The only place the price of gas is going is up. And if you are driving new or large vehicles like a truck, the cost sums up being more than what most of us can handle. That’s why it is wise to spend the gas carefully.
Besides, during a situation like COVID-19, the less you visit the gas station, the better. But, to do that, you have to learn how to minimize gas usage.
From my experience, I’ve prepared this article with tips on how to get better gas mileage in a truck. So, let’s not waste any more time and save some gas money.
What Is Gas Mileage?
Gas mileage is measured by miles per gallon or MPG. It is the number of miles a vehicle can travel to a specific amount of gas.
Gas mileage is also known as fuel economy as it indicates the fuel efficiency of vehicles. To calculate your vehicle’s gas mileage, you divide the miles you have covered by the gallons of gas you have used.
How To Get Better Gas Mileage In A Truck?
Here are some tips that will help you boost gas mileage in a truck.
- Plan Your Route
- Avoid Idling
- Avoid Speeding
- Avoid Extra Load
- Use A Lower-Viscosity Oil
- Reduce A/C Usage
- Maintain Correct Tires Inflation
- Maintain the Truck
Whether you are driving inside the city or highway, a large amount of fuel consumption happens. And it is an important issue when driving a truck as it requires more gas than a car or SUV.
Getting better gas mileage means increasing your truck’s fuel efficiency. And to improve fuel efficiency, you need to maintain a few things. Here are some proven tips that will help you to get better gas mileage in a truck.
- Plan Your Route
I believe I’m not the only one with such experience where you go through the same route or take detours while running errands or going to multiple locations. It happens when we do not plan our route ahead of time. Not only is it a waste of time, but it is also a waste of gas.
So, always plan first to know which route will allow you to run errands without any detours. Also, it is best to avoid high-traffic roads and use a GPS to make sure everything goes well.
- Avoid Idling
Someone once told me that warming up the truck is necessary before you start driving. Another person said that starting the truck would cost the same amount of gas we spend by idling the vehicle.
It turns out, none of these are true. Starting the vehicle consumes less fuel, and warming up is unnecessary. Now, imagine how many gallons of gas we are wasting every year and how much its estimated price can be.
That’s why avoid idling your truck if you are likely to stop somewhere for more than a minute. Also, if you are to pick up food, park your car and walk to pick it up rather than waiting in drive-thrus.
- Avoid Speeding
Did you know that you can reduce your truck’s fuel consumption by around 7 percent if you avoid speeding? That’s right! I’m not going to lie, but we tend to speed up on the highway.
Speeding the truck to 70-75 mph instead of 60-65 mph can consume at least 27% more gas than usual. That’s why I suggest keeping your truck steady and using the cruise control to make sure you don’t drive recklessly.
- Avoid Extra Load
We all tend to fill up our truck beds with unnecessary things. But, moving a heavy truck always requires more fuel. For every 100 pounds load, you lose 1% of gas mileage.
The solution is to ditch all the unnecessary things you are keeping on the truck bed. Other than increasing fuel efficiency, it will help you save some cash.
- Use A Lower-Viscosity Oil
The type of oil you are using in the truck plays a critical role in oil efficiency. You might be using either of these two types of oils:
- Thick oil
- Light oil
Using thick oil can decrease gas mileage as it increases the loads on the fuel pump. It can get worse during the winter as oil gets thicker at the time.
That’s why it is better to use lighter oil. But if your user’s manual says it isn’t an option for you, try changing the oil before it gets thick.
- Reduce A/C Usage
I understand that it is difficult and sometimes impossible not to use the truck air conditioning system, especially during the scorching heat of the summer.
But unless you need it, not using A/C can increase gas mileage in your truck. If possible, keep the truck window open, or you can park the truck in shades.
- Maintain Correct Tires Inflation
Ensuring proper inflation of the tires plays a vital role in increasing your truck’s MPG. When you are driving with low-inflated tires, your vehicle is consuming more fuel than necessary.
So, make sure to check what the manufacturer says about the inflation level. The pressure should never be more over or under what is required.
- Maintain The Truck
Last but not least, a well-maintained truck will help you save both money and effort. In that case, check the inflation and rolling of the tires, look for any noise that may seem unusual, and make sure to replace the air intake system from time to time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gas Mileage
Does Using Old Fuel Reduce Gas Mileage?
The older the gas gets, the more it starts breaking down and keeps losing its combustibility. That’s why old fuel isn’t much of a help when it comes to being fuel-efficient. The only thing you should do is to get rid of it and fill the tank with new fuel.
Does Driving Slow Save Fuel?
The answer is both yes and no. Because sometimes it does save fuel, while other times it doesn’t. Highway fuel economy is always better than the city.
But the fuel automatically degrades on the highway after you reach a specific speed. It happens because of the energy it needs to balance the speed.
What Is The Best Speed For Fuel Efficiency?
Vehicles usually become fuel-efficient when the speed reaches or stays 60-65 mph. But, I would say the most efficient speed level should be between 50-60 mph.
Tips to Get Better Gas Mileage from your Truck or Car (video)
Final Word
Figuring out how to get better gas mileage in a truck is not tricky math to solve. It is all about changing some of our driving habits and learning to adjust to something new. You may not be able to follow all these tips every time you are out with your truck.
In the same way, the tips are not for all trucks or any other vehicle drivers. It all depends on the situation you are in and how much you can or are willing to try. However, you can always try your best to ensure the maximum fuel efficiency of your vehicle.
