressure results in uneven wear and limited grip, which makes the fuel consumption increase as well.
- Monitor your tire pressure and be on the lookout for leaks.
- Old, worn, or uneven tires, and your vehicle's wheels being off-center, will cause your engine to consume more fuel.
Therefore, it is important to maintain your tires regularly through rotation and alignment so that everything stays efficient and smooth.
Drive Smart to Save Fuel
The way you drive impacts the most fuel savings. The majority of vehicles begin to lose fuel efficiency when the speed goes beyond 50 mph. For each 5 mph over 50, you will pay approximately $0.18 more per gallon.
Slowing down is both fuel and money-saving, and it also makes you safer on the road.
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The SmartWay program by the EPA states that fuel consumption can be reduced by 10% or even more by performing smooth accelerations and maintaining constant speeds. Sudden increases and decreases in speed cause an unnecessary waste of fuel as they require the engine to work harder.
The use of cruise control on the motorway allows you to maintain your speed while observing the traffic ahead, assists you in the prevention of unneeded braking, and thus reduces fuel consumption.
If you are slowing down, attempt coasting as much as possible. This is fuel-saving and brake wear-reducing. Idling is a fuel-consuming activity. Diesel engines, as per FMCSA, consume about a gallon per hour while idling. So, turning off your engine during long stops is both fuel-saving and engine-wear-reducing.
For manual trucks, shifting should be done early in order to maintain low RPMs without overworking the engine, as using it too much in the lower range will result in fuel consumption. Do not speed and brake heavily. Pro drivers anticipate and plan their moves in such a way that the truck runs smoothly, thus saving every drop of fuel.
Save Fuel with Automatic and Manual Transmissions
There are simple ways to keep fuel costs down that are common to both automatic and manual drivers.
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, see if it has an eco-mode. That provides more information and better mileage.
Placing the brake on the gas pedal should be avoided at all costs, for sudden pushes force the transmission to search for the correct gear and thus, more fuel is consumed. Keeping the throttle use at a minimum is not only good for fuel consumption but also provides a more constant and smooth driving style.
For manual drivers, it is most important to be correct in shift timing. The best practice would be to shift between 1200 and 1800 RPM ranges. Changing gears at too low a point will result in the engine being forced, thus creating more power from the already overused engine. If you change gear at too high a point, fuel is wasted, and there will be faster wear of the parts. Do not downshift unless you are going to need the extra power. Familiarize yourself with the power band of your truck, i.e., the range of maximum fuel efficiency.
In fact, by doing this correctly, not only will you conserve gas while driving, but also allow your engine to run smoothly for more miles.
Reduce Weight and Improve Aerodynamics
Additional weight is one of the causes of fuel inefficiency. As per the Department of Transportation, every additional 100 pounds will lead to a fuel consumption increase of 1-2% especially in stop-and-go traffic situations. Get rid of stuff that you don’t need in order to lessen the load. Aerodynamics matter even more at highway speeds.
However, it is not just the weight that is the matter. Aerodynamics matter even more once you hit the highway. The Tractor-Trailer Greenhouse Gas Regulation mandates aerodynamic features and low-rolling resistance tires for box-type trailers 53 feet or longer. These features have been proven to save a significant amount of fuel and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
But the research done so far is not sufficient for other kinds of trailers (e.g., reefer, container-chassis, tanker, and flatbed), and thus, the study should focus on whether their typical operational behavior involves high-speed driving and large cumulative vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per year. Fuel savings from aerodynamic devices become more significant at higher speeds.
In addition to weight and aerodynamics, the way you operate the truck impacts fuel use as well. For instance, employing the air conditioner will increase fuel consumption. At the same time, opening the windows while driving at high speeds will cause drag, and thus, fuel consumption will increase. Avoid using roof racks and open cargo that the wind can catch.
Spending your effort on aerodynamic upgrades will give you a nice return when it comes to fuel saving.
