How to Drive to Save Gas: 6 Fuel-Efficient Driving Techniques

Gas prices are hitting record highs all over the country due to pent-up demand and supply shortages, which can have a dramatic effect on your budget. The average price for a gallon of gas increased to $4.59 at the end of late May, according to AAA, marking a 50% increase from just a month before. 

The price hike has been particularly brutal for diesel truck owners. It now costs anywhere from $800 to over $1,000 to refuel a heavy-duty diesel truck with a 200-gallon tank. These vehicles power much of the U.S. supply chain, and the fuel price hikes have increased prices across the economy. 

If you drive for a living, you’ll need to adjust your habits behind the wheel to consume as little fuel as possible. Use these tips to avoid burning more fuel than necessary when hauling your goods.

Focus on Vehicle Maintenance

Nothing will sap your fuel tank like a faulty engine. Diesel trucks are known for their reliability, but certain makes and models come with design flaws that reduce fuel efficiency if left unchecked. For example, the Ford 6.0 Powerstroke is known to have a problematic fuel injection control module, which controls the amount of fuel going into the combustion chamber. 

If you fall behind on regular maintenance or fail to address these issues, your truck will consume more fuel than what’s needed to power the engine. Replace your injection pressure regulator (IPR) valves as needed to improve engine performance. 

Diesel engines also use exhaust emissions reduction technology to reduce the spread of toxic particles that pollute the environment. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system reduces the temperature of the exhaust fuel. If the cooling system breaks down, the exhaust gas will get too hot, causing the engine to burn more fuel than necessary. Replace your EGR coolers and check the temperature of the exhaust gas regularly to avoid wasting fuel. 

Avoid Idling and Revving the Engine

The days of letting your truck warm up are over. Unless you’re driving in sub-zero temperatures, there’s no reason to let your engine idle for more than a few seconds. This only consumes fuel that could’ve gone to better use. The same goes for revving the engine. This may be customary in your workplace, but it’s more efficient to just step on the gas and get moving. 

Find Your Sweet Spot

Every diesel engine comes with a cruising sweet spot that can help you save on fuel when cruising on the highway. It’s all about finding the right combination of torque and acceleration. When the stars align, your truck will consume less fuel without losing power. Once you find the find the right spot, hold this position to lock in higher mpg. The sweet spot tends to be somewhere between 65 mph and 72 mph, but it depends on the make and model.

Ease Off the A/C

With temperatures rising, many drivers like to crank their air conditioning during the summer, but this will drain your fuel tank over time. Try to use your A/C as little as possible and avoid driving during the hottest times of the day if possible. Look for other ways to stay cool behind the wheel. Use a sunshade to keep the interior nice and cool during the day. You can also try freezing bottles of water and tucking them in your lap. This may not be ideal, but every penny counts when prices are this high.

Take the Highway

Diesel engines are more fuel efficient than gas-powered engines — at least when it comes to driving on the highway. Your mpg rating will plummet as soon as you reach the city. Take the highway whenever possible to improve fuel efficiency. If you are driving a diesel truck and need to make a delivery in an urban area, consider dropping off the item at a distribution center close to the highway and using a smaller, gas-powered engine or electric vehicle to complete the last stage of the delivery. 

Take Advantage of Shore Power

Lots of truck drivers have no choice but to run their engines to stay cool when they are parked for hours at a time. If you have access to power when you’re not on the road, avoid idling your engine and consider using the truck stop power source instead. This is what’s known as “shore power.” Drivers can connect their vehicles to the electric grid at public terminals to reduce fuel consumption. Experts say shore power can help drivers save as much as $3,240 annually. 

No one likes paying more for gas, but we all need to get where we’re going. Consider changing the way you drive and replacing your damaged diesel parts to limit your fuel consumption. These changes may not make much of a difference on their own, but they can add up to major savings.