October 3, 2022

Ways to Maximize Fuel Efficiency on Box Trucks

A box truck is one of the most preferred and versatile commercial vehicles. Small business people acquire box trucks to ferry goods, improve mobility, and enhance advertising efforts. More importantly, it acts as safe storage between deliveries. Remember, cost optimization is one of the key factors behind successful businesses. Therefore, drivers of box trucks should prioritize fuel efficiency to enhance profits and protect the environment. In line with cost optimization, Amazon Relay Truck Insurance protects truck drivers from paying financial claims for damaged items. Here’s how you can enhance fuel efficiency.

Minimize Truck Idling

Idling contributes significantly to the high cost of running your box truck. According to Argonne National Laboratory, an idling box truck consumes 0.8 gallons per hour while empty— with a loaded truck consuming 1.1 gallons. Besides fuel in-efficiency, prolonged idling causes mechanical degradation. As a result, you’ll pay more for repairs and compounded fuel in-efficiency.

Minimize Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance is responsible for a third of the truck’s fuel efficiency. To move forward, vehicles must overcome rolling resistance, gravity, inertia, aerodynamics, and mechanical friction. Therefore, the higher the rolling resistance, the higher the energy and fuel demand. Rolling resistance is affected by design, condition of tires, and wheel alignment. Here’s how you can improve fuel efficiency:

Use fuel-optimized tires
Avoid under-inflated tires
Avoid misaligned tires

A point to note: Misaligned tires cause instability and increased air resistance, reducing fuel efficiency.

Drive in High Gear

All vehicles apply low gears to give them maximum acceleration and take-off power. At low gear, the vehicle makes more rotations per minute to move forward. At high gear, the engine rotates at low RPM increasing efficiency and burning less fuel. Remember, fuel consumption increases as you drive longer at low gears. Moreover, slow driving at high gear also increases fuel consumption. Ultimately moderate speeds and gear contribute to fuel savings.

Apply Selective Cruise Control

Cruise control is the ability to maintain continuous speed as opposed to constant acceleration and deceleration. It’s an excellent driving habit that contributes significantly to fuel efficiency. Drivers may apply cruise control on a flat surface without traffic, uphill or downhill drives. It’s advisable to deactivate the cruise control function while driving in sloppy areas with sharp inclines or bends. Besides fuel efficiency, cruise control mitigates driver fatigue by eliminating unnecessary acceleration and deceleration.

Better Driving Habits

You can save fuel by observing good driving habits — for instance, smooth acceleration by changing gear gradually. You can achieve smooth driving by anticipating bumps, corners, or obstacles. On the contrary, aggressive driving involves sudden braking or acceleration, increasing fuel consumption. Lastly, endeavor to switch off the car during idling or when not in use.

Try Our Commercial Truck Insurance Services Today

A small business can enhance its long-term outlook by prioritizing fuel efficiency. What’s more, insurance offers additional shock absorbers to withstand external shocks. At Panorama Insurance Agency, we offer the most responsive insurance solutions for Amazon Relay drivers. Contact us online or call us at 818-7816630 for more information.

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