6 Ways Truck Drivers Can Boost Fuel Efficiency
We all know gas is expensive, and for truck drivers nothing rings truer. That’s why it’s more important than ever for professionals in the trucking industry to be smart about how they fuel up.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways to shave off a few pennies here and there when hitting the road. In this blog post, we share 6 savvy tricks for truckers to save on fuel.
1. Slow down
The faster you go, the more fuel is needed to power your truck forward. Be mindful about sticking to the speed limit or even a bit below it. Not only will this help save fuel, but it’s safer as well.
2. Watch your RPMs
Besides slowing down, truck drivers can monitor the RPMs to find that perfect level of speed that uses the least amount of fuel. On average for most this tends to be between 1250 and 1350 RPMs.
3. Plan your stops with precision
Unnessessary driving is a good way to squander gas. Try to plan your trips so that you can take care of multiple tasks at one place. For example, if you’re going to stop for gas, try to plan it around meal time or when you need to use the toilet/stock up on supplies.
4. Lessen the load
The heavier your truck weighs the more fuel it’ll need to haul the load. Before each trip if possible, familiarize yourself with how much your load weighs and try to cut out on unnecessary items that you absoluetly don’t need.
5. Check your tire pressure
Did you know that every 1 PSI drop in tire pressure can lower your fuel mileage by 0.3%? That’s why it’s always a good idea to check your tire pressure before heading out on the road.
6. Take it easy on the air conditioning
When the weather heats up, blasting the air conditioner can be tempting…but remember that this sucks up gasoline. Try to cut down on AC use by driving with the windows cracked instead. Even minimizing use makes a difference.