In the trucking industry, fuel economy is the name of the game to save money. When driving long hauls, you need to capitalize on decisions that maximize your time on the road. Here are a few ways you can make the most of each tank of gas as a truck driver.
How to Maximize Your Truck’s Efficiency
- Speed & Cruise Control
While it’s always essential to get to your destination on time, keeping an eye on your speed will drastically impact your fuel economy. For every 1 MPH increase, you MPG decreases by .14. In other words, the faster you drive, the quicker you burn fuel and the more money you need to spend on gas. Cruise control is also a valuable option for truck drivers; not only does it give your foot a break
during long drives, but it also gives your gas tank a break. By maintaining a speed instead of accelerating and decelerating continuously, you save valuable fuel.
- Minimize Stops & Idle Time
While you can’t entirely control getting stuck in traffic, it is essential to avoid idling as much as possible. One hour spent in idle burns about a gallon of gas from your trip, so don’t leave your truck running on stops either. When you take these breaks, try to make the most of that time, so you don’t have to stop as frequently. If you grab food, fill up your tank, stretch your legs, and use the restroom, you will save valuable time and money as a truck driver.
- Use Low-Cost Stations & Fuel-Efficient Products
Save money as a truck driver at the tank by comparing pricing before filling up. Some trucking-specific GPS systems will even plan your route guidance to stop at less-expensive fueling stations on the way. You can also find other after-market products explicitly made for maximizing truck efficiency. Add-ons like trailer skirts, aerodynamic mud flaps, and deep angled bumpers provide fuel efficiency and aerodynamic driving.
Are you looking for an efficient truck driving school to train you for your CDL license? The Hamrick School has helped over 10,000 truck drivers over the past 30 years to pursue excellence on the road. Through personalized instruction at their Medina, OH, campus, this ACCSC-accredited school will prep you for the CDL exam and connect you with top companies in the industry. For more information and to look at their start date options for 2019, visit them online or call (330) 239-2229 today.
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