Truck Driving Best Practices for Fuel Efficiency

The most unpredictably significant expense for independent truckers and fleet operations is fuel, accounting for around 35% of total operating costs. While CDL professionals have little control over insurance premiums, licenses, permits, and semi-truck maintenance costs, there are ways drivers can significantly reduce fuel expenses, even as diesel prices continue to fluctuate wildly.

Use Cruise Control in Non-Congested Areas

Cruise control is a valuable asset for truck drivers, not just because it gives your foot a break, but because it helps regulate vehicle speed and reduce fuel consumption. On long, flat roadways, cruise control reportedly improves fuel efficiency by as much as 14%. Even a professional driver can’t hold a consistent speed over hundreds of miles. That being said, using cruise control is not necessarily a good practice in hilly areas because it can push the engine hard to compensate for inclines.

Carefully Plan Routes

Truckers can sidestep some of the worst road construction backups and traffic congestion through careful route planning. Standard GPS apps, like Google Maps, can identify the shortest, most fuel-efficient routes, but they may not show traffic and construction until they are active, and by then, it may be too late to make a meaningful route change.

TruckerApp and other similar apps designed for truck drivers can help you identify highway construction, estimate the time you’ll be entering high-traffic metro areas, and communicate with other truck drivers for real-time road condition updates.

Don’t Leave Your Truck Running During Breaks

Don’t fall into the habit of leaving your engine running, even for short breaks. It’s a waste of fuel. If you have to stay overnight in excessive heat or cold, invest in a portable fan or heater, use blankets, or keep your windows rolled down and use screens to improve air circulation.

Check & Maintain Tire Pressure

Low tire pressure contributes to unnecessary diesel usage because it forces the engine to work a little harder. At 10 PSI under the manufacturer-recommended metric, semis will consume between 0.5 and 1% more fuel. The lower the tire pressure, the more money you waste on diesel. Recheck your tire PSI at intervals during long runs to get the most out of your fuel tank, especially during cold weather or after experiencing fluctuating temperatures.

Replace Worn Tires

Worn tires won’t necessarily decrease fuel efficiency, but bald tires create more friction and lose pressure more frequently. The real reason to replace worn tires is to prevent hydroplaning and other safety risks, but the added advantage is newer tires will hold pressure better and contribute to better fuel efficiency.

Practice Progressive Shifting

Keeping a truck engine within its optimal torque range helps reduce diesel use. As the RPMs increase, the engine draws more heavily on fuel to generate power. Progressive shifting, practiced by upshifting earlier, keeps RPMs as low as possible. This practice can take some time to perfect, but it will result in better fuel efficiency and less wear on the engine.

Plan Loads & Weight Distribution

Fleet drivers may not always have a great deal of control over the way cargo is distributed, but load distribution can have a direct impact on how much diesel is needed. An evenly distributed load spreads the friction over more axles, lowering drag/decreasing wind resistance. If you have control over load distribution, use the 60/40 rule, where 60% of cargo is positioned in front of the trailer axle, and 40% behind the axle.

Learn How to Drive at TSI

TSI offers a six-week paid CDL training program for individuals interested in entering the trucking industry or current drivers who need retraining. Our program includes three days of in-class orientation followed by several weeks of on-the-road experience, where we help you learn delivery planning, pre-trip inspections, load securing and distribution techniques, hazard recognition, FMCSA regulatory guidance, eco driving, and more.

Visit our website to learn more about this opportunity or to sign up.