Ameer Randolph
With diesel fuel prices on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important for fleet managers and owner-operators to find ways to increase their diesel engine's fuel mileage and save money. There are two main ways to do this: behavioural changes and engine modifications. Behavioural changes include watching your speed, using cruise control, and reducing idling, while engine modifications can include installing aftermarket equipment, using synthetic oil, and upgrading to newer, more fuel-efficient models. Additionally, proper maintenance and the use of high-quality biodiesel blends can also help to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Watch your speed | Driving over 55 mph reduces fuel economy by 0.1 mpg for every additional mile per hour |
| Use cruise control | Advanced cruise control systems can boost efficiency by optimizing engine and travel speed |
| Operate in the highest gear | Reduce engine RPMs to reduce fuel consumption |
| Avoid idling | Idling burns about 0.75 gallons of diesel fuel per hour in a Class 8 tractor-trailer |
| Preventative maintenance | Oil and air filter changes can improve fuel efficiency |
| Use appropriate equipment | Smaller tractors operated at high RPMs and loads are less fuel-efficient than larger machines |
| Upgrade equipment | Newer technology is more fuel-efficient than older generations |
| Use biodiesel blends | All diesel models are compatible with blends of up to 20% biodiesel, which help reduce emissions |
| Reduce drag | Installing vortex generators, fairings, and other devices can save thousands of dollars per year |
| Use synthetic oil | Switching to synthetic oil can improve fuel economy by up to 11% |
| Smooth acceleration | Avoid excessive fuel burning by accelerating smoothly and steadily |
| Use shore power | Truckstop electrification saves fuel by allowing drivers to plug in rather than idle |
| Avoid revving | Get to the next gear slowly to reduce fuel consumption |
| Run at peak torque | Operating in the peak torque zone gives the best possible horsepower and fuel mileage |
| Use air conditioning sparingly | Running the AC consumes additional fuel |
| Anticipate traffic | Avoid complete stops by anticipating upcoming traffic lights or maintaining distance from the vehicle ahead |
| Use truck stops at the top of hills | Downhill momentum requires less fuel |
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What You'll Learn
The impact of aggressive driving on fuel mileage
Aggressive driving, including speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking, can significantly impact fuel mileage and efficiency. Speeding is one of the most well-known contributors to high fuel consumption. For example, a truck travelling at 75 mph uses 27% more fuel than at 65 mph, and fuel economy decreases by 0.1 mpg for every mile per hour increase in speed over 55 mph. Driving at lower speeds can therefore improve fuel efficiency.
Rapid acceleration also hurts fuel mileage, as it increases fuel burning. A smooth, steady acceleration is preferable to prevent this. Driving on flat terrain with cruise control can also help maintain a constant speed without the need to accelerate. Additionally, idling can burn up to 0.75 gallons of diesel fuel per hour in a Class 8 tractor-trailer, so it is recommended to shut down the engine when the vehicle is parked.
Overall, aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 10-40% in stop-and-go traffic and 15-30% at highway speeds. This can lead to a loss of $0.25 to $1 per gallon. Technologies such as telematics and video safety programs can help monitor and reduce aggressive driving, and driver feedback devices can also help improve fuel economy.
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Reducing drag on tractor trailers
Diesel fuel prices are on the rise, so it is important to know some ways to save fuel and money. One of the most widely accepted ways to improve fuel efficiency in trucking fleets is to reduce drag. Here are some ways to reduce drag on tractor trailers:
Aerodynamic Devices
Manufacturers have made significant progress in reducing the drag coefficient of a typical freight truck over the past two decades, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that further efforts to improve aerodynamics could result in a further 25% reduction in drag. Aerodynamic devices such as vortex generators, fairings, side skirts, vented mud flaps, drive fenders, and wheel covers can be installed to reduce drag. An aerodynamic long-haul combination truck can achieve an 11% increase in fuel economy. Additionally, an increase in back-of-cab pressure can reduce overall drag on the tractor-trailer, especially in high crosswind environments. The TruckWings® tractor-mounted aerodynamic device is an example of a product that can increase fuel efficiency by closing the gap between the tractor and trailer.
Maintain Optimal Speeds
Driving at a lower speed can improve fuel efficiency. Each mile per hour increase in speed over 55 mph decreases fuel economy by 0.1 mpg. Therefore, it is common to see a 55-mph speed limit for vehicles on the highway. Cruise control can be used to maintain a constant speed and improve fuel efficiency, especially on flat terrain.
Reduce Engine RPMs
Operating the truck in the highest possible gear and reducing engine RPMs can reduce fuel consumption. Additionally, accelerating smoothly and steadily can prevent excessive fuel burning.
Preventative Maintenance
Performing preventative maintenance, such as oil and air filter changes, can help maximize fuel efficiency.
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Using the right size equipment
Using the right size of equipment for the job is an important factor in saving on diesel fuel. Diesel engines are more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines of a similar size, but there are still ways to improve mileage and save money.
