CR England Girl

Here are some tips from a truck driver on how to get better fuel economy-

These tips are designed to help you burn less fuel so you can keep more money in your pocket.

1. Start by Limiting Your Speed:
   Every 5 miles per hour you slow down will give you an extra ½ mile per gallon. Set your cruise around sixty instead of 65 and you’ll see a savings.
2. Stay on the “Paid Route”:
   Staying on the route your expected to use assures you that you get paid for all the miles you drive. Think twice before taking that detour for personal reasons and you’ll drive fewer non-paid miles.
3. Balanced RPM Management:
   Maintaining good smooth acceleration and smooth deceleration will keep you under 1800 RPM. The fewer miles you drive at higher RPM’s the better mileage you will get. Higher RPM’s burn fuel faster.
4. Idle reductions:
   Ignore that old wives tail that says starting and stopping the engine burns more fuel than idling and you will save some serious money. It is just an old wives tail. If your not going to be driving, shut the truck down.
5. Don’t Forget Regular Maintenance:
   A well-maintained tractor burns less fuel so keep up on your maintenance. Regular tire pressure checks and air filter checks will keep your equipment running efficiently. Poor tire pressure and air filters can create poor fuel economy quickly.

These days, truck stops and travel centers offer much more than just fuel; they offer truckers a wide array of amenities and features they can utilize during their down time.  Here a few tips to help you take full advantage of each and every stop.

• Make it your office!  Make use out of any business or communication center the truck stop offers where you can fill out paperwork, contact your carrier, complete your log, and do any other business-related work you can’t do on the road.
• Have routine maintenance done on your tractor-trailer – does it need an oil change or a wash?
• If you’re an independent contractor looking for your next load, many truck stops have load board where you can find your next job.  Sometimes even carriers looking to hire will post available truck driving jobs.
• Stop at places that offer workout and shower facilities and use your downtime to get in shape.
• Most truck drivers travel with laptops and most truck stops offer Wi-Fi internet access which you can use to send emails, search for jobs, and stay in touch with your family and friends.
• Sleep!  It’s important to feel well-rested before next shift so pull into a stop and get some shut-eye.  Don’t have a sleeper cab?  Many truck stops offer lodging for truckers.

Remember the financial burden of purchasing fuel just one year ago?  We may be in the midst of economic turmoil but at least you aren’t also paying $5 for a gallon of diesel!  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the current average price of diesel is $2.22 a gallon.  The lowest prices of fuel can be found around the Gulf Coast (approximately $2.44 a gallon) while the most expensive area to purchase fuel is in (no surprise) California, as $2.70.

Want to know who has the lowest price of fuel in your area?  Check out GasPriceWatch.com – simply enter your address or zipcode, select diesel, and it will show you the cost of a gallon of diesel at various stops wherever you are!

And reducing fuel consumption means cutting costs…good news for any trucker!

• Slow Down – Speeding just isn’t dangerous, it also wastes fuel.  Slowing down just 10 miles per hour from 75 to 65 can increase the mpg of a big rig by more than one mile per gallon.  So ease up, lead foot!
• Lose the Weight – …from your cab that is!  Lighten your truck’s load by just 100 pounds and you will significantly reduce the amount of fuel needed to haul it.
• Get a Tune-Up – Keeping your truck in tip-top shape will ensure you’re getting the best possible fuel mileage.  Schedule regular tune-ups for your big rig and it will perform better on the road, reduce overall maintenance costs, and improve fuel efficiency.
• Quit Idling – Not only is idling illegal in many parts of the country, it’s also detrimental to your gas mileage!  In fact, excessive idling can add nearly 50% to fuel costs.  Find alternative, cheaper ways to heat or cool your cab such as an auxiliary power unit.
• Increase Inflation – Keeping your tires properly inflated is another simple yet highly effective way to improve gas mileage.  It’s estimated that doing so will not only increase brake performance and the life of your tires, but can save as much as two weeks worth of fuel every year.