Big Fuel Savings: Curb Fuel Spending by Maintaining Company Vehicles
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CURB FUEL SPENDING BY MAINTAINING COMPANY VEHICLES While we obsess over fuel costs and consider where savings can be made without cutting corners, something as simple as basic vehicle maintenance can have a dramatic effect on a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. The Fuelcard Company’s top ten tips for maintaining your company vehicle: 01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. PUMP IT UP Ensure that all tyres are inflated to their correct pressure as advised by the vehicle’s manufacturer. Fuel consumption could fall by as much as 3.3% if the correct pressures are used. Conversely, letting tyre pressures drop by just 1 psi can see a 0.3% increase in fuel consumption. SERVICING IS SACROSANCT Servicing can eat up time and money but keeping your fleet in tip-top condition is imperative to decent fuel efficiency. A failed emissions test or an out-of-tune engine can pummel fuel economy by up to 4%. FUEL FOR THOUGHT Not all fuels are the same; there are several diesel variants that claim to save on fuel costs. For instance, Shell believes that its FuelSave Diesel can offer fuel savings of up to 3%, improved engine performance, lower CO2 emissions, and more. Such fuels are worthy of further investigation as some fleet managers claim that they have experienced up to 5% increased fuel economy. Used in conjunction with Shell CRT fuel cards from The Fuelcard Company, those savings could be even bigger. AXE THOSE ACCESSORIES Vehicle manufacturers spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on wind tunnels and testing facilities to ensure that their vehicles are as aerodynamically efficient as possible. Then we come along and slap a roof rack on the car for a one-off trip – and leave it there. Cue a hit on fuel efficiency by rack-induced drag. Rule of thumb; If you're not using it, lose it. CLEAR OUT CLUTTER Check the boot, glove box and all cubbyholes for unnecessary clutter, bags and other items. Any extra weight has a direct impact on fuel consumption because the engine has to take the strain. STEAMY WINDOWS Dirt on the inside of your front and rear windows not only obscures visibility but can also affect fuel economy. According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, mucky windows mist up more quickly than clean ones and require the extra use of fuel-hungry heaters and air con to clear. DISHING THE DIRT Dirt can, quite literally, be a drag; the dirt, grit and other mush that builds up on a vehicle's bodywork over the course of a week can reduce fuel efficiency. So keep the fleet shiny not just for the prestige – but for the sake of those hard-earned pounds too. THE BLACK STUFF Always use the grade of motor oil recommended by the vehicle maker. If mixing the wrong grade of oil with an engine, you could see fuel consumption increase by up to 2%. Check with the vehicle’s manual for the correct oil grade. FIX NOW, DON'T PAY LATER! Don't delay on getting mechanical issues fixed. Even small problems like worn spark plugs or faulty thermostats can have a knock-on effect on fuel consumption. And bigger problems such as an oxygen sensor playing up could increase fuel consumption by up to 40%... BUST MYTHS Contrary to popular belief, replacing a fuel-injected petrol vehicle's air filter will not improve the vehicle's MPG. It will, however, improve acceleration quicker by up to 11%. Perhaps best to leave that grubby-looking air filter exactly where it is then... FOR MORE EXPERT ADVICE ON REDUCING YOUR FUEL COSTS, DOWNLOAD OUR FREE EGUIDE NOW › KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR HEAVY FOOTED DRIVERS: WITHOUT A HEAVY HAND YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY THE EGUIDE DRIVING 101: TEACHING YOUR DRIVERS HOW TO DRIVE FOR FUEL EFFICIENCY.
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13-Sep-2014 -
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http://blog.fuelcards.co.uk/blog/bid/135108/Big-Fuel-Savings-Curb-Fuel-Spending-by-Maintaining-Company-Vehicles - While we obsess over fuel costs and consider where savings can be made without cutting corners, something as simple as basic vehicle maintenance can have a dramatic effect on a vehicle's fuel efficiency. Here are The Fuelcard Company's top ten tips for maintaining your company vehicles.
Transcript of Big Fuel Savings: Curb Fuel Spending by Maintaining Company Vehicles
CURB FUEL SPENDING BY MAINTAINING COMPANY VEHICLESWhile we obsess over fuel costs and consider where savings can be made without cutting corners, something as simple as basic vehicle maintenance can have a dramatic effect on a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. The Fuelcard Company’s top ten tips for maintaining your company vehicle:
01. 02. 03. 04. 05.
06.
07.
08.09.
10.
PUMP IT UPEnsure that all tyres are inflated to their correct pressure as advised by the vehicle’s manufacturer. Fuel consumption could fall by as much as 3.3% if the correct pressures are used. Conversely, letting tyre pressures drop by just 1 psi can see a 0.3% increase in fuel consumption.
SERVICING IS SACROSANCTServicing can eat up time and money but keeping your fleet in tip-top condition is imperative to decent fuel efficiency. A failed emissions test or an out-of-tune engine can pummel fuel economy by up to 4%.
FUEL FOR THOUGHTNot all fuels are the same; there are several diesel variants that claim to save on fuel costs. For instance, Shell believes that its FuelSave Diesel can offer fuel savings of up to 3%, improved engine performance, lower CO2 emissions, and more. Such fuels are worthy of further investigation as some fleet managers claim that they have experienced up to 5% increased fuel economy. Used in conjunction with Shell CRT fuel cards from The Fuelcard Company, those savings could be even bigger.
AXE THOSE ACCESSORIESVehicle manufacturers spend hundreds of thousands ofpounds on wind tunnels and testing facilities to ensure that their vehicles are as aerodynamically efficient as possible. Then we come along and slap a roof rack on the car for a one-off trip – and leave it there. Cue a hit on fuel efficiency by rack-induced drag. Rule of thumb; If you're not using it, lose it.
CLEAR OUT CLUTTERCheck the boot, glove box and all cubbyholes for unnecessary clutter, bags and other items. Any extra weight has a direct impact on fuel consumption because the engine has to take the strain.
STEAMY WINDOWSDirt on the inside of your front and rear windowsnot only obscures visibility but can also affect fuel economy. According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, mucky windows mist up more quickly than clean ones and require the extra use of fuel-hungry heaters and air con to clear.
DISHING THE DIRTDirt can, quite literally, be a drag; the dirt, grit and other mush that builds up on a vehicle's bodywork over the course of a week can reduce fuel efficiency. So keep the fleet shiny not just for the prestige – but for the sake of those hard-earned pounds too.
THE BLACK STUFFAlways use the grade of motor oil recommended by the vehicle maker. If mixing the wrong grade of oil with an engine, you could see fuel consumption increase by up to 2%. Check with the vehicle’s manual for the correct oil grade.
FIX NOW, DON'T PAY LATER!Don't delay on getting mechanical issues fixed. Even small problems like worn spark plugs or faulty thermostats can have a knock-on effect on fuel consumption. And bigger problems such as an oxygen sensor playing up could increase fuel consumption by up to 40%...
BUST MYTHSContrary to popular belief, replacing a fuel-injected petrol vehicle's air filter will not improve the vehicle's MPG. It will, however, improve acceleration quicker by up to 11%. Perhaps best to leave that grubby-looking air filter exactly where it is then...
FOR MORE EXPERT ADVICE ON REDUCING YOUR FUEL COSTS, DOWNLOAD OUR FREE EGUIDE NOW › KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR HEAVY FOOTED DRIVERS: WITHOUT A HEAVY HANDYOU MAY ALSO ENJOY THE EGUIDE DRIVING 101: TEACHING YOUR DRIVERS HOW TO DRIVE FOR FUEL EFFICIENCY.
