If you’re a truck driver, you probably know a way to save some fuel and get a higher MPG (miles per gallon) ratio. It’s important to remember that saving fuel is a key factor in being a successful carrier and boosting your profits.
Fuel is the biggest cost of driving a truck, and it’s considered a “fixed” expense, meaning you can’t control it. But there are things you can do to reduce your fuel consumption and increase your overall profits.
Below are the reasons that will help save your trucking fuel:
Driving a truck at high-speed limits makes it easier for truck drivers to get where they need to go in a shorter amount of time.
But if you’re driving faster than you should, it could end up costing you more fuel. Your truck’s best speed is around 60 mph, and if you go faster than that, you’re wasting fuel and money.
Even if you’re only driving a few minutes faster, it can still cost you more fuel. The Department of Energy in the United States of America says that every five miles you go over 60 mph, you’re paying an extra twenty-four cents a gallon for fuel because of more wind and roll resistance.
Generally, your truck’s fuel efficiency is best between 50-60 mph. Higher speeds also mean more wear on your engine and tires, which means more maintenance and downtime.
RPM “sweet spots” are the most efficient ways to get the most fuel out of your engine. By making your engine work harder at a certain speed, you’re burning fuel faster.
The key is to use torque to pull your load, not horsepower. Torque allows you to maintain your speed without overloading the engine. A good RPM sweet spot is 1250-1350 RPM.
Every truck engine is different, so you’ll need to check the manufacturer’s manual or truck dealer to see what your maximum horsepower and torque are at a particular RPM (Revolutions per minute).
Keep in mind that modern engines are designed for high torque at lower RPMs. It is better to shift to the next highest gear while you’re still at low RPM than to wait for the engine to go up to high RPM.
It’s super important to make sure your truck’s aerodynamics are as good as it can get when you’re going a long way at high speeds.
Aerodynamic drag can account for up to 50% of your truck’s overall fuel economy, so it’s worth investing in the right equipment.
Look for designs and devices that close the gap between your truck and trailer, block air from getting under your truck, and let the air flow through slots in the mud flaps to save fuel.
If you want to improve your truck’s fuel efficiency and wear-and-tear, low-rolling-resistance tires are the way to go.
With every 3% increase in rolling resistance, you’ll likely see a 1% increase in fuel efficiency and performance.
In addition, single-wide tires can help you save 4-8% on fuel, and they’re lighter in weight. They also come with lower maintenance costs, so you don’t have to worry about downtime, service times, or brake wear.
And if you want to get the most out of your tires, look beyond the purchase price. Invest in tires with a long life, and you’ll get a lot more fuel economy for your money.
Every time you put too much pressure on your truck, or brake too hard or too often, you’re increasing your truck’s fuel consumption, which significantly reduces your truck’s fuel mileage.
When you brake hard, your transmission either downshifts or manually re-gives you the momentum you’ve lost while pressing brakes. The lower your gear, the faster the engine’s revolutions must be. The faster your engine’s revolutions, the higher your RPMs. The more fuel you waste, the harder it is to haul your cargo and the more fuel you burn.
Don’t go too fast or too slow. When you brake, keep your speed steady and leave plenty of space for the vehicle in front of you.
It doesn’t cost much to use better lubricants, but it can make a big difference in terms of fuel efficiency. Low-viscosity oils can help you save up to 2% on fuel, and the new formulations can even give you an additional boost of up to 4%.
Keep in mind that different engines have different lubricants, so make sure to talk to your mechanic about the best one for your truck.
Planning your routes before starting your journey can help you avoid speeding up to make a delivery deadline.
You won’t have to worry about tight time constraints that make you want to speed up. At the same time, you’ll be able to plan the most direct route to avoid tolls and detours.
And don’t forget to factor in how many off- or on-ramps there are. Your truck will use up more fuel on an off-ramp than it would on a regular one, so if you can avoid those to get to your fuel stop, that’s great for your fuel efficiency.
If you follow all the important points carefully that we have mentioned above, you will end up saving your trucking fuel and enhancing your profit.
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