Going Green for Drivers - Saving Money and the Environment

At home, at work and over the road, more people are looking how they can "Go Green' in their every day lives. For truck drivers of all size vehicles and all types of roads, this is especially important in light of current high operation costs. You want to know how you can help the environment and your pocket despite the high cost of fuel.

People are looking for examples of how going green saves you money, how to implement green ideas and how transportation can be more environmentally friendly. Fleet managers want to know how to improve fuel economy in fleet vehicles and increase fuel mileage for diesel trucks. The high cost of fuel is prompting increased fuel theft, making security locks for truck fuel caps and anti-siphon devices increasingly popular as a gas stealing deterrent.

How Going Green Saves You Money

As a member of the transportation community, you have the opportunity to Go Green and save money as well. Whether you are a Fleet Manager, Shop Owner/Manager or an Independent Owner Operator, you can find ways to cut costs and increase your Green. Whether you are in Construction, Distribution, Mass Transportation, Manufacturing or a Private Fleet Owner, there are ways for you to grow green.

Going Green Resources for Truck Drivers and Fleet Managers

Take our online Fuel Management Online Training Course. This lesson provides practical tips on how drivers can save a significant amount of diesel fuel through making small changes. It also describes how an Owner/Operator or fleet buyer can spec a truck for maximum fuel savings.

On the right side of this page there are shortcuts to resources for preventing fuel theft, improving fuel mileage and maintaining your vehicles for optimal performance. Proper Tire Air Inflation Pressure Saves Gas and Prevents Uneven Tire Wear is one our Tech Tips and can save you money now and in the long haul. Visit our Tech Tips page for more free articles to help with your green fleet maintenance.

For you as a truck driver, owner/operator or fleet manager the same tried-and-true fuel saving best practices still work and include:

• Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned.

  Fixing a vehicle that is noticeably out of tune can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent. View and buy tune-up components for your light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks now.

Check & Replace Air Filters Regularly

Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your fuel mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your vehicle's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine. View and buy air filters for your truck now.

Keep Tires Properly Inflated

You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. Find the best tire air pressure gauge for your trucks.

Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil

You can improve your fuel mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives. View and buy new oil filters now.

Drive Sensibly

Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.