Helpful Tips to Improve Your Vehicles' Fuel Efficiency
03 MAY 2021
With the ever-rising prices of diesel, maximizing on fuel efficiency and reducing operational costs is of utmost importance for transporters and bus operators. According to Scania data, fuel expenses equate to about 48% of the total operating costs that a transporter or bus operator incurs, and reducing on these fuel related expenses will enable them to maximize on their business returns.
Equipped with improved engine technology, decreased air drag and rolling resistance, and with the pairing of smart services and helpful tools, Scania vehicles have been engineered to increase fuel efficiency in helping our customers reduce on their operational costs.
In further achieving maximum fuel efficiency, the driving habits of drivers also plays a crucial role in improving the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. When drivers implement good driving habits, combined with the fuel saving engineering of the vehicles, it can go a long way in increasing the fuel efficiency of the vehicles, reducing vehicle emissions, and maximizing on the business returns of our customers.
The driver training and coaching team at Scania East Africa recommend the following fuel saving tips that drivers should incorporate while on the road, to maximize on the fuel efficiency of their vehicles.
Avoid Engine Idling
Engine idling wastes a lot of fuel, money and increases the emissions while getting you nowhere. Turn off your vehicle when it is stationary, or when you are in traffic for a long period of time.
Do Not Over Speed
Stay within the speed limit and save on fuel. The recommended speed limit of commercial vehicles is between 60- 80km/hr. Over speeding over works the vehicle’s engine increasing fuel consumption.
Engage Cruise Control
When it is safe and appropriate, engage cruise control. Cruise control helps to maintain a constant speed while on the highway allowing your vehicle to use an appropriate amount of fuel, while also restricting you from over speeding.
Avoid Harsh Acceleration
Your vehicle uses more fuel when you accelerate harshly. Applying steady pressure as you accelerate helps to minimize the amount of fuel consumed.
Avoid Harsh Braking
Harsh braking consumes more fuel, and it requires an increase in the number of gear changes that have to be made. It is advisable to use the auxiliary braking systems like the retarder and exhaust brake to reduce on fuel consumption. When applied, fuel delivery to the combustion chamber is halted. The vehicle is driven forward by its own momentum, and there is no need for fuel to be burnt. Saving on fuel and reducing brake wear and tear.
Apply Coasting
When you engage the brakes of a vehicle, forward momentum is lost. By observing traffic and your environment, you can tell in advance when it is time to slow down. You will save on fuel by taking your foot off the accelerator to apply coasting to slow down instead of applying your brakes.
Hill Driving
Using the momentum of a vehicle can save on fuel. The speed gathered under power can be used to ascend and descend hills without the use of the accelerator.
Engage Scania Opti-Cruise
Scania Opti-Cruise offers a choice of either a manual or an automatic clutch. The main benefits of the new Scania Opti-Cruise relate to gear changing, which is faster, smoother, and more effective, maximizing fuel efficiency without loss of speed or power. Scania Opti-Cruise has a new and effective gear changing strategy, that offers superior precision for maneuvering, allowing for economic driving without any loss of speed.
Anticipation
Planning ahead and observation of the road saves on fuel by avoiding harsh breaking and excessive gear changes.
