Fuel is expensive, and if you run a trucking company, the rising fuel price can take a toll on your bottom line. The last thing you want is for your fleet to go dry because of overspending on gas!
As heavy truck owners know, one diesel refill can cost anything between $450 and $950. That’s why saving on fuel is a crucial variable that determines profit for fleet owners.
Improving fuel efficiency even slightly can save you thousands per year! Now, who doesn’t want to jump onto that bandwagon?
If you want to increase your trucking profit, read on for some simple but effective ways to improve fuel efficiency and fleet maintenance in Calgary.
Reduce Cruise Speed
Going faster means you are burning more fuel. Every increase in speed means a decrease in fuel economy. You can also use cruise control, which keeps pace at the sweet spot and reduces fuel consumption by around 6%.
Use Lower Cost Stations
Filling up at stations with lower prices regularly can help save a great deal on fuel costs over time. While the differences are minimal, it is still worth the effort. Fleet cards or a simple google search can help you find the best prices.
Take The Shortest Route
Keep in mind that, in most cases, multiple paths lead you to the same destination. Make sure you take the route that takes the least driving time to get to your destination: the lower the driving time, the more your fuel efficiency.
Avoid Carrying Extra Items
The more weight the truck carries, the more work it has to put in to pull itself down the road – which means more fuel consumption. With a truck that’s already so heavy in itself, make sure it doesn’t need to use up any extra fuel for unnecessary items.
Keep an Eye on Tire Pressure
Even a 1 PSI drop in pressure can decrease fuel mileage. Make sure that the tires are fully inflated before a road trip – it will help your tires last longer too.
Don’t Overfill the Tank
Not only does extra fuel add to the weight of the truck, but the fuel also expands as it heats up. And if the tank is filled to capacity, the fuel will expand and overflow. And that’s a waste of good fuel!
Avoid Idling
Engine idling is part of driving, but if you know you’re stopping for more than a few minutes, it’s a good idea to shut the engine to save on fuel. Some provinces even charge fines for idling.
Be Moderate With Braking
Braking is part of driving, and you can’t do without it. But what you can do to minimize brakes is leave more space between your truck and the vehicle in front of you. That’s because every time you apply a brake and then accelerate again, the engine uses more fuel to get you back up to speed.
Keep a Low Load Height
If the load on the truck is evenly distributed, the truck will need less energy to get going. It’s a good idea to keep the load height low and levelled.
Minimize Air Conditioning
Whenever possible, roll down your windows instead of turning the A/C on. That’s because every time you use the A/C, fuel consumption increases dramatically. Of course, sometimes you can’t do without air conditioning, but using this method can improve gas mileage.
Stay in Higher Gear
Driving in low gears at faster speed can use up to 45% more fuel than in high gear. Make sure you go in higher gears as much as possible to improve fuel efficiency.
Check Fan and Battery Cables
The more the fan runs, the more fuel the engine uses. Fans in good condition usually run 5-7% of the time when the engine is on, so make sure that the fan is in good operational condition. Also, battery cables cause the alternator to work harder and use more fuel if they are corroded.
Diesel Repair Shop Calgary
If any fault affects your truck’s fuel efficiency, be sure to get the problems fixed at a diesel repair shop in Calgary. Timely repair and maintenance can also help you save fuel.
