Check out our simple tips to help drive Fuel Efficiency…
1. Control your speed…
Speed is the Number One reason for increased fuel consumption and reduced profit. Higher speed requires more horsepower and this in turn requires more fuel! Dropping your speed by just 10mph can reduce your fuel intake and have a surprising impact on overall consumption, especially on longer journeys. Your speed directly affects the vehicles aerodynamic efficiency. Higher speed increases aerodynamic drag resulting in a negative effect on fuel consumption.
A recent study by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory compared the fuel economy of 74 vehicles at speeds of 50, 60, 70 and 80 mph, showing that for each additional 10 mph, fuel economy decreased by around 14%. In other words, from 50 to 60 mph, fuel economy drops by 12%, from 50 to 70 mph it drops by 25%, and from 50 to 80 mph fuel economy drops by 36%!
- Slower Driving = Fuel Savings
- Always be aware of your speed
2. Tyres – Keep them correctly inflated… all of them.
One of the key elements to consider for good fuel economy is rolling resistance. Tyres that are correctly inflated offer less resistance on the road which increases MPG and improves overall fuel efficiency. Note – the biggest difference tyres make to MPG occurs at speeds below 50 mph.
It’s also good to remember that well inflated tyres will increase the stability of your vehicle, decrease the wear on your tyres and in turn extend the life of your tyres, which decreases overall running costs.
It’s an all around WIN.
- Weekly pressure checks should be carried out to the manufacturer’s specifications
3. Braking – Harsh braking uses more fuel.
Keep your eyes on the road ahead and anticipate potential hazards that will put an end to avoidable heavy braking. A slow and gradual deceleration with avoid any sudden or harsh brakes and improve efficiency.
- Anticipate the road ahead – avoid heavy braking
- Adopt a gradual and smooth deceleration process
4. Idle Time – Engine idling wastes fuel, money, and increases emissions.
Keep idle time to a minimum. An idling heavy-duty truck typically consumes around a GALLON of fuel every hour. Are you stationary in traffic? Do you really need your engine running? If not, turn it off.