Page 87 - Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual

driving commercial vehicles

Choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle

Equipment and options can make a big difference in fuel consumption.

Consider some of these equipment options.

Choose the right truck
Choosing the right truck for the job and ordering it with the proper options
and specifications can save on fuel and overall operating costs.

Using a truck designed for long-distance highway transportation for city
transport costs more than using a truck designed and geared for city use.
If two trucks can each carry the same payload, purchasing the lighter one
results in better fuel economy and reduced operating costs.

Look for aerodynamic features
At between 90 and 100 km/h, about 50 per cent of the fuel consumed is used
to overcome air resistance. Aerodynamic design features have a significant
effect on how much fuel is consumed, particularly at highway speeds.

Integrated roof fairing
Slanted windshield, and deflector, hidden
recessed door exhaust stacks, fuel
hinges tank side fairings
Sloped hood with
underhood air
cleaners
Rounded fenders and
bumpers with aero
headlights and
rounded body corners

Streamlining features and
accessories significantly Trailer gap reducer,
trailer side skirts and
improves fuel efficiency. rear air dam

Some of the aerodynamic design features available on new trucks include:

• sloped hood with underhood air cleaners
• rounded bumpers
• rounded fenders with aero headlights and rounded body corners
• slanted and/or rounded windshield

• recessed door hinges and handles and low-profile side mirrors
• integrated roof fairings and deflectors, fuel tank side fairings
• hidden exhaust stacks
• trailer gap reducers.

Trailer aerodynamic features include side skirts and rear air dams. These
aerodynamic features can improve fuel economy by 15 to 20 per cent. Many
of these features can be added to older trucks and trailers.

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