By improving fuel economy, a driver can save money and also help the environment by emitting less pollutants into the air and lowering the country’s reliance on oil and its imports.
Driving habits matter a lot for fuel efficiency. The Australian Department of Energy says that poor driving habits can reduce fuel economy by 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in congested traffic, depending on the vehicle type.
As fuel prices keep rising in Australia, you may be looking for ways to cut down your fuel expenses. The good news is that you can improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by doing some simple maintenance and following some better driving habits. Safety tire pressure monitoring systems are designed to enhance the safety of Australian vehicles and offer drivers more confidence, lower fuel consumption, and longer tire life. Here are some tips that could help you save a lot of money on fuel every year, reduce the damage to your tipper truck, and protect the environment by reducing your emissions.
Tips to improve fuel efficiency
Maintain Tire Pressure
Under-inflated tires make your truck work harder and use more gas. How much more? A 2006 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that gas mileage drops by 0.2% for every one psi below the recommended pressure.
If your tires were 100 psi too low before you filled them up, you’ll improve your fuel efficiency by 2% when your tires are at the right pressure. That may seem small, but keeping your tires inflated is a simple solution, and it’ll make a difference over time. A 2001 survey from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of one fleet showed that one third of all vehicles had at least one tire “severely under inflated,” so tire pressure might be a more serious issue than you’d expect.
Half-fill truck Tank
Tim Trudgian, a mathematics research fellow at Australian National University, recently examined whether half-filling your petrol tank is cost-effective. He found that it varies depending on what you drive. Some tipper trucks save you money if you never fill more than half a tank; some trucks cost you more by filling up twice as often.
If you drive a Man or Dif, you probably should fill up the entire tank. The time you would waste filling more frequently would cancel out the small fuel savings. But for any vehicle that can hold over 80-90 L of fuel, keeping your tank under half full might be the wiser choice.
Avoid Idling
Idling means wasting gas. The more you idle, the worse. However, there’s a guideline for traffic lights: starting the engine uses as much fuel as idling for one minute. If it’s a quick light, leave your engine on, and you’ll likely save more. Similarly, stay away from drive-thrus if you can.
Choose the Best Route
The route you take can affect your fuel consumption as much as the truck itself. Driving in heavy traffic every day can lower your gas mileage significantly.
To bypass the congestion and find a smoother, more efficient route, you can use a truck GPS. These GPS are specially tailor-made for you, like pickup trucks and box truck drivers who want to save time and fuel, with features like detailed maps and fuel logs.
Maintain a constant speed
One way to increase the fuel efficiency of tipper trucks is to keep a consistent speed as much as possible. The frequent use of the accelerator and brakes lowers the fuel economy, and high speed consumes a lot of fuel. For example, research shows that a truck driving at 75 mph or 121 km/h uses 27% more petrol than a truck driving at 65 mph or 105 km/h on average. The driver can control the speed of the truck smoothly by paying attention to the speedometer. Another option is to consult the manual; for instance, www.infrastructure.gov.au service manual specifies the optimal speed limit for the trucker to follow for better fuel efficiency and engine version. Alternatively, some models have the cruise control feature, which is also a good way to maintain a steady speed.
Practice predictive driving
Predictive driving means being aware of the road ahead and adjusting your actions accordingly. For example, you can reduce your speed gradually when you see a red light instead of stopping abruptly. Or you can speed up slightly before you reach a hill rather than after. This way, you can avoid sudden accelerations that waste fuel, whether you are starting from a standstill or going uphill.
Switch off the engine when it’s not needed.
A simple way to save fuel is to turn off your tipper truck when you are not moving, such as in a traffic jam or at a red light. Studies show that you waste about 0.098 liters of fuel for every 10 minutes you keep your vehicle running. So, a good rule of thumb is to switch off your engine if you have to wait for more than 10 seconds. Another tip is to use the air-conditioner less, especially when you are driving slowly or parked, as it lowers your fuel efficiency. Make sure you only use the air-conditioner when you really need it.
Choose low viscosity Oil
Your oil pump’s efficiency affects your gas mileage significantly. If you use a thick oil, you may unknowingly make your oil pump work harder and lower your MPG. Therefore, opt for a thin oil, especially in cold weather.
Consult an auto repair professional before you switch your oil. In some situations (like when you carry heavy loads), you need heavier oil to protect your engine. An auto repair technician will guide you on how to select the right oil without compromising your truck’s health.
Conclusion
Implementing these simple tips can make your tipper truck more efficient and save gas. Among all the things we discussed, the electronic power programmers are the easiest way to boost your power and mileage. There are many programmers on the market that claim to improve your mileage, but it can be hard to choose one. Don’t worry; as we have mentioned, there are many tips to increase fuel efficiency. By following the above tips, you can significantly increase fuel efficiency and save your fuel costs.
