The price of diesel fuel will be one of your biggest expenses once you buy a diesel truck. It can cost anywhere from $800 to $1,100 to fill up a diesel tank depending on the local price of fuel. Prices are rising and falling due to supply and demand, which can make it difficult to budget for this expense. If you want to save money, use these gas-saving diesel tips to cut back on your fuel usage.
Maintain Your Engine
Every diesel truck make and model will get a certain number of miles to the gallon, but these figures aren’t set in stone. Your actual fuel efficiency rating depends on how you drive and the condition of your vehicle. You will get fewer miles to the gallon if your vehicle needs to be repaired. Everything needs to go right for the truck to reach full fuel efficiency. If the fuel pressure is off, certain parts and components are clogged or the engine is too hot, you will burn through more fuel than necessary.
Schedule regular tune-ups to make sure your engine is running in peak form and monitor your fuel consumption to see if you are getting the most bang for your buck. Replace the fuel system parts as they age, including the fuel filter, injectors, and various sensors that control fuel pressure. If the fuel rating starts to fall off, test these parts to find the source of the problem. Your Powerstroke diesel engine will also burn through additional fuel without a working high-pressure oil pump (HPOP), which creates oil pressure in the fuel injectors, thus allowing them to fire. Replace your HPOP when the fuel pressure starts to drop.
These machines are made up of tens of thousands of parts that all need to work in sync. Shop for replacement diesel truck parts online to save money on repairs instead of paying full price at your local mechanic.
Limit Idling
Idling uses diesel fuel, so avoid running the engine unless you have somewhere to be. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, idling is bad for the environment and your business. The average long-haul truck burns through 1,500 gallons of fuel per year through idling alone. If the price of gas is around $3.61 per gallon, that means wasting around $5,400 each year in unnecessary fuel costs. Turn off the engine if it isn’t needed. That can be a challenge in the summer when you need to rely on the A/C, but try using a battery-powered fan or cooling unit instead to conserve fuel.
Use a Fuel Card
Drivers can also use fuel cards to save money at the pump. These cards are available at some of the leading gas and fuel companies. They come with built-in discounts that can save you thousands of dollars per year on your entire fleet. The fuel company will also set the price of fuel for cardholders for the entire week, so you can easily budget out your expenses without worrying about day-to-day price changes. Using a card also makes it easier to keep track of how much you and your employees are spending on fuel. Your account on the card will automatically tally the total for tax and accounting purposes. The card may only be accepted at certain gas stations, so you’ll need to be strategic in terms of where you refuel. If you go to a non-participating station, you will have to pay full price.
Stay Under the Speed Limit
The faster you drive, the more fuel you will burn. Slow down to save money on trips by obeying the posted speed limit. Hitting the brakes will also waste precious acceleration power, so be sure to scan the road for any upcoming obstacles, so you can slowly ease your foot off the gas without slamming on the brakes. Avoid high-traffic areas that require a lot of stop-and-go. The trick is to maintain a consistent speed across long distances.
Choose the Best Route
Taking the most direct route will also help you and your team steer clear of potential delays and obstacles that will deplete your fuel tank. Use Google Maps and other driving apps to avoid areas of construction, busy intersections, and road closures. Your driver should know how to get to and from the destination without getting lost or making unnecessary pit stops. Find places to rest and refuel when planning your route to figure out every turn ahead of time. Use automatic traffic alerts to notify drivers of unexpected delays. Supply chain managers can also track the fleet’s location on the map so they can reroute drivers in real-time. Diesel fuel is a necessary expense, but it can wreck your budget if you’re not careful. Look for ways to reduce fuel consumption by increasing efficiency at every turn.