Tips for Optimizing Your Diesel Fuel Economy

Tips for Optimizing Your Diesel Fuel Economy

If you’re tired of spending too much time at the gas station, there’s good news—cutting down on those frequent trips and the cost of diesel fuel is easier than you’d think.

Today’s engines are better than ever before. They’re designed for astounding fuel economy, emissions ratings, and performance; however, like all engines, your diesel engine will wear down over time. Maintaining your engine is the key to improved performance and fuel mileage.

These tips for optimizing your diesel fuel economy will help you improve your engine’s efficiency.

Change Your Habits

One of the easiest ways to improve diesel fuel economy is by making small alterations to your driving habits. Driving at high speeds, revving the engine, punching the throttle, and excessive idling are all actions that contribute to a lowered fuel economy. The next time you’re on the road, make sure to:

  • Turn your engine off when you’re not using it
  • Use shore power
  • Avoid revving the engine
  • Use your air conditioner sparingly
  • Anticipate upcoming traffic lights
  • Maintain an extended following distance
  • Lower your average highway speed
  • Avoid punching the throttle
  • Utilize your cruise control
  • Use truck stops at the top of hills
  • Avoid needless acceleration

By driving less aggressively, you can dramatically improve your vehicle’s performance and overall fuel economy.

Maintain Your Injectors

The fuel injectors ensure the engine receives an adequate amount of fuel. It delivers the fuel as a fine mist, which it injects into the cylinders. The finer and more controlled the spray, the better your fuel economy will be.

To keep your injectors functioning at peak performance, consider adding a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to your fuel during your next fill-up. For a more thorough cleaning, search for a car wash or other facility that provides fuel injector cleaning services.

If your injectors still aren’t working for you, it might be time to replace them. Aftermarket diesel fuel injectors aren’t just cheaper; they’re just as good as, if not better than, OEM parts.

Replace Your Air Filter

Another tip for optimizing your diesel fuel economy is to regularly replace the air filter. Over time, your vehicle’s air filter clogs up with dirt, debris, and other contaminants. This restricts airflow to the engine.

Your engine relies on air combustion to utilize the fuel that’s injected into the motor. If the airflow is restricted, your engine will start running “rich,” or with too much gas. This can result in higher fuel consumption and dirtier emissions.

To keep your airflow from getting clogged, make sure to inspect and replace it at the appropriate maintenance intervals. For a diesel engine, it’s best to change your air filter every 30,000 miles or every three years.