Fuel Efficiency Hacks: How to Save on Fuel Costs and Increase Mileage of Your Truck

Fuel is one of the biggest expenses for trucking businesses. Owner-operators who drive an average of 12,000 kilometers a month spend a fortune on fuel every year. High costs at the pump can add up fast and affect your profitability, especially as diesel prices continue to rise. But there are ways to lower this expense. In this article, we’ll share our tips on how to improve the fuel economy of your truck.

There are many factors that contribute to the amount of fuel a truck uses, including the efficiency of your engine, the size of the load you’re hauling, the terrain you’re driving through, the weather conditions you’re experiencing, and the speed you’re driving at. It takes just one of these variables to change your truck’s average kilometers per liter. It’s no secret that you burn more fuel the faster you drive. Driving at speeds above 120 kilometers per hour uses 27% more fuel than when you travel at 100 kilometers per hour.

According to the American Trucking Association, the sweet spot for most trucks is between 80-100 kilometers per hour. Reducing your speed, even a few kilometers per hour, can significantly increase your KMPL. In the end, that’s extra money in your pocket. Any vehicle will use more fuel when you accelerate hard. Trying to go too quickly, too fast puts stress on the engine and transmission, which burns fuel faster. Controlling your speed can help maximize fuel efficiency, and you can do that by:

• Using cruise control when it’s safe.
• Staying in the highest gear if possible.
• Using your truck’s natural momentum.

Idling your truck burns around 3 liters of fuel every hour, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If diesel is priced at 88 rupees per liter, a ten-hour rest period will cost you about 2640 rupees. You may find it beneficial to invest in an APU (auxiliary power unit) or climate control system to cut back on idling. The upfront costs may seem daunting, but these alternatives can help you save in the long run.

Tires can have a significant impact on your truck’s fuel economy and your wallet. Every drop in pressure decreases your kilometers per hour by 0.3%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In fact, properly inflated tires can save you around 9 rupees per kilometer on fuel. The right tire pressure for a truck depends on the following.

• Brand of tire
• Size of tire
• Type of the tire

You can save valuable time and money by mapping your route ahead of time. Trip planning will help prevent missed exits and wrong turns, which can lead to more kilometers and wasted fuel. Planning your trip can also help you avoid traffic jams and driving through rough terrain.

We hope this article gave you a better idea of how you can improve the fuel economy of your truck. Be sure to consider these tips next time you are on the road!