5 Ways to Maximize Your Truck’s Fuel Efficiency

When long-haul truckers receive payment by the mile or time, they may feel a temptation to stay on the road longer. However, there’s a significant downside to doing this. Many truckers might not consider these potential setbacks for union shipping companies. That downside comes in the form of truck fuel efficiency and rising fuel costs.

Diesel prices have been on the rise and, depending on how much fuel your truck can hold, a full tank of diesel can cost a thousand dollars or more. With fuel being one of the largest costs of operating a truck, it makes sense that you would want to use your fuel as efficiently as possible. In this post, we’ll explore five ways to maximize your fuel efficiency.
 

5 Ways to Improve Your Truck’s MPG

1. Keep Your Tuck Well-Maintained and Serviced

New technology is constantly emerging with ways to increase fuel efficiency, so it is a good idea to have the best technology you can afford on your flatbed truck. Make sure your vehicle is well maintained and services are completed regularly according to the manufacturer’s suggested service intervals. A well-maintained truck runs more efficiently, saves fuel, and also prolongs the life of the vehicle.

2. Reduce Common Resistance Factors

Anytime your truck is in motion it is encountering a number of different resistance factors working against it and removing fuel efficiency. This includes tire rolling resistance, air resistance, and even gravity! Always make sure you inflate your tires according to the specifications from the tire manufacturer.

If you observe uneven wear on your tires it could be due to under-inflation or misalignment. Weight is also a big factor to consider. Make sure you are not carrying anything you don’t actually need. The more weight your truck has to move, the harder it will have to work, and the more fuel it will consume.

3. Avoid Excessive Speeding

One of the best ways to improve your MPG is to avoid excessive speed. Of course, there are speed limits. But, there are also lonely stretches of highway where no one may be looking. Therefore, you may feel tempted to drive much faster. The best fuel economy is typically achieved around 55 mph, but this could vary among different makes and models.

4. Eliminate Bad Driving Habits

Of all the things you could do to improve fuel economy, improving how you operate the truck will have the largest impact on fuel economy. Accelerate at a reasonable speed, don’t feel like you have to floor it every time you startup. Keep your RPMs low and stay in the highest gear possible as long as possible. Use cruise control when you can to maintain smooth and consistent operation of the engine.

5. Cut Down on Idling Time

Many diesel truck drivers let their engines run while parked. This is a big waste of fuel in most cases. Unless there is some reason to do so, turn the engine off as often as possible. If you are going to be stopped for more than ten minutes, for instance, it is probably better to shut it down to save fuel.
 

Conclusion: Iron Horse Transport

You can make your vehicles more fuel-efficient, and your own driving habits can have a great impact on your overall fuel economy. With fuel being one of the largest costs for a trucking company these days, it’s important to find ways to minimize that cost. For more information on minimizing fuel costs, contact Iron Horse Transport today!