by Edmund K

Created on: May 07, 2008   Last Updated: November 07, 2008

With the steadily rising price of fuel over the last five years, the new buzz-words in the automobile industry are mileage and fuel efficiency. This is particularly important for trucks, which have traditionally been noted for their excessive fuel consumption and poor fuel efficiency.

For truck owners or truck drivers the increase in the price of gas has greatly increased weekly and annual refueling costs.

Short of changing vehicle or buying a newer, more fuel efficient truck, several changes can be used to cut down on weekly refueling costs and to increase your truck's gas mileage.

It is of paramount importance to make sure your truck is well maintained. Take it for regular servicing. Between servicing, make sure the engine oil is high grade and changed regularly, make certain the tires are of optimal pressure and ensure that the radiator coolant is changed every two years. The gears, differentials, and power steering systems should be cleaned and re-lubricated every few months to keep them functioning with minimal friction. This is because lubricant oils pick up impurities from daily use (grit and metal shavings), which wear away the gears, increasing inefficiency.

Aim to accelerate and decelerate smoothly. Rapid acceleration, while exhilarating, burns fuel far faster than a slow but controlled acceleration. Once you have reached speed, aim to maintain that speed for as long as possible. Braking and accelerating again burn more fuel than if your speed was maintained at a steady pace.

Take the opportunity to turn off your engine, should the need arise. If you find yourself stuck in peak hour traffic, or if you are making a short stop to pick up a friend, always aim to turn off your engine rather than leave it running for more than 1-2 minutes. This will conserve valuable fuel. Also important is to avoid using excessive air conditioning. Open a window rather than turning up the air conditioning.

Avoid towing another vehicle unless it is absolutely necessary. Remove all unnecessary loads, and keep your loads as aerodynamic as possible to minimize air resistance. In many cases, over long trips the load carried and its air resistance will burn a significantly increased amount of fuel compared to a lighter truck.

Finally, look for opportunities to take another mode of transportation. Walk, jog or ride a bike, especially if the distance is short or the traffic is heavy. You might get to your destination faster, improving your health and conserving fuel and money at the same time.

In conclusion, aim to keep your truck in good condition, don't drive it unnecessarily fast or with rapid acceleration, maintain speed, and make sure that your truck is as aerodynamic as possible. Performing these simple measures will have a significant impact on your gas mileage, the longevity of your truck, and your bank balance.

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