The rising fuel prices has turned out to be a major concern for many truck owners. As a result, fleet owners are increasingly looking for ways to cut expenses.
The good news is, there are certain modifications that can be implemented in order to maximize the fuel efficiency of your truck.
Let’s take a look at some of these here.
Use the Right Tires
Tires can affect gas mileage of a truck significantly. Many truck drivers tend to use oversized tires for better performance. But such tires can make the truck quite sluggish. Therefore, you would need to keep the tires of your truck appropriately inflated in order to reduce the amount of drag the engine of the truck needs to overcome.
Regular monitoring of tire pressure is crucial. This is because it helps in identifying air leaks quickly. Such tires can then be replaced to improve the performance of the truck and maximize the fuel efficiency.
You can consider buying tires with a Low Rolling Resistance. Such tires help in improving the fuel efficiency of a truck by reducing the effort put in to keep the tires rolling on the road. Additionally, you should also consider using snow tires while driving in the snow to optimize the performance of the truck.
Use Good Quality Filters
Filters play a major role in ensuring that engine and motors of your truck run smoothly. For the truck to be efficient, the motor needs to breathe. You can consider installing a good quality performance air intake system. These kits are reusable, long-lasting and improve the air flow considerably.
Inspect the Exhaust System
Sometimes wear and tear or any damage of the exhaust can be the reason behind the usage of additional fuel to run a truck. For example, rust, weak pipes etc. can be the reasons behind a poorly working exhaust system. A regular visual inspection can help in identifying these factors easily.
In addition to that, you should also upgrade the exhaust system of your truck for improved performance. Installing an exhaust system with a large diameter is wise since it ensures that fuel is not being wasted to expel the exhaust gases out.
Replace the Spark Plugs
The primary function of the spark plug is to ignite the air and fuel mixture in the combustion engine of the truck. A visual inspection of the spark plugs can reveal a lot about the fuel efficiency of the truck. For example, if the spark plugs are discolored, it could mean that the truck utilizes too much fuel. You might need to replace the spark plugs in that case.
If the spark plugs of your truck are made of platinum or iridium, you should change them after every 60,000 miles. However, if you are using copper spark plugs for your truck, you should get them replaced for every 7000-mile journey of the truck.
Remove Accessories You Do Not Need
Adding unnecessary accessories to the truck will only hamper the fuel economy by increasing the weight of the truck. Therefore, it is wise to identify the accessories you do not need and remove them. For example, the headache racks may only serve the purpose of enhancing the look of the truck. In that case, you should remove them.
Keep in mind that for every 100 pounds you add to the weight of the vehicle, you reduce the fuel efficiency by a maximum of 2 percent.
Practice Proper Driving Habits
Driving at high speed is not only dangerous but can also reduce the fuel efficiency of your truck. Additionally, making more gradual stops and starts instead of screeching to a halt or driving off at a high speed as soon as the signal turns green can be helpful for your truck’s fuel economy.
It is wise to keep track of the fuel economy of your truck. This can be easily done by noting the reading on the odometer. You can also monitor the fuel economy by noting the amount of fuel purchased and the frequency of such purchase. These steps will ensure that the fuel efficiency of your truck is improved.
Contributed by: www.texas-truckaccidentlawyer.com