Maintain the Good Condition of Your Truck
Giving your truck some good care is a sure fuel-saving method and a cost-cutting strategy at the same time. The reason is that a fresh oil change minimizes the friction of the engine and thus the whole system runs smoothly. In other words, the truck consumes less fuel by itself. In case of a heavily soiled air filter, the engine has to do more work to breathe, and you can lose as much as 10 percent of your fuel efficiency due to that.
Besides, fuel injectors should be in good condition as well. When they are clogged, the engine works unevenly and emits various pollutants. Also, worn spark plugs make combustion less efficient and therefore waste gas.
In addition, by opting for tires made for low rolling resistance, your truck will be able to operate more efficiently, and thus, the fuel will be saved at each kilometer.
Moreover, it is advisable to keep the engine in top shape by means of tuning and updating the software always to ensure the best and most fuel-efficient performance of your vehicle. In addition, repairs on the leaks and defects in the exhaust and emissions systems will not only prolong your inspections but will also allow your engine to breathe properly and run smoothly.
Sticking to a strict maintenance schedule may be perceived as old-fashioned advice, but it is really a sure way to save money on fuel. A truck that is well taken care of is more efficient in terms of fuel consumption, and it will also be reliable, meaning no unexpected stops. The term good maintenance means providing the necessary care to your vehicle and making every mile count.
Use Technology to Track and Save Fuel
At present, technology has become a very powerful ally in the saving of fuel. For instance, the fuel monitors that are linked to your vehicle not only give you the fuel consumption metrics but also the idle period. That kind of real-time info helps you catch the small habits that add up to big costs.
But it is not just about what you are doing behind the wheel. Traffic jams, stop and go driving, and road conditions can sneak up and eat your fuel before you even realize it. Tools like Trucker Guide take it further by offering smart GPS and route planning. With it, you can find the fastest routes, avoid no-truck zones, check for low bridges, and stay updated on weigh station statuses along your way. Together, these technologies help you drive smarter and save more fuel.
Behind it, we support truck navigation with the information about traffic as well as road conditions that are accessible through the cameras to see the situation in real-time.
In addition, a Trucker Guide helps find the closest truck stop that is not only comfortable but also provides diesel at low prices along the route. Apart from the fuel-saving, the navigation is filled with data that is of great value, such as the availability of parking for trucks, amenities offered, payment methods, and languages supported.
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These factors lead to the efficient operation of the vehicle, a decrease in breakdowns due to wear and tear, and finally, the saving of money in his pocket.
Ignore Common Fuel Saving Myths
There is a ton of advice going around about conserving fuel. However, only a few pieces of advice seem to be correct. For instance, an idling situation might be seen as a no-issue one, but in fact, it is a case of fuel being wasted, and engine wear is increased.
Besides, sometimes it could be as much as one gallon of diesel that is burnt every hour if the vehicle is at rest. In the same vein, modern engines get warm in a shorter time if you are driving mildly, thus the answer here is that you should drive off rather than wait for the warming-up period while your rig is idling.
You must have heard that high-octane fuel will always lead to better mileage. However, the fact is that the statement is only true when the engine is built for it. Otherwise, you will only pay extra for it at the petrol station without saving any fuel.
Heavier trucks indeed consume more fuel, but it does not mean that you are without power. With smart driving and proper management of your load, you can still go quite a few miles using one tank of fuel.
Here is one more, which shocks many drivers: the windows versus air conditioning battle. By rolling down your windows and thus saving on AC might seem like the right thing to do, but at motorway speeds, it actually consumes more fuel due to the increased drag from the wind. On the contrary, keeping your windows closed and using moderate AC will save fuel in the long run.
Applying these clever tricks can help truck drivers improve their fuel efficiency and make the most out of every gallon of diesel. Yet, saving fuel is not only about cost reduction. It is about protecting the truck from undue wear and paving a more lucrative and sustainable way into the future of the road.
Drive smarter and save more. Start applying these fuel-saving tips today and watch your expenses shrink mile by mile.
