13 Techniques To Keep Your Fuel Bill Low

 

Fuel is a fairly expensive commodity – in fact, the UK has the 7th highest fuel prices in the world! Hence, like many others, my fuel expenses had been steadily rising the past few years – to the extent that it became a major concern in managing my fleet.

Maintaining your commercial van can be a tough job. It gets even tougher if you’re managing an entire fleet – with each van, and driver, presenting a new challenge.

One of the main challenges associated with managing a fleet of commercial vans is the fuel expense.

In this article, I’ll show you 13 techniques that seriously helped me cut down on fuel expenses.

Ways To Save Fuel Expenses

Do you want to reduce your fuel-related expenses? If yes, then keep reading for some pro tips to keep your fuel bills low:

1. Remove Excess Weight

Nearly a quarter of all drivers in the UK use their car boots as a permanent storage space.

From working gear to important tools, and on-site equipment, my commercial van used to be full of things that I assumed would come in handy someday.

As it turns out, carrying extra weight in your van can affect its fuel economy. In fact, taking off 45 kilograms off your commercial van can result in up to 1% fuel saving. While it may not sound enough, this can add up to a considerable amount, especially when you’re managing a fleet of vehicles.

 

2. Control Your Motorway Speed

There is something about the motorway that makes me want to speed up. A stark difference to busy city roads, motorways tempt drivers to speed up. This, in turn, impacts their fuel economy.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, an average speed of 55-65 miles per hour is best for ensuring fuel efficiency.

 

3. Reduce Drag

High temperatures make my van unbearable, and after a certain point, I have to turn my air conditioner on. However, when I am running low on fuel, I opt to roll down my windows.

Turns out, rolling down your windows can cause ‘drag,’ or air resistance. This slows down your vehicle and adds to your fuel consumption.

The answer lies in alternating between both. At low speeds, the amount of fuel used to counter drag is more than the amount of fuel used to power your air conditioner. At higher speeds, such as on the motorway, the fuel used to overcome drag is less than the amount of fuel burned by running your air conditioner.

 

4. Tire Pressure Matters

How many times do you check up on your tires? Before I knew about their impact on fuel economy, I would drive my van for weeks without checking my tires. If tires are 8 pounds underinflated, their rolling resistance increases by 5 percent.

An underinflated tire means that more surface area is in contact with the road, which in turn requires more power, and fuel, to turn. Check the van’s user manual if you’re unsure about the ideal tire pressure for your van.

 

5. Abide By The Speed Limit

Keeping under the speed limit may seem boring, but it is actually great for fuel consumption.

By going 80 miles per hour, instead of the standard speed of 70 miles per hour, you might be able to save 20 minutes of your time. While this may sound ideal, this type of thinking can lead you into the trap of a false economy.

By going faster, you are also spending more fuel to compensate for time. According to The Guardian, a car going at 80 miles per hour is actually using 10% more fuel than a car cruising at 70 miles per hour.

 

6. Practice Smooth Acceleration

This one has more to do with your temperament than anything else. The best way to save fuel on a long journey is to travel at a constant speed; ideally, you should try to stay around 50 miles per hour.

To put it another way, a patient driver will incur lower fuel bills. Constant deceleration and acceleration can consume more fuel, and so, cruising at a steady speed will ensure higher fuel economy.

 

7. Avoid Rush Hours

During rush hours, you simply cannot avoid breaking, or stopping, which means that you have to shift down to the first gear fairly often. However, putting your car in the first gear consumes a huge amount of fuel.

While the nature of my work doesn’t always make this possible, I try to avoid the rush-hour commute to save fuel.

 

8. Get Rid Of The Roof Rack

The Energy Saving Trust has found that even an empty roof rack increases up to 16% drag if you’re driving at 75mph. Similarly, a roof box adds up to 39% drag at the same speed, significantly impacting the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.

While a roof rack is a good addition, I would advise you to remove it from your vans unless absolutely necessary, as it can save a lot of fuel in the long run.

 

9. Hit The Gas Station At The Right Time

Fuel is dispensed by volume, with temperature playing an important part. If you fill your tank during the coolest part of the day – either early in the morning or late at night – fuel at the station will be denser.

The result? More fuel for the same amount of money.

 

10. Let The Engine Run On Idle – For Brief Stops

For stops that don’t last for more than a minute, you should keep your van running. Why? Because starting your engine again after shutting it off consumes more fuel, than running it on idle for one minute.

 

11. Embrace Cruise Control

Cruise control allows vehicles to maintain consistent speed over long distances – making it the perfect way to ensure fuel economy during motorway travel.

As soon as you reach the minimum speed limit, engage cruise control for added fuel efficiency.

 

12. Replace Your Air Filters

Dirty air filters have a direct impact on your van’s fuel economy. A clean air filter allows your engine to perform more efficiently and also helps you save money at the fuel station.

 

13. Get The Right Motor Oil

Inferior quality motor oil may lower your fuel mileage due to increased friction in the engine.

By investing in high-quality motor oil, you can prevent the metal surfaces in the engine from grinding together.

 

14. Bonus Tip: Plan Your Trips

Here’s a surprising way to save fuel – do not make too many stops on longer routes. Minimizing your stops can greatly increase your fuel economy, and also save you a lot of time!

 

In A Nutshell

Your driving habits have the biggest impact on your commercial van’s fuel economy. However, by planning your trips around rush hours, and conducting regular check-ups – including tires, air filters, and motor oil – you can ensure that your fuel costs remain well within your budget.