What Causes Poor Gas Mileage for Fleets?

Semi-truck fleets are on the road more than regular vehicles. That can mean prolonged use – and with it – a decline in gas mileage. Bad gas mileage means more fuel consumption and, subsequently, more fill-ups. Here’s what you need to know about the main causes of poor gas mileage and what you can do about it for your fleet.

Why would my gas mileage suddenly drop? 

If your rigs are experiencing a drop in fuel efficiency, it could be due to several factors. Here are the most common causes:

• Bad oxygen sensors and clogged air filters – dirty air filters and bad oxygen sensors can restrict airflow, affecting the fuel mixture and fuel efficiency

• Misfiring spark plugs – these will cause poor performance and a lack of power

• Dirty, leaking, or bad fuel injectors or fuel pumps – these can affect the fuel mixture, leading to slow acceleration, loss of power, and inefficient fuel consumption

• Motor oil quality – not changing your oil and fuel filters or using low-quality oil can increase friction on your mechanical parts

• Incorrect tire pressure – underinflated tires can increase drag and cause drops in fuel efficiency

• Excessive use of air conditioning – too much air conditioner use can rob your vehicle of efficiency

Key factors that affect gas mileage and how to fix them

A drop in fuel efficiency is often related to mechanical issues. But there could be other contributors. Here are a few factors that affect gas mileage and how to fix them:

Not driving a fuel-efficient speed

Speeding is one of the most detrimental behaviors that can rob your vehicles of good fuel economy. While less harmful in a passenger vehicle, speeding in a semi-truck can plummet fuel efficiency. Therefore, avoid speeding and instead aim to drive between 55 and 60 miles per hour. Your drivers should also utilize cruise control to maintain this constant speed.

Failing to perform maintenance

A poorly maintained vehicle is a crucial culprit of poor fuel economy. That’s because your trucks must work harder to operate, taxing many mechanical components and fuel systems. To ensure a more efficient fleet, implement a preventative maintenance program that includes frequent inspections, oil changes, parts replacements, and other maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer and owner’s manual.

Wrong or poorly maintained tires

Although you may not initially think of tires as a critical component of gas mileage, they can significantly harm your miles-per-gallon (MPG). If you haven’t already, switch to low-rolling resistance tires. These tires can improve your fuel economy by 1% for every 3% rolling resistance improvement. However, the amount of air in your tires can also affect gas mileage. Low tire pressure increases resistance and causes your fleet trucks to consume more fuel. Therefore, ensure your semi-truck tires are always filled to the recommended pressure.

Bad driving habits

Poor driving habits and dangerous driver behaviors can also contribute to poor fuel efficiency. Aggressive drivers use more fuel due to harsh braking and acceleration, longer idling times, and even revving the engine. Therefore, it’s essential to implement a driver education program that teaches efficient driving techniques so that your drivers can stay safe on the road and you can lower your fuel costs.

Aerodynamic drag

Wind resistance can affect fuel economy, as more drag means higher fuel consumption. However, if you need to make your vehicles more aerodynamic, many aftermarket packages can help reduce wind resistance.

Taking inefficient routes

Long, inefficient routes with rough idling can cost your operation. Likewise, taking city routes with stop-and-go traffic and unexpected road closures can harm fuel efficiency. To avoid these types of problems, utilize route optimization software. This software produces efficient routes using the telematics data from your fleet and real-time GPS. So your trucks will idle and get stuck less, improving fuel economy.

What is the best way to save gas?

One of the best ways to save gas is to utilize a fleet fuel card for every vehicle in your operation. These cards allow you to pay for the gas you need while helping to control all aspects of your fleet expenses. In addition, you’ll get information about your fuel consumption, spending, and other tools to help you optimize your fleet’s fuel consumption.

FleetCardsUSA helps you manage your fuel expenses

Control your budget with a fleet card from FleetCardsUSA. See fuel logs, consumption reports, spending reports, and more. Our team of experts can help you find the right card to fit the needs of your trucking company – no matter how big or small. Reach out to us today to get your tailored recommendation.