Firstly, underpowered smaller tractors and equipment operated at high RPMs and loads will be less fuel-efficient than larger machines. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the equipment is appropriately sized for the task at hand. For example, a larger machine may be more fuel-efficient for a task that requires high RPMs and loads.
Secondly, consider upgrading your equipment to newer, advanced technology diesel options. These newer models are more fuel-efficient than older generations. Additionally, consider utilizing blends of high-quality biodiesel fuels, which are compatible with all available diesel models and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Another way to ensure you are using the right-sized equipment is to monitor your fuel mileage. Installing a monitor that tracks your miles per gallon in real-time can help you identify areas where you can improve your fuel efficiency. This includes curbing aggressive driving behaviours, such as accelerating too quickly, which can hurt your engine's fuel mileage.
Finally, it is important to perform preventive maintenance on your equipment according to the suggested schedule. Proper maintenance, such as oil and air filter changes, can help maximize fuel efficiency and ensure your equipment is running at optimal performance.
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The benefits of cruise control
Diesel fuel prices are on the rise, and one way to reduce fuel consumption is to use cruise control for smoother driving. Advanced cruise control systems are predictive and can dramatically boost efficiency. They optimize engine and travel speed based on the load, and some can even slow down with the traffic.
Cruise control allows you to maintain a constant speed without having to step on the gas pedal, which improves overall fuel efficiency. It eliminates unnecessary acceleration and deceleration, which can eat up more gas. For example, a vehicle's gas depletion increases by 20% when the speed fluctuates between 47 and 53 mph every 18 seconds, compared to when cruise control is calibrated to 50 mph.
The use of cruise control is dependent on road conditions, the year the car was made, and the car model. It is beneficial when driving on a highway or a flat road with no traffic congestion. However, it is not recommended for driving on mountainous terrain, sharp inclines, or black ice.
Cruise control also has the added benefit of reducing driver fatigue during long-distance driving by maintaining a constant speed and keeping a safe distance from other vehicles. It can also help improve driver focus and reduce speeding tickets.
While cruise control can help improve fuel efficiency, there are other ways to save fuel. These include reducing drag, utilizing fuel additives, and using high-quality fluids such as synthetic oil, which can improve fuel economy by up to 11%.
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The importance of regular maintenance
Regular maintenance is essential to ensuring the fuel efficiency of diesel vehicles. While diesel engines are more fuel-efficient than similar-sized gasoline engines, there are still many ways to improve their mileage and save money.
Firstly, preventive maintenance such as oil and air filter changes can help to maximise fuel efficiency. It is also important to use the right type of oil; switching from standard to synthetic oil can improve fuel economy by up to 11%. High-quality fluids, in general, tend to improve overall fuel mileage.
Secondly, it is important to keep track of your driving behaviour. Aggressive driving behaviours such as accelerating quickly and speeding can hurt your diesel engine's fuel mileage. Driving at a lower speed and using cruise control can dramatically improve fuel efficiency. Installing a monitor that tracks your miles per gallon in real-time can help you to maintain good driving behaviours.
Thirdly, using the right equipment can make a big difference. Underpowered smaller tractors operated at high RPMs and loads will be less fuel-efficient than larger machines. Upgrading to newer models with advanced technology can also improve fuel efficiency.
Finally, there are aftermarket products available that can improve fuel mileage. For example, vortex generators, fairings, side skirts, vented mud flaps, drive fenders, and wheel covers can all help to reduce drag on tractor-trailers. However, it is important to note that not all aftermarket products improve fuel mileage, and some can be very expensive for minimal returns.
In conclusion, regular maintenance and the implementation of new technologies can greatly improve the fuel efficiency of diesel vehicles. By following suggested maintenance schedules and seeking advice from certified diesel mechanics, fleet managers and owner-operators can save money and improve their vehicles' performance.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several modifications you can make to your vehicle to save diesel fuel. You can install aftermarket equipment to improve fuel mileage, although many of these products do not actually improve fuel mileage. Reducing drag on your vehicle with vortex generators, fairings, side skirts, vented mud flaps, drive fenders, and wheel covers can save thousands of dollars per year. You can also switch from standard to synthetic oil, which can improve fuel economy by as much as 11%. Upgrading to a newer vehicle can also improve fuel efficiency.
There are several ways to save diesel fuel by adjusting your driving habits. You can reduce your speed, as driving over 55 mph decreases fuel economy by 0.1 mpg for every additional mile per hour. You can also use cruise control, which can boost efficiency by optimizing engine and travel speed based on the load. Additionally, you can avoid idling, which burns about 0.75 gallons of diesel fuel per hour in a Class 8 tractor-trailer truck.
Aside from modifying your vehicle and changing your driving habits, you can save diesel fuel by using the right size equipment for the job. Underpowered smaller tractors operated at high RPMs and loads will be less fuel-efficient than a larger machine. You can also use blends of high-quality biodiesel fuels, which are compatible with all diesel models and help reduce emissions. Furthermore, you can save an average of $0.55 per gallon of diesel fuel by taking advantage of discounts at fueling locations and truck stops within fuel networks.
