Turbo Diesel News

How To Get The Best Fuel Economy.

The price of a barrel of crude oil recently reached an all-time high. Fuel costs are rising. Isn't it time to think about improving your mpg?

For most of us, the answer is yes. There are a number of factors that can have a major impact on fuel economy. Some of these you can readily control – others are harder to control, like wind and weather. Let’s take a look at some of the things to keep in mind if you want to maximize your mpg.

Speed Kills.
The first rule of better mpg is that speed kills. How fast you drive your truck has a tremendous effect on fuel economy. As road speed increases so does air resistance, rolling resistance and the power required to move the truck down the road. Your fuel economy decreases rapidly at speeds above 55 mph. Each 1 mph you drive over 55 mph can decrease your fuel economy by 0.1 mpg. Or, to look at it another way, you increase the amount you’re paying for fuel by 10% for each 1 mph in road speed. That may not make much difference when you’re in a hurry – but if you’re not, well, you might think about easing up a bit.

Where The Rubber Meets The Road.
If you want to maximize fuel economy – take a look at your tires. Regularly. Your tires can also have a big impact on your mpg. Your truck's tires are a major contributor to the power required to overcome friction on the road or what’s called “rolling resistance.” Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 40% of the gross vehicle power required to move your truck down the road.

Tire inflation pressures can affect tire performance and fuel economy. Under inflation reduces fuel economy and increases tire wear. Each 10 psi of under inflation represents approximately a 1% penalty in tank mileage.

Also the type of tire you use has a big impact on fuel economy. The design and construction of the vehicle's tires can greatly affect the vehicle's rolling resistance. A tire featuring a radial ply rib design with advanced rubber compounds can dramatically decrease rolling resistance compared to a standard rib bias ply design and can increase fuel economy up to 10%.

But, that’s not all when it comes to tires. New tires can decrease fuel economy by 3%. Your truck's best fuel economy is achieved after the tires wear in. There is a 10% reduction in rolling resistance for every 7/32" of tread wear. Of course, that doesn’t mean you want to be running on worn-out tires! But, it’s something to keep in mind as you think about fuel economy.

The Road Less (Or More) Traveled.
Although it’s not something we ever think about, the road you’re driving on also affects your fuel economy. The type of road and its roughness can increase rolling resistance up to 20%. This is due to the energy dissipation in the tires and suspension. The smoother the road surface, the less rolling resistance it produces. Choosing a route that offers smooth roads in good condition can help improve fuel economy. For example, a road made of new concrete can decrease rolling resistance by as much as 30% compared to chip and seal blacktop. Of course most of the time there’s only one route that is best – but if you have a choice, pick the smoother road.

Keeping Cool.
Running electric accessories such as your air-conditioner can reduce your fuel economy. In fact, EPA tests indicate that operating your air-conditioner on “Max” compared to not using your air-conditioner can reduce fuel economy by as much as 25%.

Time For Maintenance?
If your engine is out of tune, fuel economy is decreased. Also, dirty fuel and air filters can affect fuel economy. Too much engine oil isn’t good either. Exceeding recommended engine oil levels can result in significant oil churning/spin losses. This reduces the engine's efficiency, performance and fuel economy. Your truck's axle alignment can affect fuel economy. When the axles are misaligned, there is increased rolling resistance and tread wear. The symptoms of axle misalignment include: irregular wear, feather edge scuffing, and diagonal wear.

How Am I Driving?
One of the greatest fuel economy factors is you…the driver. Rapid starts, continually putting your foot on and off the throttle rather than maintaining a constant speed, and letting your truck idle for long periods of time can all add up to decreased fuel economy. In fact, studies show that your driving techniques can affect fuel economy by up to 30%.

So when it comes to fuel economy, your engine is important – but there are a whole host of other factors that also affect fuel economy. Paying close attention to your road speed, tires, driving techniques and vehicle maintenance can help you maximize your fuel efficiency.