How to get around the high fuel prices while working with trucks

With fuel prices on the rise, saving on truck diesel is one of the main objectives of professionals today.

According to a survey by the ANP (National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency), the average price of regular gasoline rose 44.3%, and diesel 44.6% in the country’s gas stations in 2021.

Fuel consumption represents a good amount of the transportation budget.

So saving diesel fuel is a matter of survival for professionals in the industry. But do you know what you need to do to achieve this without having to pass the adjustment on to your customers?

In this article you will find tips for saving on your truck’s fuel costs and reducing costs through small changes in driver behavior. Check it out!

1. Plan your route

Scheduling smarter routines for product shipments is essential to cut costs.

So when going out on a trip, choose the best route and plan the entire journey well. Also, make a detailed route plan, planning ahead for the fastest and safest route.

A good freight traffic management system can help you find more practical, cost-effective routes and avoid losses.
Therefore, to avoid queues at ports and reduce waiting time, try to schedule loading and unloading. Seeking alternatives to roads at peak hours also saves time.

2. Drive at a constant speed

Both acceleration and braking lead to stress and wear on engine components and increase fuel consumption.

Therefore, the best strategy to save fuel is to keep the same rpm, with the same gear engaged, for a longer time.

To understand this principle, it is enough to remember that when the truck finishes a descent, it can maintain its speed for a long stretch without having to step on the accelerator or increase the engine speed.

3. Research before refueling

The choice of gas stations to fuel your truck is an important strategy to reduce costs. After all, the value of fuel changes a lot around the country, which generates a huge difference in prices among the various networks in the market.

So, try to define the exact locations where stops will be made, whether for refueling, meals, or sleeping. To save even more, the ideal is to research and define partnerships, since some establishments offer discounts for loyal customers.

4. Avoid adulterated fuel

Poor quality fuel causes your truck to perform poorly and speeds up the natural deterioration process of the vehicle. Therefore, try to know the origin of the fuel from where you are filling up.

To ensure quality, the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP) has increasingly increased the regulation and inspection of fuel quality.

However, the amount of adulterated diesel in Brazilian gas stations is still large. So, stay tuned!

5. Shift gears correctly

When the truck driver accelerates too much and exceeds the indicated limit for shifting gears, the engine suffers more wear and consumes more fuel. Therefore, try to calculate the right time to change gears.

Another important procedure to avoid is idling. Contrary to what many people think, when it is in neutral, the engine understands that the vehicle is idling and consumes more diesel.

6. Pay attention to the speed of the truck

Studies show that consumption increases according to speed until it reaches 87 km/hr. After that, consumption increases at twice the speed. In addition, it has been verified that between 87 and 97 km/h the engine makes 10 times more effort.

Therefore, driving below this speed makes fuel consumption much lower.

7. Avoid overloading

Besides generating fines, when a vehicle travels with a weight above the recommended one, the expense with diesel increases considerably.

Therefore, avoid overfilling the trunk or the bucket of the vehicle. Besides using more fuel, this overloads the suspension system and the tires, accelerating wear and tear and causing breakdowns.

In addition, overloading also overloads the engine, which increases the expense of diesel.

8. Make revisions constantly

Preventive maintenance of the truck is fundamental to guarantee its performance and reduce costs.

After all, overhauls help prevent breakdowns and ensure that the vehicle is in good condition. Some parts, such as air filter and fuel filter, contribute directly to the increase of diesel fuel. Therefore, pay attention to the replacement of filters, the change of fluids, and the maintenance of the cooling system. These procedures keep fuel consumption close to that stipulated by the manufacturer.

Also, calibrate your tires before you hit the road to ensure safety and help reduce fuel consumption

9. Invest in training

Periodic training is an important item for any carrier. After all, it improves truck driving and combats old driving habits that increase vehicle consumption.

Well-trained professionals can help save up to 10% in fuel. In addition, training contributes to increased vehicle safety and conservation.

Get to know Robustec road implements and solutions

Robustec has solutions for transportation that offer safety and optimize performance in the most varied applications. Therefore, they are excellent measures to help reduce fuel consumption.

With its own engineering sector, the company develops customized solutions for its customers in the road and agricultural sectors, such as dump buckets, roll on – roll off equipment, roll on – roll off boxes, roll on – roll off planks, belts, ratchets, and accessories for cargo tying, support feet, and cargo lifting equipment.

Did you like our tips for lower fuel consumption? Want to learn more about how to save fuel and optimize transportation performance? Check it out here!