Fuel is an essential component of vehicle operation. Because vehicles can’t move without fuel, it’s no wonder that fuel is one of the most expensive annual costs for vehicle owners. With recent fuel price increases, everyone wants their fuel tank to last longer. As per various statistics, the price of fuel is showing to rise nearly 50%.
Whether you own a single car or multiple vehicles, saving money on fuel each year may have a huge positive influence on your budget. This is especially true for fleet owners. There are various things you can do to reduce your fuel expenditures and save money.
Read on to learn about various ways to save money on fuel expenses.
- Use discount vouchers
If you conduct your weekly shopping at a larger shopping center, you may use your docket or rewards card to save a few cents per liter when you fill up at the appropriate gas station. You may also join larger retail malls that also include gas stations. Members receive exclusive perks and lower costs.
- Avoid long idling
A vehicle’s poorest mileage is 0 mpg, which occurs while it idles. Long periods of idling, whether at a railroad crossing or pulling off the road to make a mobile phone call, waste gas that could be saved by simply turning off the engine. Starting an engine consumes roughly the same amount of gas as idling for 30 seconds. Turn off the engine while idle for extended periods to save petrol.
Turning off the engine, on the other hand, may impair car functionality, including safety measures such as airbags. Drivers should use this method only in situations when there is no danger of a collision.
- Don’t drive aggressively
Aggressive driving habits will cost you a lot of money in petrol. This is because an engine performs best when it is in its powerband. Powerbands are available at various rpm ranges for different cars, but as a general guideline, you should not drive at extremely high or extremely low revs.
Cruise control is useful on highway travels since it allows you to maintain a constant speed in the ideal rev range for greater gas mileage and engine efficiency. It should be noted, however, that cruise control should not be used in regions with uneven terrain or significant pedestrian activity.
Even a gas-guzzling vehicle may be surprisingly fuel-efficient if driven carefully. It is not what you drive, but how you drive that is important. To run your car in the most fuel-efficient manner, you must understand strategies such as engine braking.
- Use GPS Fleet Trackers
If you are a fleet owner then partnering up with a telematics provider can be a good solution. GPS fleet tracking solutions allow you to monitor the operation of your cars and ensure driver safety. It can track driver routes and behaviors, as well as fuel use and other variables.
This technology also assists you in complying with state and federal rules, including electronic logging device requirements, the International Fuel Tax Agreement, and driver vehicle inspection reports. Collaboration with a telematics supplier will guarantee that your cars are outfitted with the appropriate technologies for your needs.
- Keep the tires inflated properly
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research, correctly inflated tires may improve fuel efficiency by an average of 0.6%, up to 3%. Every 1 psi below the required tire pressure reduces fuel efficiency by 0.2%.
Since outdoor conditions impact commercial vehicle tire pressure, drivers must check their tire pressure frequently as the weather and temperature change. Tire pressure may vary significantly in both cold and extremely hot temperatures. Drivers and maintenance personnel should check tire pressure before driving and as part of routine maintenance.
- Anticipate traffic flow
Anticipate traffic conditions and smoothly accelerate and decelerate which is not only safer, but also saves gas, and lowers brake wear. Look two or more vehicles ahead while keeping an eye on the motorist in front of you in stop-and-go commuter traffic. This allows you to gently accelerate and decelerate.
You may minimize or limit brake use and conserve petroleum by anticipating a traffic signal change, an oncoming stop sign, or the need to slow down for a curve. Like the “jackrabbit start,” the “jackrabbit stop” contributes significantly to wasteful driving.
- Monitor preventive maintenance schedules
Proper maintenance improves a vehicle’s fuel efficiency, which applies to everyone from professional semi-truck drivers to 9-to-5 commuters. Unaligned wheels, for example, cause the engine to burn more gasoline, so keep an eye on the axle alignment.
Maintain a clean air filter. A clogged filter blocks an engine’s air supply, resulting in a greater fuel-to-air ratio and increased gasoline consumption.
Use excellent quality, energy-saving (EC) oils with viscosity grades compatible with the instructions for oil changes. Look for bottles labeled ECII, the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) emblem for fuel-efficient oils.
- Never fill the tank to the brim
Even the most basic gas stations feature pumps that detect an overflowing tank. When the fuel pump detects that your tank is full, it pulls a little amount of fuel from it to keep it from overflowing. Even though the amount of fuel taken out is tiny, it may pile up over time. This is particularly true if your vehicle demands premium fuel.
- Get fuel cards
If you run a fleet business using fuel cards can be ideal. When it comes to purchasing fuel, the fuel card your company employs for its fleet might make all the difference. To save the most money, it’s critical to browse around for the greatest bargains as they come up. Furthermore, when the size and makeup of their fleet change, fleet managers should re-evaluate the gasoline card they are using. What was once the best strategy is unlikely to be so in the future.
Managing the use of gasoline cards by drivers is equally important. gasoline theft is a typical issue for many fleet managers; because most gasoline cards are assigned to cars rather than drivers, it is all too easy to use them to fill up.
- Check the oxygen sensors
Oxygen sensors typically monitor combustion efficiency by measuring the quantity of oxygen left in the exhaust. However, they are prone to degrade with time, which might increase gas mileage. According to the US Department of Energy, fixing a defective oxygen sensor can increase mileage by up to 40%.
Since the early 1980s, every car made has had at least one oxygen sensor. These sensors continuously monitor the oxygen content in the exhaust gases of the vehicle. The sensor’s output is delivered to the engine computer, which determines how much fuel to add to each combustion cycle. Unfortunately, these sensors must be changed over time and might fail.
Conclusion
While fuel is a person’s or a fleet’s largest operational expenditure, they should search for ways to save expenses wherever possible. With the above-mentioned tips save money on fuel expenses for your vehicles.