FRANK'S TAX & BUSINESS SERVICES
Put Your Fuel Bills on a Diet"
If you want to lose a few pounds, you'd check the menu for all those things that would help you reach your goal instead of automatically ordering the usual double cheeseburger and milk shake. Some of the diet choices may not be popular, but that's the way it works if you're going to reach your goal. It's kind of like that with fuel economy, not all of the choices are popular, but putting your fuel bills on a diet means trying everything that will help you reach your goal. Doing the same thing over and over but
some how expecting better results doesn't work. Even trying half of the choices will be disappointing if your goal is to get your lowest fuel cost. The trick is to make lots of little gains by trying everything on the Fuel Economy Menu.
First, the Rules of Fuel Economy
Getting your best fuel economy means overcoming four things:
1. Air resistance – aerodynamics is the most important fact over
50 mph according to Cummins Engine Company.
2. Rolling resistance – tires make the biggest difference in mpg
below 50 mph according to Bridgestone Tire Company.
3. Gravity – gouging on the throttle and then gouging on the brakes
is expensive.
4. Habits – according to the American Trucking Association
Maintenance Council, the most efficient drivers get about 30%
better fuel economy than the least efficient drivers
Overdrive Magazine says, "Better fuel economy goes hand in hand with lower power draw and less drive train component and tire wear."
The Fuel Economy Menu
1. Air Resistance
• Snug the van or reefer trailer close to the tractor cab to
reduce drag.
• "Build" the flatbed load to be the most aerodynamic shape you
can get.
• Avoid after-market add-ons that reduce aerodynamics such as
horns and bug screens.
2. Rolling Resistance
• Under-inflated tires work your engine harder while robbing
fuel and driving tire cost up.
• Ribbed tires get better fuel economy than lug tires.
• Older tires get better fuel economy than new tires.
o The break-in period for tires is around 35,000 to 50,000 miles.
• Alignment – when fuel cost is highest may be the best time for a
three-axle alignment.
• Synthetic lubricants for axles and transmissions are more
"slippery" than mineral lubricants and cost less over the long
run because of extended life and extended drain intervals.
3. Gravity
• Anticipate changes in traffic to keep momentum up and avoid
abrupt starts and stops. "Blow no smoke" when accelerating and
use the throttle to slow down instead of braking
4. Habits
• Idle time costs about a gallon of fuel per hour. Some drivers
have gone from over 50% idle time to less than 10%. It's all
about MPG but there's zero MPG for you when idling and there is
zero fuel surcharge for you when idling. An auxiliary heater
and/or air conditioner to reduce idling make increasing sense
when fuel is high.
Speed — above 55 MPH, each 1 MPH increase in vehicle speed
decreases fuel economy by 0.1 mpg. That means a 10 MPH increase
to 65 MPH costs one MPG.
• Maintenance — the best maintained trucks get the best fuel
economy.
o Check oil — it takes 15 minutes for oil to drain down into the
crankcase. Wait to check your oil so that you don't exceed
recommended fill levels which uses more fuel.
o Air filters — clean air filters use less fuel.
o Fixing air leaks means your air compressor runs less using less
energy.
• Out of route miles — running 6% out of route not only
unnecessarily increases fuel cost but also increases
maintenance costs and tire costs by 6% too.
• Pre-trip and Post-trip inspections will catch fuel robbing
problems earlier rather than later. A post-trip inspection might
allow repairs during a normal down-time period.
• Shifting
o Skip Shifting (when lightly loaded) — every time you "bang" a
gear costs fuel.
o Progressive Shifting — drive by RPM and not by engine sound or
boost gauge.
o Ask the manufacturer for the RPM "sweet spot" for your
particular truck
o Maximize time in top gear — minimize time spent in lower gears.
^ Stay in cruise control as much as possible.
• Traffic — avoid rush hour when practical. It's all about MPG but
your MPG is zero when you're engine is running and you're
stopped in traffic not moving.
• It may not be necessary to manually turn the fan switch on with
a modern engine.
• Fuel network and fuel optimizer — if a leased operator, use your
carrier's fuel network and fuel optimizer as much as possible.
• Fuel surcharge — understand this and how it works. You'll know
you understand this when you can calculate your net cost of fuel
after applying the FSC to your fuel costs.
• Fuel Taxes — if responsible for paying fuel taxes, don't be
fooled by the price at the pump — make fuel buying decisions on
the net cost of fuel after the fuel tax is removed.
Will the Fuel Economy Menu Put Your Fuel Bills on a Diet?
Look at an Annual $50,000 fuel expense!
% Savings
Aerodynamics 2 $ 1,000
Alignment 1 500
Acceleration & Braking3 $ 1,500
Idling 5 $ 2,500
Out of route miles 3 $ 1,500
Shifting 2 $ 1,000
Speed 6 $ 3,000
Technology 2 $ 1,000
Tires 3 $ 1,500
27% $13,500
Why look for satisfaction in your fuel bill diet by trying only a couple of things from the Fuel Economy Menu? Your lowest fuel cost comes from trying everything possible. Tiny gains in every area results in a huge reduction for your fuel diet!
With a Twenty-seven percent improvement is like getting every fourth tank free!
