Fueling strategies to lower fuel costs

Shift points, over reving the engine will use fuel, also knowing the cheapest fuel stops in advance. Fuel taxes, watch them also. Do not idle the engine.

 

OK first thing to learn is this - how states charge fuel taxes and what these taxes are. With that knowledge, you can plan on your fuel purchases to save you either money at the pump or through the tax savings or both.

I would always fill up, no matter what.

 

I look online & check all fuel prices on the route that I will be on, before I leave out. then I pick which one I want to stop at. I always fill up so I can keep tabs on my m.p.g. if it falls I will know in the next fill up.I calculate at every fill. when it starts to drop off, other than cold weather, hills, wind, e.t.c. I make sure air flit is not over due, overhead is not needed, check tires e.t.c. when I was o.t.r. I would do everything at one stop. fuel, shower,sleep, eat. I never idled. even at the fuel island. even when cold out unless extreme cold. would idle for 15 min, heat on get truck nice & warm then turn off. usually wake up in 4-5 hours start truck let run for 30 min or so & shut back off. these were just my habits good or bad. leaving early so I could cruise at 62 m.p.h. saved me $375.00 a week doing 2 runs to g.r. MI & back home. at that time was as follows. 1700 miles round trip x's $3.00 a gal. the diffrence in driving 62 vs my other speeds of 68-72 m.p.h. was 1 m.p.g. & $375.00 in saved fuel cost. but it cost me in time, but that was .o.k.

 

I practiced the latter, but in those days you could put on 50 (or 75?) gallons and just flag it w/o taking 15 minutes, so it was even more attractive. You can take that technique almost as far as you want, grinding down the numbers to the gnat's behind.

You can also practice managing your momentum better/smoother than your speed control. It's hard to beat on the flats, but in hilly terrain it wastes fuel to carry speed over the crest of a grade, then sometimes accelerate down the other side. Use gravity, works every time.

I like to drive as if I have no brakes, and use them like I don't like to. Creating and maintaining following distances is crucial to avoid braking. This usually requires being the slowest vehicle on the road (which usually only requires observing the speed limit), so the nuts who are going to use your LF fender as a pylon no matter what have plenty of room to pull away, and you have plenty of space to avoid them if they crash. Few drivers have the discipline to take it to that level.

 

One small tip is to not "top off". When the nozzle clicks hang it up or you'll be paying for fuel that may return back to the pump

 

I bought cheap fuel in SC for a couple months and then they got me on the IFTA tax,so they get you either way.

 

cart.horse

 

My strategy is not sign up for a lease purchase so some company can have me paying for that crap. Wind, Cold, and heavy loads all play a factor in fuel mileage. So if you truly want to save money get a few more years experience b4 you sign up for a fleece purchase.

 

Agreed. There are certain things you should learn on someone else's dime.