Awareness of good fuel economy is a trait of our professional drivers. Being conscious of your fuel economy and working towards good MPG is essential in the trucking industry! A few tips on getting good fuel mileage as reported over the years by our good people:
- Slow Down: Slower speeds make for less air resistance. If you go twice as fast you have 4 times the air resistance and it takes 4 times the power to push your truck. We have seen that 65-66mph is optimum speed for good fuel economy. Also, slowing down when wind and weather dictate the need can not only help you keep traction but also it will help with fuel mileage.
- Conserve Momentum: Looking ahead when driving, anticipating stop lights, signs, curves, and hills. Let your truck coast to the stop. Each time you use the brakes you turn momentum into useless heat.
- Know Your Truck: Walk around your truck each and every time you get into it. Keep snow and ice buildup knocked off. Be aware of tire pressures, oil changes, grease and DPF cleaning. Communicate with the shop if you feel there is something your truck needs – this is a team effort!
- The Shop: The shop plays an important part in our people getting good fuel mileage. Some tools we have are a graph that tells your history of shifting points, speed, etc. as well as a DPF cleaning machine and the ability to run overheads.
- Plan Ahead: Choose your routes and timing wisely. When you have a plan and are not in a rush it allows you to relax and focus on your driving and safety without the focus of rushing everywhere.
- 0-60 Soft Pedal: 0-60mph is the most crucial factor in good fuel mileage. Speeding up slowly as you leave a stop. Shift at low RPM’s. The less RPM’s your engine trunks the less fuel it is burning. Today’s engines have peak torque at 1250-1350 RPM’s and it is a good practice to shift around that range especially in the lower gears. Being easy on the throttle is almost the best way to increase your fuel economy.
A few additional tips:
Keep the engine BELOW 1500 RPM
Downshift around 1100 RPM
Upshift between 1000 and 1100 RPM
Use your cruise control as much as possible when conditions allow.
Keep your idle time to a minimum – if you are out of the truck, shut it off.
Start off slowly from a stop.
At Keane Thummel Trucking, there are several opportunities to earn bonuses based partially on your fuel mileage!
Thank you for everything that you do!
Sam Spargen
East Side Shop Manager
