Kendrick, Russell Jr.

4/2/2006

Addis, Rebecca

4/4/2006

Tiedt, Sabrina

4/4/2006

Devaugh, Robert

4/6/2006

Leonard, Harold

4/7/2006

Bomar, Allan

4/8/2006

Donahoo, Robert

4/8/2006

Jimenez, Felipe

4/10/2006

Cox, Larry

4/12/2006

King, John

4/12/2006

Webb, Phyllis

4/12/2006

Gwaltney, Wayne

4/14/2006

Leonard, Horace

4/14/2006

Marshall, James

4/15/2006

Jackson, Chris

4/18/2006

Taylor, Joseph

4/20/2006

Macias, Donald

4/21/2006

Calloway, Dave

4/23/2006

Gable, Gary

4/24/2006

Watson, Omar

4/25/2006

Ward, James Jr.

4/26/2006

Pressley, James

4/28/2006

Beardsley, Steve

4/15/2006

Butts, Jesse

4/30/2006

Caton, Daniel

4/16/2006

Clay, Robert

4/19/2006

Ennis, Harold

4/1/2006

Haynes, Veyon

4/6/2006

Unfortunately, high fuel costs are still the norm.  We have heard so much on this topic that is has become routine and accepted as a fact of every day trucking life.  However, we are not powerless when it comes to fuel consumption.  There are step that need to be taken in order to reduce the impact of fuel prices and every one plays a part in creating those savings.

Driving practices can have a large impact on truck fuel economy.  Even highly experienced drivers can enhance fuel economy using simple techniques.  Reducing or eliminating prolonged idle time can save up to 1,000 gallons of fuel per truck each year.  This alone can equate to a savings for our company of $950,000 annually at today’s fuel prices.

Smooth and gradual acceleration, progressive shifting (up shifting and the LOWEST rpm possible), reducing maximum freeway speeds, and controlled breaking are extremely important items to fuel savings.  Truck fuel economy drops significantly as speeds rise above 55mph.  By limiting top highway speeds, trucks can save fuel, reduce emissions, and prolong engine life.  For a typical long-haul truck, reducing highway driving speeds from 75 to 70mph could save nearly $1,500 in fuel costs annually, creating a company wide savings of $570,000 per year.

  Cruise control needs to be used in every possible instance.  Our trucks are outfitted with “Multi-Torque” engines.  This means they

could produce as much as 50 more horsepower and 50 more pounds of torque when cruise control is on and engaged.  More time in cruise means better performance, making better time, and better fuel usage.  That’s an all around win-win situation.

Out of route miles are another major source of pool fuel and time usage.  Reducing out of route miles by just one percent can save over 100 gallons of fuel per truck, per year.  Please review the article in last month’s newsletter concerning out of route miles.  This is extremely important and will be a major company focus.