Improving Fuel Economy for Your 18-Wheeler | West Coast Enterprises

It is no secret that semi trucks are not known for their fuel economy—and given how much fuel they require, even a few cents of fluctuation can make a big impact on your wallet when you go to fill up. Plus, depending on how far you are driving, you may find yourself hitting the pumps more often than you would like, creating a compounding issue that can get expensive quickly.

While there is no way to completely eliminate the cost of fueling for 18-wheelers, there are some ways that you can increase their fuel economy and hopefully find yourself shelling out less cash for each trip. Read on for our top tips on how to do it!

How to Increase Your Tractor Trailer Fuel Economy

Reduce your time spent idling. Idling is a major fuel-waster, and in many cases, it is unnecessary to leave your truck running for long periods of time. Though idling uses less fuel than actively driving, it still requires quite a bit—and with many places actually having laws against idling for extended periods now, it is good to get out of the habit entirely.

Utilize your cruise control. Did you know that cruise control can save you up to 6% in fuel consumption? By reducing unnecessary acceleration and deceleration as you drive, cruise control keeps your engine’s speed more consistent, thus fluctuating diesel requirements less often—which can lead to major savings over the course of a trip.

Drive at lower speeds. For every mile per hour increase over 55, 18-wheelers experience a 0.1 mile per gallon reduction in their fuel economy. While this might not sound like a lot, if you are driving on a long trip, this can seriously add up. Driving at lower speeds can help you save on diesel costs and keep you safer on the road, as well, so be sure to watch your speed on each trip.

Avoid overfilling your tank. Diesel pumps are equipped with an auto shut-off that is triggered once the tank is full, but many people give the pump an extra squeeze to “top it off”—which can actually hurt fuel economy. Fuel can expand under warm conditions, making any extra in the tank a waste.

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