How to Save on Fuel Costs, Despite Rising Gas Prices
High fuel prices are putting the squeeze on drivers, especially small businesses. Instead of worrying about gas prices, we should focus on consuming less gas. Gas prices are rising and there’s not much you can do about it. But you can take control by investing in more fuel efficient vehicles and developing fuel efficient driving habits.
Due to the economic recession, many small businesses are already suffering from razor-thin profit margins. With gas prices this high, it makes sense for small businesses to invest in a fleet GPS tracking system. Tracking and managing fleet vehicles can significantly reduce fuel expenses. The Aberdeen Group, an independent research firm, concluded that a GPS fleet tracking system can reduce fuel costs by 13.2% on average.
GPS Fleet Tracking Systems and Rising Gas Prices
A GPS fleet tracking system has proven time and time again to reduce fuel costs. For example, if a fleet of 25 vehicles reduced idling time by only 15 minutes per day, it could easily result in fuel savings of 562.5 gallons – reducing costs by roughly $1,986 per year at current diesel gas prices. If you reduce idling time by 60 minutes, it would result in a fuel savings of 2,250 gallons at a cost of almost $7,500 per year!
High-impact Driving Tips from FieldLogix Green Fleet Management System:
1. Select the most fuel efficient vehicle the journey.
Don’t take the family SUV or a big truck when you can drive a smaller and more fuel efficient vehicle.
2.Take the Junk Out of Your Car
The heavier your car is, the more gas it burns. Remove all the excess stuff (golf clubs, ski racks) from your car when you’re not using it. Carrying around items you don’t need only will make your vehicle’s fuel economy worse.
3. Don’t Let Your Vehicle Warm Up Before You Start Driving
Modern vehicle technology built in the past 10 years allows your car to operate at very near its top efficiency the moment it starts. Letting a car idle while you wait for the engine to warm up or for the heater to kick in is a waste of gas.
4. Turn the Vehicle Off When You’re Not Driving
If you pull over for a phone call or are picking up someone, turn the car off while you are not driving. Letting a car idle when you’re just sitting there is simply a waste of gas. Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more gas and emits more pollution than restarting your car. Turn the car off if you’re not moving.
5. Drive Slower and Less Aggressively
Obey speed limits, accelerate and stop gradually, and anticipate stops. Obeying the speed limit can save you a lot of money. Don’t be a lead foot, peeling out at stops. Jack-rabbit starts waste gas and only get you to the next traffic light faster, where your car will idle longer. Always drive at or below the speed limit on the highway. A good rule of thumb is that for every 10 mph faster you drive, you reduce fuel economy by about 4 mpg, regardless of vehicle size. Additionally, cruise control can help you maintain a steady speed which helps to improve fuel efficiency.
6. Regularly Check Tire Pressure
Make sure you check your tire PSI when the tires are cold.. Maintaining the correct PSI, or pounds per square inch, in your car’s tires will give you better gas mileage, so check pressures once a month before you start driving and add air accordingly. If your car is equipped with a tire pressure monitor system — now standard equipment on all new cars — don’t dismiss any alarms as false. Pressure increases as you drive and tires warm up, so a low-pressure alarm when you start driving that goes away later means tire pressure is on the border of being too low and should be adjusted. Check your owner’s manual or the label on the inside of the driver’s door for the correct PSI rating. The number on the tire’s sidewall is the maximum PSI and should not be used.
7. Maintain the Vehicle Properly
Always make sure your vehicle is tuned when needed, and at least checked twice a year for alignment. An improper alignment can waste fuel.
Smart driving is especially important for businesses that operate a fleet of vehicles, because small changes can have big impacts on a larger scale. In the United States alone there are almost 15 million company-owned fleet vehicles on the road today. Fleet vehicles are driven hard, averaging nearly double the mileage, fuel consumption and emissions of personal vehicles. If your company operates a fleet of vehicles, FieldLogix GPS fleet management system can help your company save thousands.