How To Improve Gas Mileage on a Truck: 9 Essential Tips
High fuel costs can seriously dent your bottom line, especially for truckers who spend thousands annually on fuel. According to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), fuel is the second-largest expense for trucking companies, just behind driver wages. Improving fuel efficiency is a smart financial move and a way to reduce wear and tear on your equipment, extend its lifespan, and lower your environmental impact.
Whether you’re an owner-operator or part of a fleet, adopting efficient driving habits and maintaining your truck can make all the difference. Let’s explore nine essential tips for improving your truck’s gas mileage and saving money on the road.
1. Reduce Speeds
Speeding might get you to your destination faster, but it burns significantly more fuel. Fuel economy starts to decrease at speeds above 50 to 55 miles per hour. Lowering driving speed from 75 miles per hour to 65 saves 15% of fuel.
Reducing your speed also lowers the stress on your truck’s engine and brakes, contributing to lower maintenance costs and longer equipment lifespan.
2. Cruise at the Most Efficient RPM
Most trucks operate at peak fuel efficiency when cruising between 1,250 and 1,350 RPM. Operating outside this range causes the engine to work harder, increasing fuel consumption.
Why is this range ideal? At lower RPMs, the engine maintains power output without overexertion, reducing fuel burn and wear on internal components. Check your truck’s manual or consult with your fleet manager to identify your truck’s most efficient RPM range, and use adaptive cruise control to help maintain it whenever possible.
3. Consolidate Stops
Frequent stops and starts require more energy, as accelerating burns more fuel than maintaining a consistent speed. Planning your route to consolidate stops can significantly improve your truck’s efficiency. For example, instead of stopping separately for fuel, a meal, and a restroom break, combine all activities into a single stop.
4. Keep Truck Weight Down
Every extra pound your truck carries requires more fuel to move. Removing unnecessary cargo or equipment can help improve your mileage. While calculating the relationship between fuel consumption rates (FCR) and truck weight is complicated by many factors like condition, speed, and acceleration, many studies show that weight increases dramatically increase FCR. In fact, a 15-25-ton truck uses 290% more fuel than a 5-ton truck.
While most of the weight you haul is just part of the job, you can take some steps to improve gas mileage in this area. Take the time to empty out old equipment, unused tools, or unnecessary items in your cab. While it might not seem like much, these small weight reductions can add up to noticeable fuel savings. The improvements might be nominal over a single haul, but they will certainly add up over a year.
5. Check Your Tires
Tires play a critical role in fuel efficiency. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which forces your truck to use more energy to move. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that keeping tires properly inflated can improve fuel economy by up to 3.3%.
Regularly check your tire pressure, alignment, and tread condition. Proper inflation ensures optimal rolling resistance, while aligned tires prevent uneven wear, reducing the need for premature replacements. Invest in low-rolling-resistance tires to further enhance efficiency, as recommended by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE).
6. Minimize Idling
The Argonne National Laboratory estimates that more than one billion gallons of fuel are used yearly to power idling trucks. Idling uses up to a gallon of fuel per individual truck per hour, depending on the model. While some idling is unavoidable, such as during loading or extreme weather conditions, reducing unnecessary idling time can lead to significant fuel savings. Auxiliary power units (APUs) provide an excellent alternative, allowing you to power your cab’s systems without running the engine.
7. Make Your Truck Aerodynamic
Aerodynamics significantly affects fuel efficiency, particularly at highway speeds. Wind resistance increases exponentially as speed rises, so reducing drag is essential.
Simple fixes like removing unnecessary equipment, ensuring tarps and covers are secure, and adding aerodynamic devices such as side skirts or streamlined mirrors can make a big difference. The NACFE suggests that aerodynamic improvements, particularly with aerodynamic devices, can boost fuel efficiency by more than 10%.
8. Stay on Top of Preventative Maintenance
A well-maintained truck runs more efficiently. Regular oil changes, clean air filters, and properly functioning fuel injectors are all critical to maintaining optimal fuel economy. Establish a preventative maintenance schedule and stick to it. Not only will this improve fuel efficiency, but it will also help identify potential mechanical issues before they become costly repairs.
9. Join the QFS Transportation Team
Efficiency doesn’t stop with the truck—it extends to the team supporting you. At QFS Transportation, we put drivers first, offering resources and a network to help you succeed. Here’s what sets us apart:
- A Dedicated Safety Team: We prioritize your safety, ensuring you can focus on the road.
- Mobile App: Manage loads, routes, and schedules with ease.
- Road-Home Balance: Choose the lanes you want to run and achieve the work-life balance you deserve.
With over 60 terminals nationwide, QFS provides unmatched support to our Owner Operators. Ready to take your career to the next level? Apply today:
