Here are five tips for increasing your mpg that you might not have considered.
1. Keep up the pressure. Underinflated tires not only contribute to blowouts but decrease fuel efficiency. A truck tire can run five degrees hotter for every psi it is underinflated and every 10 psi that a tire is underinflated reduces fuel economy by 1 percent.
2. Get in shape. According to Kenworth, approximately half the energy of a truck traveling 55 mph is used to simply move the air around that truck and at 65 mph that increases to two-thirds. For highway driving, every 2 percent reduction in aerodynamic drag gains a 1 percent improvement in fuel economy. Weigh the cost of adding aerodynamic treatments on top of the roof or under the trailer against the fuel savings you will gain.
3. Play it straight. Tires that are misaligned pull sideways, resulting in lower fuel economy. A tire that is misaligned only one-quarter degree from straight will try and travel 10-15 feet sideways for each mile. Keep all axles – drive and steer – aligned.
4. Take it easy. In general, shifting at the low end of the rpm range decreases fuel consumption, particularly in lower gears. Each engine is different, so be sure to read your owner and driver manuals to achieve the best performance.
5. Thick and thin. Oil thickens at low temperatures, causing increased fuel consumption. Run synthetic oil, which is less affected by temperature, particularly as cool weather approaches.