Let’s face it, fuel is not something that you want to waste. Truck owners are always interested in finding as many methods as possible to increase the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. If you need to drive a truck for work, fuel costs can add up quickly. Here are four clever tips that will help you to increase the fuel efficiency of your truck.
Reduce Weight
It’s possible for you to improve your truck’s fuel efficiency by just reducing the load you carry. If your truck is weighed down, it will need to use more fuel to move. Make an effort to reduce all unneeded weight. For instance, eliminate steel racing jacks, and replace them with bottle jacks or aluminum units. Additionally, clear out stuff you do not need, like bags of stones, concrete, or other heavy material. FuelEconomy.gov states that every extra 100 lbs. in your truck reduces fuel efficiency by 2%. The decrease is dependent on the portion of additional weight relative to the automobile’s weight, and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Drive Efficiently
Did you know that how fast you drive could affect your truck’s fuel efficiency? According to Internet Truckstop, a company that has FTA services available, try to drive at around 55 miles per hour, as your truck burns more fuel at 65 miles then at lower speeds. You also need to make certain overdrive is on, which tells your automobile to shift gears at the earliest time. Allow your truck to coast when you are approaching a stop light. Your truck’s mileage will significantly increase if you do this as it uses a lot more energy to accelerate from a dead stop.
Avoid Excessive Idling
Turn off your engine when your car or truck is parked, such as at a train crossing. It takes just a couple of seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Turning your engine on and off nevertheless does increase starter wear, but idling reduces fuel efficiency and leads to GHG and air pollution. For heavy-duty diesel engines, it’s best not to idle for more than five minutes at a time. Idle reductions may even be imposed through roadside reviews at the municipal level.
Make Sure Tires are Inflated
Another means of increasing fuel efficiency for a truck is to make sure that your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure. If your tires are not inflated properly, it will cause drag while the truck is in motion. This forces the engine to work harder as it is more difficult for the truck move.
If you drive a truck, following these tips will allow you to increase your fuel efficiency. You may choose to start gradually by utilizing one of the tips at a time as every little bit helps in increasing fuel efficiency. Your end goal should be to incorporate all of these tips. Not only will increasing your truck’s fuel efficiency help the environment, it will also help your wallet.
