Fuel expenses are hugely important in any truck driver's budget, so improving fuel efficiency is top of mind. Fuel consumption can be costly and it can slow down the delivery of a load if constant fuel stops need to be made. So how can fuel efficiency be improved? Follow these top 6 tips to improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
Use A Fuel Saver Card
Getting the best value for fuel is essential, especially with fluctuating fuel prices; you want to make sure you’re getting the best price that you can. Using a fuel-saver card can save an average of $0.20 per gallon.
Keep Your Truck Well Maintained
Keeping your trucks well-maintained ensures that your fleet runs at peak efficiency and performance. This will help save you money on fuel costs and help you get to your destination faster since you won’t have to make multiple stops to check anything out.
Minimize Idling Time
Minimizing idling time can improve fuel efficiency. 1 hour of idling can burn up to a gallon of gas. It can be easy not to turn off your truck while making a quick stop at a truck stop, rest stop, or gas station, but in reality, it all adds up. Use truck stop showers and other amenities to reduce the need to idle your truck.
Plan out Your Route
Planning your travel route in advance might seem like a simple thing to do, but it is so effective in not only increasing your fuel efficiency but also cutting down on travel time. Plan your route around the shortest route, gas stations to fill up, and rest stops. If you’re stopping at a gas station to fill up, then go ahead and also plan to get any necessary items, such as snacks or a bathroom break instead of having to stop somewhere else 30 minutes later.
Keep Tires Well Inflated
Well-inflated tires are fuel efficient, whereas under-inflated tires can decrease fuel economy. For every PSI drop in pressure, your fuel mileage can be reduced anywhere from 0.2%-0.4%. While this might not seem like a lot, it can quickly add up, especially for something that can easily be fixed.
Maintain Consistent Speed
Use features like cruise control to maintain a consistent speed, maintaining a consistent speed is important in avoiding things such as speeding which can greatly increase fuel consumption and can result in costly speeding tickets. Finding the “sweet spot” of your engine can increase your fuel efficiency and help decrease the wear and tear on your trucks.
While keeping your trucks well maintained, reducing idling time, and maintaining a consistent speed are all great ways to increase your fuel efficiency, fuel saver cards help ensure that you’re not only being efficient but also saving on fuel costs. Engaged Financial offers fuel saver cards with benefits that included pre-negotiated fuel discounts and an array of products that are designed around growing your business. Apply Now and get started on saving on fuel.