ALT-7 Ways to Increase your Trucks Gas Mileage
As I write, the price of crude oil has topped a record $120 USD per barrel, and the trend shows no sign of stopping. Depending upon where in the world you live, this translates to a likely minimum of nearly $4 USD per gallon of gas to as high as 2 euros a litre (varies, but almost certainly over $12 USD a gallon). I could write about carpooling or alternate forms of transportation or simply using your truck less: but that doesn't tell you anything about how to reduce mileage, only how to reduce gas consumption generally.
Thus I begin with the assumption that you have a truck, that you are going to be driving it, and that you want to know how to make that fill-up last as long as possible. However, it does bear noting that many of these tips also translate over into other types of vehicles.
Your style of driving will quickly alter your mileage. Remember why the 55 mph speed limit was first introduced, back in 1974 during the OPEC oil embargo? The faster you drive, the more fuel you will consume per mile. Then, the fuel-saving limit was introduced to reduce reliance on foreign oil sources. Today, it can greatly improve your mileage. You may wish to use cruise control to set an appropriate speed.
Other changes in driving patterns which can significantly improve your mileage:
- MINIMISE IDLING. This means cutting back on warming up the truck to a minute or less, and also turning off the truck if you find yourself waiting at a railroad crossing or a drive-through for more than a few minutes. In fact, it is probably a good idea to forego the drive-through entirely. Not only will you save gas, but you will probably get faster service!
- AVOID STOP-START DRIVING. Insofar as possible, plan your routes to avoid both heavy traffic and high densities of traffic lights. Additionally, if you combine errands, you will probably have fewer stops overall.
- USE ALL YOUR GEARS. Even if you drive an automatic, you will still be able to improve your mileage by changing between gear settings as appropriate to your rpm. On the highway, don't be afraid to shift into overdrive. If this is not already second nature to you, take the time to listen to your truck's engine as you drive. Whenever you hear it starting to labour, it is time to change gears.
Higher octane gas often not always improves mileage. Gas additives will often do the same. Check your manufacturer's recommendations, but also be aware of your truck's specific needs. If you hear your engine 'coughing', change your fuel mix or add a gas cleaner and see if that helps. If that still doesn't help, check your oil and take your vehicle in for an engine tune-up. Many such problems can be solved this way, although some might require a thorough engine check.
(While technically not a mileage improver, it does help to shop around when purchasing gas. Not only will different stations have different prices, but many places also offer variants of 1-2% equivalent to cash-back, which you might be able to combine with a credit card which does the same: both at no additional cost to you. How do you feel about a regular 4% discount on the price of gas? Never, however, let your tank run dry in the pursuit of cheaper gas. The resulting damage to the engine just is not worth it.)
Check your tire pressure regularly. Under-inflated tires are one of the most common ways of losing fuel efficiency and this loss can become very high indeed. As an added bonus, properly inflated tires maintain their tread longer and more evenly, and give better road traction.
Reduce the load. The heavier the truck, the more fuel it will use. Most of what we habitually carry around with us in our vehicles is simply habit, not something we are likely to need or otherwise emergency-useful. The only exception is if you are driving in the winter or during otherwise slick road conditions, where the additional weight lends traction.
The air conditioning versus open windows debate is still, well, open. Different testing conditions continue to produce different results. Both options significantly reduce your fuel mileage, so use one or the other only when it is absolutely necessary.
If you are still shopping around for a truck, you may want to compare the tested mileage of the available models, keeping in mind also that the same make of truck can fluctuate wildly in its mileage between different model years. Usually mileage is given as either two or three numbers: mileage attained during city driving, country driving, and sometimes a weighted average of the two. Not all trucks perform equally under all conditions. Off-road mileage will almost never be given. You should take into account which type of driving suits your needs best. You may also want to invest in a truck bed cover, which will sharply reduce drag and thus improve mileage.
Above all, keep your truck in its optimal condition. This means following your owner's manual recommendations for such things as engine and wheel alignment checks, checking fluid levels at every fill-up, changing your air filter and oil regularly. While regular maintenance will improve mileage by a few percentage points, some simple repairs, the need for which has been uncovered by such maintenance, can even double your fuel efficiency. Using the correct make or model of part or motor oil for your truck and driving conditions will also improve your fuel efficiency. Many modern motor oils include additives designed to reduce friction: look for the 'Energy Conserving' label.
