Semi-Truck Fuel Economy Tips for Efficient Hauling

Fuel costs are significant for truck drivers, especially over long hauls. With rising fuel prices, improving fuel economy isn’t just a way to save money—it’s essential for staying profitable on the road.

Beyond cost savings, efficient fuel use also reduces environmental impact, making each trip more sustainable. For these reasons, we’re sharing practical tips to help you maximize your semi-truck fuel economy and make every gallon count.

The Importance of Knowing How Much Your Truck Can Hold

Truck drivers must know their gas mileage to take full advantage of a haul. By doing so, they can minimize fuel costs, thus improving travel and delivery time.

A semi truck’s fuel economy depends on the type of journey it takes. For instance, trucks can have a mileage of 23 mpg going downhill. However, this number drastically decreases to 3 when going uphill. On average, semi-trucks have a gas mileage of 6.5 miles per gallon.

How Many Gallons of Oil Does a Semi Truck Hold?

The number of gallons a semi-truck can hold tends to vary depending on the size of the oil filter, oil cooler, and oil pan type. In most cases, trucks can hold up to 15 gallons of oil.

One way to improve your fuel efficiency is by staying on top of your truck’s oil changes. On average, a semi-truck needs an oil change every 25,000 miles.

How Much Fuel Does a Semi Truck Hold?

Truckers need to know the amount of oil and gas a truck can hold.

Generally, semi-trucks can hold between 125 and 300 gallons of fuel. Moreover, truckers should always fill up a fuel tank to 95% and avoid letting it get below 25%. We’ll explain the reason behind this rule further in this article.

Optimize Aerodynamics for Better Fuel Economy

Improving your semi-truck’s aerodynamics can make a noticeable difference in fuel efficiency, especially on long hauls. When trucks face high wind resistance, the engine works harder, increasing fuel consumption. Implementing simple aerodynamic adjustments can significantly reduce drag and improve fuel mileage.

Consider Trailer Skirts and Trailer Tails

Trailer skirts, also known as side skirts, are panels installed between the trailer’s wheels. These panels reduce the drag caused by wind hitting the underside of the trailer, helping the truck move more smoothly and with less resistance. Similarly, trailer tails are attachments at the back of the trailer that streamline airflow, further reducing drag. Both of these features are designed to improve fuel economy by around 5-10%.

Reduce the Gap Between Truck and Trailer

The gap between the cab and the trailer can create a “wind tunnel” effect that increases drag. Adjusting this gap to be as small as possible can reduce wind resistance and enhance fuel efficiency. Many drivers use fairings to fill this gap, which minimizes air turbulence and allows for a smoother ride.

Invest in Aerodynamic Mirrors and Wheel Covers

Small adjustments like using streamlined mirrors and wheel covers can make a difference over time. Aerodynamic mirrors and wheel covers are designed to minimize wind resistance without sacrificing safety or functionality. When combined with other aerodynamic adjustments, they help cut fuel consumption, making each haul more cost-effective.

Improve Your Semi Truck Fuel Economy with These Tips

If you’re a trucker, follow these tips to make the most of your semi truck fuel economy:

• Avoid overfilling your fuel tank.
• Stay on top of your truck’s tires.
• Don’t keep your truck idle.
• Make sure to take advantage of your momentum and high gear.
• Be careful of slippery roads.

Avoid Overfilling Your Fuel Tank

Believe it or not, topping off your tank can affect your gas mileage. This is because filled tanks often expand and even overflow when this happens, thus bringing harmful consequences.

Some of these harmful effects include:

• Damage to your truck’s engine and charcoal canister
• Release of gas vapors due to spills
• Damage to the station’s vapor recovery system

Along with the dangers it brings to truckers and the environment, overfilling your tank actually adds extra weight to your truck. In the end, you’ll end up wasting more money while slowing yourself down.

Stay on Top of Your Truck’s Tires

Proper tire maintenance is essential for improving your semi-truck’s fuel economy. One of the easiest yet most impactful actions is regularly inflating your tires to the recommended pressure level. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, causing your truck to use more fuel. In fact, a drop of just 10 PSI can reduce your fuel mileage by 1%. To avoid this, make it a habit to check tire pressure frequently.

