Fuel for Thought
Save Some Bucks at the Pump by Economizing Your Work Fleet's Consumption
Some day soon, our work vehicles will be powered by alternative fuels - organic bio-products, the celestial energy of the sun or maybe just our happy thoughts. Until then, your crews will need to learn how to manage their intake of petroleum-derived liquids like diesel and gasoline.
Contractors will always need to stay mobile, which means they're always going to need to economize their energy intake to stay efficient. That's getting tougher these days when the brain trust at AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report (www.fuelgagereport.com) tells us that unleaded gas prices average $2.98 nationally and diesel prices average $2.90 nationally.
 Those smart government folks say that gas inventory has been lower than normal in the first half of 2007. According to the EPA, during 12 consecutive weeks in February, March and April, total U.S. gasoline inventories dropped by 15 percent. Lower import levels, refinery outages and bigger fuel demands from foreign fuel giants like China have all contributed to a slowdown in supply growth.
The bad news is that fuel prices are expected to stay high throughout the summer work season, as inventories remain low. The good news is the CE energy team has some tips to keep your crews from being major gas guzzlers.
- Exorcise your speed demon. Driving at posted speed limits not only saves fuel but also cuts down on spectacular crashes involving towed machinery.
- Under pressure? Under-inflated tires require more energy to roll, which burns up more fuel.
- Avoid sudden stops and starts. Erratic acceleration and braking can waste up to 50 cents a gallon. It can also increase incidents of rush-hour road rage.
- Lose some weight. Don't carry around items you don't need (like crap for Goodwill). For every 100 lbs of weight in your truck, fuel economy decreases by 1 to 2 percent.
- Take off the snow tires already, Einstein. Driving on those deep tire treads means more rolling resistance.
- Fill up on weekdays - Tuesday mid-day and Wednesday morning are the best. Also, try fueling up at night - because pumps deliver more gas at night when temperatures are lower.
- Avoid idling. If you have to sit in your car for more than one minute, shut off the engine. Take your air conditioned lunch breaks to Sam's freezer aisle.
- Keep your gas cap on tight. Tightening the gas cap on your vehicles will prevent gas from evaporating into the air (like your fuel budgets).
- Park in the shade. This minimizes fuel evaporation and helps keep your work truck cool in the summer and your lunch nap relaxed and refreshing.
- A simple tune-up on your work vehicle can improve your gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent. With the money you save, add a sweet, aerodynamic spoiler, making your crews even more sleek and efficient.
Keith Gribbins
Managing Editor
kgribbins@benjaminmedia.com
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