5 Ways to Optimize Your Fuel Savings
Fleet managers cannot control the factors that drive up national fuel prices year in and year out. These price hikes can decimate a company’s bottom line, leaving many wondering what they can do to minimize the impact. Thankfully, there are steps managers can take to optimize their fuel savings and lessen the blow they will receive this fall. Here are five ways that you can make a difference for the last part of the year.
Optimize fuel savings by knocking out bad practices. You might be surprised at the savings.
1. Stop the Idling
A typical fleet vehicle can waste up to 0.4 gallons of fuel per hour when idling. That might not sound like much, but consider that idling for one hour a day would come out to about 96 gallons of fuel a year. Now tack that amount on to each vehicle in your fleet- still seem small? Even if fuel was as low as $2 a gallon, that would still add up to $192 per vehicle.
2. Easy on the Gas, and Easy on the Brake
Rapid acceleration and braking can take a serious toll on any vehicle’s gas mileage. On average, fuel economy can be lowered by 30 percent on the highway when drivers practice these bad habits. Hold your drivers accountable for how they handle their vehicles on the road.
3. Maintain Tire Pressures
As the temperature cools, tire pressure changes. If the air in your fleet vehicles’ tires is over or under the correct psi, it’s lowering the fuel economy. A drop in tire pressure is more often the case with daily-use vehicles and colder weather, making it crucial for your drivers to stay on top of their psi levels this fall.
4. Maintain the Engines
Simple upkeep on fleet vehicle engines can improve fuel mileage by up to five percent. With costs rising on the horizon, that percentage can make all the difference in the world. All you have to do is have the trucks inspected for possible repairs and minor maintenance. While you’re at it, have them double-check the wheel alignment. Even if a vehicle is off by a smidgen, it can increase the drag, which significantly lowers fuel economy. Vehicles like semi-trucks are highly susceptible to misalignment due to the weight they carry around.
5. Make It Easier on Your Wallet and Optimize Fuel Savings
Times are tough enough without gas prices going up again, but follow these tips and your company will be able to soften the blow and save hundreds on the cost of fuel. The TCS Fuel Card gave its users an average savings of $.047 per gallon during the 2nd quarter of 2025!