By: Tony Anderson, Enterprise Fleet Management

As fleet owners and their drivers struggle with the continuous surges in gasoline costs and search for ways to reduce the environmental impact of their vehicles, Enterprise Fleet Management is offering Keys to “Green” Driving – useful tips that can be used to reduce fuel consumption and save money.

When it comes to improving fuel economy and reducing our impact on the environment, sometimes the simplest things can make a difference.  When multiplied by the number of vehicles in a company’s fleet, even saving just a few gallons of gasoline every week can add up to a substantial savings at the end of the year. Smarter driving and maintenance are two steps everyone can take.”

• Lighten your load.  The more weight a vehicle carries, the lower its fuel economy will be.  This is especially true for light duty trucks, which can feature the same space dimensions but vary significantly in gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), towing or payload capacity, and other options. In addition to getting poor mileage, if a vehicle is regularly overloaded, the frequency and cost of repairs for axle bearings, tires, brakes and other driveline and suspension components will end up costing a lot more than the money saved by purchasing the less expensive lighter truck. 

• Reduce speed and keep the RPMs down.  Smooth, steady acceleration from a stoplight or stop sign uses fuel more efficiently than quick “jack rabbit” starts.  Drivers also can increase fuel efficiency by shifting to higher gears at the lowest practical speed for standard transmission and accelerating gently with an automatic transmission. If vehicles are equipped with overdrive and/or cruise control, these should be used when appropriate.  Making sudden starts and stops, revving the engine and excessive idling also can significantly lower gas mileage. And, according to a United States government Web site, www.fueleconomy.gov, “each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas.”

• Keep tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance on the road, which decreases gas mileage and shortens tire life due to improper wear.   Since tire pressure changes with temperature, you should check and adjust pressure when the tire is cold and when the vehicle has been sitting for a couple of hours.  Because information printed on the tire’s sidewall may not be the optimum pressure for your vehicle or driving situation, the most accurate place to find out about proper tire pressure is on a label inside the driver’s door or in your vehicle’s owner manual.

• Check wheel alignment periodically.  Misalignment can be caused by hitting potholes, curbs and bumps, worn steering or suspension components and deterioration from aging of suspension parts.  Not only does misalignment increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel efficiency, it also causes additional wear and tear on tires.  Wheel alignment should be checked every 12,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

• Select the right oil for your engine.  Using the correct oil viscosity is important because higher-viscosity oils create greater resistance to the moving parts of the engine and require more gas.  Changing oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles not only is a good maintenance policy, but it also improves fuel efficiency.  Extended oil change intervals cause engine sludge, which also decreases efficiency and fuel mileage.

For more information about Enterprise’s industry-leading environmental stewardship initiatives, visit www.keystogreen.com.

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Tony Anderson is Area Sales Manager for Enterprise Fleet Management in Alabama and can be reached at 205-823-4599.  He is supported by an experienced team of veteran mechanics and accredited Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) technicians to serve the fleet maintenance needs of businesses with mid-size fleets.  In addition to maintenance management programs, Enterprise’s services include vehicle acquisition, fuel management and insurance programs, as well as vehicle registration, reporting and remarketing.  Visit the company’s web site at www.enterprisefleet.com or call toll free 1-877-23-FLEET.