How to Make Your Truck More Fuel Efficient

Even though semi-trucks aren’t known for their fuel efficiency, there are steps you can take to help improve how much fuel you’re using. In a previous article, we talked about how you can drive your truck more efficiently. In this article, we’ll discuss changes you can make to your truck and trailer to improve fuel efficiency. Some are quick and relatively inexpensive, while others may require a larger investment depending on your equipment and operation.

Pay Attention to Aerodynamics

Aerodynamic drag has a major impact on fuel economy, especially during highway-speed operation. This is why one of the goals when it comes to spec’ing your truck should be to minimize aerodynamic drag. Aerodynamic drag is the force that makes it harder for a truck to go forward, and it’s caused when air is no longer smoothly flowing around the truck and trailer.

There are many improvements you can make to your truck and trailer to improve aerodynamics. Below is a list of a few of the most common:

• Drive Fenders - The first chance to allow air to pass smoothly along the rest of the vehicle

• Cab Extenders - Reduce airflow disruption between the tractor and trailer, especially when there is a larger gap

• Wheel Covers - Close gaps in the wheel to prevent air from getting into the crevices

• Side Skirts - Prevent air from going underneath the trailer by keeping it flowing smoothly along the side

• Trailer Tail - The tapered shape reduces drag from the low-pressure wake created behind the trailer

These are just a few of the more common upgrades you can make to your truck and trailer to make it more fuel-efficient. Also pay attention to the tractor-trailer gap, damaged or missing fairings, mudflap positioning, and proper installation of aerodynamic equipment. The idea is to have everything working together to make the entire tractor-trailer as fuel-efficient as possible. Actual savings depend on the device, installation, speed, route, weather, and overall truck configuration.

Tires

In addition to wheel covers, there are many things you need to pay attention to when it comes to your tires in order to improve fuel efficiency. Some drivers choose wide-base tires instead of conventional dual tires because certain models and configurations can reduce rolling resistance. The actual fuel-economy improvement depends on the tire, inflation, load, application, road conditions, and whether compatible tires are used throughout the tractor-trailer.

New tires may initially have slightly higher rolling resistance because of their deeper tread. However, drivers should never prioritize fuel economy over safe tread depth, traction, stopping performance, or proper tire condition. Choose tires suited to your operation, inspect them regularly, and replace them according to manufacturer recommendations and applicable safety requirements.

Make sure to also keep your tires properly inflated. Proper inflation can improve safety, tire life, and fuel economy while reducing the risk of heat buildup and tire failure. Check pressure regularly and follow the tire and vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for your load and application.

Lubricants

Using fuel-efficient lubricants is a change that may help improve your fuel efficiency. Lubricants limit the damage of important components of the vehicle, including the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Without lubricants, these parts of your vehicle will grind together, causing wear and tear.

If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient lubricant, consider a low-viscosity product that meets the engine, transmission, axle, warranty, and viscosity requirements specified by the equipment manufacturer. Low-viscosity lubricants are less resistant to flow than conventional lubricants, which can help reduce friction and energy losses.

Fuel savings vary based on the complete lubricant formulation, vehicle design, operating temperatures, speeds, duty cycle, and the product being replaced. While some fuel-efficient lubricants cost more than conventional products, the potential fuel and maintenance savings may offset the added cost. Review the manufacturer’s specifications and expected return before changing products.

Additional Recommendations

Think About Your Fuel

Make sure you’re aware of the type of diesel you’re using and the amount you’re carrying. Fuel performance can vary depending on the season and weather. In cold conditions, use winter-grade diesel or a fuel blend appropriate for the expected temperatures. Follow your engine manufacturer’s guidance on approved cold-weather fuel treatments, and purchase fuel from reputable stations that adjust their diesel blends seasonally. Keep this in mind when traveling between warm and cold climates.

It’s also important not to overfill your tank. High temperatures can lead to fuel expansion and overflowing, which wastes fuel and money. Carrying more fuel than you need also adds weight, but balance that consideration with your route, fuel prices, parking availability, and the need to avoid running low.

Eliminate Unnecessary Weight

Aside from extra fuel and big changes you need to make to your truck or trailer, there are ways to eliminate extra weight. Obviously, you have to haul the weight of the load you’re carrying. But there may be other things you can remove, such as tools, equipment, supplies, food, or clothing that are rarely used.

Anything that adds significant weight to your truck should have a practical purpose. Make sure what you’re carrying is what you need.

Keep Your Equipment Maintained

Pre-trip and post-trip inspections should be a part of your daily routine when you’re on the road. If you notice things that are broken or damaged on your truck, make sure you’re getting them looked at and potentially fixed. On top of avoiding major maintenance down the road, you can discover leaks, damage, corrosion, and other factors that could harm your fuel efficiency.

A couple of simple things you should make sure stay maintained are wheel alignments and air filters. Wheels fighting against each other can decrease fuel efficiency. Follow the engine manufacturer’s inspection and replacement guidance for air filters because unnecessary replacement may not improve fuel economy on modern electronically controlled engines.

Reduce Idle Time

Idling increases fuel consumption and can increase engine maintenance costs. A heavy-duty truck can use about 0.8 gallon of diesel per hour while idling, although actual consumption varies by engine speed, load, and accessory use. Reduce unnecessary idling whenever it is safe and practical to do so, and follow engine-manufacturer guidance for extreme weather, regeneration, equipment operation, and other operating needs.

Idle-reduction options can provide heating, cooling, electricity, or accessory power without continuously running the truck’s main engine. Depending on the operation, options may include diesel or battery-electric APUs, bunk heaters, battery-powered HVAC systems, automatic engine shutoff controls, generators, or electrified parking.

These are just a few of the ways you can make your truck more fuel-efficient without buying completely new equipment. Some upgrades may pay for themselves through lower fuel use, but evaluate the purchase price, expected savings, maintenance requirements, operating conditions, and how long you plan to keep the equipment. It may take some trial and error to find out what needs to be done to make your truck as fuel-efficient as possible.

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Sources

• https://freightliner.com/blog-and-newsletters/how-to-get-the-semi-truck-fuel-economy-you-were-promised/

• https://keeptruckin.com/blog/spec-vehicles-fuel-mileage

• https://www.freightwaves.com/news/getting-the-right-specs-for-fuel-efficiency

• https://www.fleetowner.com/running-green/fuel/article/21660208/fuel-economy-101

• https://www.worktruckonline.com/153517/6-ways-to-save-on-fuel-with-medium-duty-truck-specs

• https://www.noregon.com/how-to-improve-fleet-fuel-economy/