Prioritize Tire Alignment and Rotation

Beyond inflation, tire alignment, and rotation also play a key role in fuel efficiency. Misaligned tires create uneven wear, which forces your truck to work harder and use more fuel. By ensuring your tires are correctly aligned and rotated, you reduce friction and improve overall performance. Regular alignments and rotations will not only increase fuel economy but also extend the life of your tires, helping you save on replacement costs.

Choose Low Rolling Resistance Tires

Another way to boost fuel efficiency is to use low-rolling resistance tires. These tires are specifically designed to reduce the energy lost as they roll, leading to better fuel economy. Although these tires may have a higher upfront cost, the fuel savings they provide over time can make them a worthwhile investment for long-haul drivers.

Don’t Keep Your Truck Idle

Whether for a quick errand or to keep a truck’s temperature stable, it’s common for drivers to leave their trucks idle. Nevertheless, this mistake can negatively affect your truck’s fuel economy.

Just think of it:

Having a truck idle for an extended period keeps your engine running, thus burning extra gas. In fact, an hour can burn over a gallon of fuel!

That’s why all truckers must follow a rule of thumb: they shouldn’t let their truck stay idle for more than 5 minutes. If a quick errand takes more than this, then you should turn your truck off.

Make Sure to Take Advantage of Your Momentum and High Gears

Experienced truck drivers are aware of the opportunity they get when using momentum, especially when driving a heavy truck. As you get used to driving a truck, you’ll notice that momentum builds up even when you’re driving at a steady speed.

Using this momentum going uphill will cause your truck to use less fuel due to the extra boost. Moreover, you can even go downhill without the need to use the gas pedal.

Taking advantage of your truck’s momentum also means knowing when to brake. Whenever you’re reaching a stop sign or exit, be sure to start by slowing down in advance. By doing so, you will avoid any abrupt halts.

Always remember to use your brakes the least you can since they will break your momentum.

In addition to using your momentum, staying in high gear can improve your fuel economy. While the total control you have over your gears depends on the type of transmission of your semi-truck, this tip works best for trucks with manual gearboxes.

High gears typically consume less fuel than lower ones because they put less strain on the engine. Nonetheless, avoid using high gears if you’re driving slowly, as they can hurt your gas mileage.

Be Cautious on Slippery Roads

If you’re aiming to improve your fuel economy, avoiding slippery roads is essential. Slippery surfaces—whether from ice, rain, gravel, or oil—make it harder for your tires to grip the road, leading to reduced control and increased fuel consumption as your truck works harder to gain traction.

Planning your route to avoid hazardous road conditions can help you drive more efficiently and stay safe. However, when slippery roads are unavoidable, it’s important to know the right techniques for maintaining control and traction.

Here are some key safety tips to help you navigate slippery conditions:

• Reduce speed and drive carefully: Slow down to maintain control and give yourself more reaction time.
• Engage your axle interlock: This improves stability and control by distributing power to all wheels.
• Keep the engine within its optimal RPM range: Staying close to the recommended RPM range prevents excessive fuel use and improves traction.
• Avoid following tracks: Following other tire tracks on slick surfaces can reduce traction, increasing the risk of sliding.
• Approach corners cautiously: Slow down before turns to prevent skidding or losing control.

By taking these precautions, you’ll improve safety and efficiency on slippery roads, helping you stay on track and avoid fuel-wasting mishaps.

Ready to Boost Your Semi-Truck’s Fuel Efficiency?

Now that you’re equipped with essential tips for maximizing semi-truck fuel economy, it’s time to put them into action. Every small adjustment can make a big difference on the road, saving you fuel and money in the long run.

If you ever find yourself in need of assistance, whether for maintenance, repairs, or emergency support, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our expert team is here 24/7 to help you get back on the road quickly and safely. Contact us at (888) 587-3832 for reliable, professional support in the Las Vegas area. We’re here to keep you moving efficiently every mile of the way!