Maintenance is not just about keeping the truck running but also about saving money in the long run. A well-maintained truck will have fewer breakdowns and repairs. Keeping your rig in good condition is crucial, given the ongoing rise in fuel prices.
Here are some tips to keep your vehicle eco-friendly and fuel-efficient:
Check the Air Filters
Air filters are a vital part of the engine and help keep it running smoothly. A clogged air filter can be the cause of many problems with the car, including decreased gas mileage and increased emissions. Air filters protect the engine by capturing dirt particles that may enter through the air intake. They work by trapping these particles and preventing them from getting into the engine.
Regular Oil Maintenance
An oil change is crucial to the longevity and performance of a vehicle. The engine oil lubricates the engine parts, cleans the engine, and reduces friction. It also helps in preventing wear and tear of the engine parts. It is a preventive maintenance process that can be done at regular intervals, depending on the vehicle’s make and model.
Properly Inflate Your Tires
Tires are designed to hold air and support the weight of your vehicle. When tires are not correctly inflated, they wear out faster, leading to blowouts. The most accurate way to measure tire pressure is with a gauge in pounds per square inch (PSI). This gauge type will have a dial with numbers on it and will require you to read the measurements by eye.
If you don’t have a gauge, you can use a penny. Just place it into the tire’s tread and see if it’s fully seated or has any space between the tire and the penny. If there is space between the two, you must add more air. Check your truck tires at least once a month to ensure that they are inflated to the correct pressure.
Wheel Alignment
When the wheels are not aligned, the tire rolling resistance is increased. It results in decreased fuel efficiency and tire wear and tear. It is essential to make sure that your car’s rims are aligned regularly. Otherwise, you will be wasting gas and money on tires that need to be replaced more often.
Lightweight wheels are an economical way to save on fuel. You will significantly reduce gas consumption with rims like Black Rhino wheels. Lighter wheels reduce vehicle weight and thus reduce the energy required to move a vehicle. It can help improve fuel economy by up to 3%.
Utilize Cruise Control Feature
Cruise control can reduce the amount of fuel used by your vehicle by up to 5%. This means that if you drive 20 miles on cruise control, you will save about 1 gallon of gas. The feature can be beneficial if you go on long stretches of highway without exits or traffic lights. On these roads, cruise control can help drivers maintain a constant speed and avoid unnecessarily speeding up or slowing down.
Know Your Speed
It is important to know that most engines are tuned to reach optimal gas mileage at around 60 mph. It means that going faster than 60 mph will consume more gas, and the car will use more fuel. The problem is that we live in a society where speed limits are often ignored, and people drive much faster than the optimal speed. It has led to an increase in fuel consumption which has been detrimental to the environment and our economy.
Remove Unnecessary Weights Like Roof Racks
The fuel efficiency of a car is affected by its weight. When you have a roof rack, that weight is distributed on the roof, not the ground. The rig with an empty roof rack makes it 3% less fuel-efficient. This means that when you are driving your car, your mileage will be decreased by 3%. It can be due to how much weight is on the roof. A roof rack can significantly affect fuel efficiency because it is spread out over more surface area and doesn’t put all of its weight on one point.
Modify It
A truck modification can help improve the fuel mileage of a truck. Below are some of the upgrades and accessories to consider:
- Cold Air Intake: A high-flow cold air intake system is a type of air intake designed to increase the amount of air entering the engine. It is done by decreasing the amount of restriction on the engine. The system has been proven effective in reducing emissions, increasing horsepower, and improving fuel mileage.
- Exhaust System: The effect of a cat-back exhaust system on fuel mileage is unclear. Some believe it can improve fuel mileage by reducing back pressure and friction losses in the engine. But some people think that a cat-back exhaust system can also reduce power output and make the engine work harder to produce the same amount of power as before.
- Performance Chips or Tuners: Performance chips or tuners are small devices that can be installed in a car to improve its performance. The device is attached to the engine and boosts performance by changing its operation. The effect of a performance chip or tuner on truck fuel mileage depends on various factors, such as the type of vehicle you drive and your driving habits.
- Suspension Kit: High-performance suspension kits come with a host of benefits. They are designed to improve a vehicle’s handling, control, and performance. A high-performance suspension kit typically includes new springs, shocks, and struts.
The springs are designed to provide the best ride possible for the driver and passengers. Its shocks are designed to reduce bouncing in rough terrain or when taking sharp turns at high speeds. While the struts help keep the tires on the ground and provide stability when going over bumps or potholes.
- Tonneau covers: Truck bed covers are one of the most popular truck accessories. Truck owners install them for many different reasons, but the most common is to protect the cargo from rain and snow in the back of the truck bed. Tonneau covers can help you with your fuel mileage in more ways than one: they can save you money on gas because they reduce aerodynamic drag and keep you cooler by blocking direct sunlight from heating your vehicle’s interior.
Gas mileage is usually measured in miles per gallon, showing how far a car can go with one gallon of fuel. Good fuel economy comes down to the type of vehicle you are driving. There are times when you have to do a numbers game to recoup your savings. Ultimately, you’ll be able to save money on your next pump and spend it on other things if you do proper care for your vehicle.