Frank’s Tax & Business Service, 226 S. Cherokee St. Suite D, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 739-4039, Fax: (704) 739-3934, E-mail, [email protected]
© Copyright 2003, Overdrive Magazine
Put Your Fuel Bills on a Diet"
If you want to lose a few pounds, you'd check the menu for all those things that would help you reach your goal instead of automatically ordering the usual double cheeseburger and milk shake. Some of the diet choices may not be popular, but that's the way it works if you're going to reach your goal. It's kind of like that with fuel economy, not all of the choices are popular, but putting your fuel bills on a diet means trying everything that will help you reach your goal. Doing the same thing over and over but
some how expecting better results doesn't work. Even trying half of the choices will be disappointing if your goal is to get your lowest fuel cost. The trick is to make lots of little gains by trying everything on the Fuel Economy Menu.
First, the Rules of Fuel Economy
Getting your best fuel economy means overcoming four things:
1. Air resistance – aerodynamics is the most important fact over
50 mph according to Cummins Engine Company.
2. Rolling resistance – tires make the biggest difference in mpg
below 50 mph according to Bridgestone Tire Company.
3. Gravity – gouging on the throttle and then gouging on the brakes
is expensive.
4. Habits – according to the American Trucking Association
Maintenance Council, the most efficient drivers get about 30%
better fuel economy than the least efficient drivers
Overdrive Magazine says, "Better fuel economy goes hand in hand with lower power draw and less drive train component and tire wear."
The Fuel Economy Menu
1. Air Resistance
• Snug the van or reefer trailer close to the tractor cab to
reduce drag.
• "Build" the flatbed load to be the most aerodynamic shape you
can get.
• Avoid after-market add-ons that reduce aerodynamics such as
horns and bug screens.
2. Rolling Resistance
• Under-inflated tires work your engine harder while robbing
fuel and driving tire cost up.
• Ribbed tires get better fuel economy than lug tires.
• Older tires get better fuel economy than new tires.
o The break-in period for tires is around 35,000 to 50,000 miles.
• Alignment – when fuel cost is highest may be the best time for a
three-axle alignment.
• Synthetic lubricants for axles and transmissions are more
"slippery" than mineral lubricants and cost less over the long
run because of extended life and extended drain intervals.
3. Gravity
• Anticipate changes in traffic to keep momentum up and avoid
abrupt starts and stops. "Blow no smoke" when accelerating and
use the throttle to slow down instead of braking
4. Habits
• Idle time costs about a gallon of fuel per hour. Some drivers
have gone from over 50% idle time to less than 10%. It's all
about MPG but there's zero MPG for you when idling and there is
zero fuel surcharge for you when idling. An auxiliary heater
and/or air conditioner to reduce idling make increasing sense
when fuel is high.
Speed — above 55 MPH, each 1 MPH increase in vehicle speed
decreases fuel economy by 0.1 mpg. That means a 10 MPH increase
to 65 MPH costs one MPG.
• Maintenance — the best maintained trucks get the best fuel
economy.
o Check oil — it takes 15 minutes for oil to drain down into the
crankcase. Wait to check your oil so that you don't exceed
recommended fill levels which uses more fuel.
o Air filters — clean air filters use less fuel.
o Fixing air leaks means your air compressor runs less using less
energy.
• Out of route miles — running 6% out of route not only
unnecessarily increases fuel cost but also increases
maintenance costs and tire costs by 6% too.
• Pre-trip and Post-trip inspections will catch fuel robbing
problems earlier rather than later. A post-trip inspection might
allow repairs during a normal down-time period.
• Shifting
o Skip Shifting (when lightly loaded) — every time you "bang" a
gear costs fuel.
o Progressive Shifting — drive by RPM and not by engine sound or
boost gauge.
o Ask the manufacturer for the RPM "sweet spot" for your
particular truck
o Maximize time in top gear — minimize time spent in lower gears.
^ Stay in cruise control as much as possible.
• Traffic — avoid rush hour when practical. It's all about MPG but
your MPG is zero when you're engine is running and you're
stopped in traffic not moving.
• It may not be necessary to manually turn the fan switch on with
a modern engine.
• Fuel network and fuel optimizer — if a leased operator, use your
carrier's fuel network and fuel optimizer as much as possible.
• Fuel surcharge — understand this and how it works. You'll know
you understand this when you can calculate your net cost of fuel
after applying the FSC to your fuel costs.
• Fuel Taxes — if responsible for paying fuel taxes, don't be
fooled by the price at the pump — make fuel buying decisions on
the net cost of fuel after the fuel tax is removed.
Will the Fuel Economy Menu Put Your Fuel Bills on a Diet?
Look at an Annual $50,000 fuel expense!
% Savings
Aerodynamics 2 $ 1,000
Alignment 1 500
Acceleration & Braking3 $ 1,500
Idling 5 $ 2,500
Out of route miles 3 $ 1,500
Shifting 2 $ 1,000
Speed 6 $ 3,000
Technology 2 $ 1,000
Tires 3 $ 1,500
27% $13,500
Why look for satisfaction in your fuel bill diet by trying only a couple of things from the Fuel Economy Menu? Your lowest fuel cost comes from trying everything possible. Tiny gains in every area results in a huge reduction for your fuel diet!
With a Twenty-seven percent improvement is like getting every fourth tank free!
Frank’s Tax & Business Service, 226 S. Cherokee St. Suite D, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 739-4039, Fax: (704) 739-3934, E-mail, [email protected]
© Copyright 2003, Overdrive Magazine