How to Increase Your Truck’s Fuel Efficiency

How to Increase Your Truck’s Fuel Efficiency

November 8, 2021  |  flatbed truck, fuel efficiency
Three diesel fuel pumps sit in a line. Overlay text reads "Make your truck fuel efficient."

Let’s be honest. The trucker’s life is pretty great.

  

The open road, a close-knit community, time to yourself, it’s hard to picture life getting much better than that. But one of the only parts we could do without is the time and money you have to spend stopping for gas.  

 

Wouldn’t it be nice if your truck was just a little bit more fuel-efficient? 

 

In this post, we will give you some tips to make your fuel last longer, so you can spend more time on the road. 

 

Increase Your Fuel Efficiency 

 

Below are some tips to make your truck more fuel-efficient. 

 

  1. Minimize cruise speed. A 1 MPH increase in speed is equal to a .14 MPG decrease for your engine.  

  1. Manage your cruise RPM. Find the sweet spot for your engine. Usually, the best range is 1250-1350 RPM.  

  1. Use low-cost stations. Use a trucking-specific GPS to plan out your trip and stop only at low-cost fuel stations.  

  1. Avoid unnecessary weight. Enough said. The more weight you are carrying adds up over long journeys. 
     

  1. Keep up your tire pressure. A decrease in 1 PSI decrease equals a 0.3% reduction in fuel mileage. 

  1. Minimize idling. 1 hour of idling takes up 1 gallon of fuel. Is your radio worth that much gas? 

  1. Don’t overfill your tank. Fuel expands when heated. If you have a full tank on your fuel starts to expand, your take is going to overflow.  

  1. Brake wisely. Every time you slow down, it takes gas to get you back up to speed. Leave space between your truck and the car in front of you to prevent you from braking too much.  

  1. Stay in higher gear. Drive in the highest gear you can. Driving at faster rates in low gear can consume 45% more fuel than you need.  

  1. Keep your load height low. Distribute your load evenly and keep the weight low on the truck bed’s floor.  

  1. Use your momentum. You don’t always need to keep your foot on the gas pedal to move forward. Use the momentum you already have to keep you going forward.  

  1. Minimize you’re A/C. Every time you use your A/C, your fuel consumption increases by 0.2-0.4 MPG.  

  1. Check vehicle alignment. Your tires must be straight or else you will lose many feet per mile. 
     

  1. Inspect your engine fan. An engine fan runs between 5-7% of the time the engine is on. The more the fan runs, the more horsepower the truck consumes. 

  1. Use cruise control. Cruise control limits unnecessary acceleration and saves up to 6% in fuel consumption.  

  1. Invest in aerodynamics. Install side fairings, deep angle bumpers, and trailer skirts. They will all reduce the air resistance on your truck and thus increase your fuel efficiency.  

 

Go Further with Less 

 

The better your fuel efficiency, the further you will go on less fuel. Not only will that save you time, but it will save you money as well.  

 

If you want to spend more time on the road, and less time at the truck stop, follow these tips. You can thank us later.  

 

If you're looking for an upgrade to your steel flatbed or forklift, reach out to Beamers Piggyback. We have the skills and know-how to make your truck work for you.