Smart Driving Tips to Improve Truck Mileage and Reduce Fuel Costs

Table of Contents

• Truck Mileage Meaning & Importance
• Tips to Improve Your Truck Mileage in India
  • Keep a Close Check on Tyre Pressure
  • Keep Idle Time to a Minimum
  • Always Keep Fuel Injectors Clean
  • Drive with Steady Acceleration
  • Switch to Cruise Control on Highways
  • Use Smart Driving & Telematics
  • Do Not Overload the Truck
  • Keep Aerodynamics in Good Shape
  • Plan Direct Routes with Fewer Delays
  • Avoid Excessive AC Usage

Truck Mileage Meaning & Importance

Simply, truck mileage is the distance travelled by your truck on a specific amount of fuel. It is expressed in ‘kmpl’ in India, signifying how many kilometres your vehicle can run per litre of diesel. The higher the truck mileage, the greater the distance covered with less money spent at the fuel pump. Fuel is among the biggest expenses in the transport industry, which automatically makes truck mileage an important factor for fleet owners.

More mileage indicates higher fuel efficiency and lower fuel costs. Also, efficient trucks generally have healthy engines and require less maintenance. With rising fuel costs and strict BS Phase 2 emission norms, improving your truck mileage is key to lowering your operating costs and reducing downtime.

Tips to Improve Your Truck Mileage in India

It is safe to say that fuel is one recurring cost that gives headaches to truck owners and fleet operators. But here’s some good news: you can follow some tactics to improve your truck mileage and save more money in your wallet.

Keep a Close Check on Tyre Pressure

Both under-inflated and over-inflated tyres hurt your truck mileage. While under-inflated tyres result in more friction, over-inflated ones cause low traction. So, you must check tyre pressure regularly and maintain it at the level recommended by the manufacturer. Best practice is to refer to your owner’s manual. Also, monitor your tyre condition and replace them immediately if worn out.  

Keep Idle Time to a Minimum

Idling means your truck is burning fuel without moving, which essentially indicates fuel wastage. This wasted fuel can add up to cause a significant dent in your pocket over time. Less idling ensures more fuel is utilized for actually running your truck. If you are at a signal or halt for even a few minutes, switch off the engine. Nowadays, many trucks feature an automatic engine shut-off feature to reduce idle time if the truck is parked or during breaks.

Always Keep Fuel Injectors Clean

Fuel injectors are used for delivering precise amounts of fuel to the engine for combustion. Over time, they may clog due to multiple reasons, like impurities and carbon deposits from fuel. Dirty or clogged injectors result in uneven fuel spray and poor combustion, which lowers the fuel efficiency of the engine. Ensure fuel injectors are clean and free of dirt and carbon on a regular basis to ensure the right amount of atomized fuel is delivered at the right time for efficient combustion and better mileage.

Drive with Steady Acceleration

Rapid acceleration, along with sudden braking, is harmful to your truck mileage. Due to frequent speed changes, you are putting more stress on the engine to keep up the truck’s momentum. More fuel gets wasted while the fuel efficiency drops. Maintaining a steady speed permits the engine to run efficiently, reducing fuel wastage. Do not drive aggressively with sudden accelerations or hard braking. Remember, over-speeding is not only illegal but also costs you extra fuel.

Switch to Cruise Control on Highways

As mentioned above, steady speed translates into less fuel waste. Cruise control maintains a consistent pace and keeps the engine within the optimal RPM range. You can maintain good mileage by using cruise control on highways. Generally, 80 kmph is the recommended speed for trucks on highways for safety and maximizing efficiency. However, it is best to follow the specific speed limits and improve mileage during long drives.

Use Smart Driving & Telematics

Your driving habits go a long way in determining how much fuel your truck consumes. When behind the wheel, adopt smart driving habits like maintaining optimal speeds and reducing idling to save fuel. Telematics employs on-board diagnostics (OBD), GPS and sensors to provide critical insights about the truck performance, including engine health, fuel use and location. You can use this data to track fuel consumption and its pattern. Correct behaviours and conditions that are causing fuel wastage. Data-driven insights are valuable for predictive maintenance and better mileage.

Do Not Overload the Truck

Many a time, we find it more convenient to transport as much load as possible to avoid multiple trips or save fuel. However, overloading your vehicle is straining your engine as it must work more to handle the extra weight. Also, rolling resistance increases, which directly lowers mileage. This is why manufacturers endorse rated payload capacity, as overloading is also dangerous from a safety point of view. Operate within recommended payloads to save fuel and avoid fines and penalties.

Keep Aerodynamics in Good Shape

Air resistance is among the leading causes of fuel consumption. The faster you go, the more power is needed to overcome drag. Aerodynamics is not only about your truck’s design. It reduces air drag significantly to cut down fuel consumption. Poor aerodynamics lowers mileage by forcing the vehicle to burn more fuel. Do not overload cargo or make structural changes that may interfere with the aerodynamics of the truck. Ensure all the surfaces are smooth and clean, and all fairings and side skirts are fitted properly. 

Plan Direct Routes with Fewer Delays

Unnecessary long routes will only increase fuel costs. Plan trips in advance to avoid congestion and last-minute detours. Avoiding traffic ensures smoother driving and prevents fuel wastage. You can take the help of GPS apps like Google Maps and telematics systems to determine the shortest paths. Shorter, traffic-free routes not only help in reaching the destination on time but also cut fuel consumption.

Avoid Excessive AC Usage

Excessive air conditioning puts a load on the engine for power, which increases fuel consumption. Over long distances, continuous use of AC can result in a significant mileage drop. If cooling is not needed, make sure the air conditioning is switched off. Do not park the truck under the sun for long periods, and instead look for shade. Natural ventilation can also help maintain a suitable cabin temperature and ensure comfortable trips.

Truck mileage ensures the profitability of your transportation business. Rising fuel costs mean every kilometre will cost you more. So, it is important to adopt smart driving habits and strategies to ensure lower fuel expenses. Understand that improving your truck mileage is not a one-time activity; it requires discipline and continuous efforts to maintain fuel efficiency.