As the price of diesel fluctuates, so, it seems, does fleet and driver interest in large truck fuel economy. At least we seem to have passed the “fad” stage, where there were so many “magic pill” or “snake oil remedies” to save fuel. Today, fleets seem to be looking for a comprehensive approach to fuel economy, and fortunately, there are new resources available to help. We’ll look at some of these here.

Are there new ways to save fuel?
The principles of fuel economy haven’t really changed. Physics and mechanics still dictate that you can only save fuel by improving efficiency. So there really aren’t any new ways. But in our view, there are lots of old ways that are underutilized.

Such as?
Getting the best fuel economy out of your vehicles is going to be the result, not of doing just one thing, but of doing many things, some of them small, but doing them well. You can start by taking a look at your whole operation, and seeing where each part of it can make a contribution to your fuel economy picture.

How would we do that?
We’d suggest you begin by improving your knowledge of fuel economy. We highly recommend the TMC publication, The Fleet Manager’s Guide To Fuel Economy. [Available from The Maintenance Council, (703) 838-1763.]

It’s a comprehensive review of how dozens of different truck components affect fuel economy, the effect of vehicle operation, and fuel economy testing.

Is there a single biggest factor?
As in the past, TMC confirms that driver skill and attitude probably contribute more to fuel efficiency than any other single factor. In fact, TMC’s guide even includes some recommendations for setting up fuel efficiency incentive and bonus programs for drivers.

Is there new information available about tires?
There certainly is. We’ve completely revised and updated our classic publication on tire effects on fuel economy. The new guide, nearly twice the size of the previous one, is the Guide To Large Truck Fuel Economy For A New Millennium. It’s available from your Bridgestone representative.

How is the Bridgestone guide different from TMC’s?
While the TMC guide covers practically everything that can affect fuel efficiency, the Bridgestone guide focuses on tire-related issues, going into a lot of depth – about tread pattern effects, axle position effects, and, of course, the effect of fuel-efficient tires – among other topics. The idea was to supplement the information in the TMC guide, and to provide a real reference you can use in evaluating and improving tire-related fuel economy.

Sounds like it would be good to have both.
We agree. In fact, when we created the index to the Bridgestone guide, we added cross-references to TMC’s book. So, if you have ours, you’ve got an index to both publications. And, in the table of contents, we’ve indicated, with different symbols, topics that might be of interest to your management, purchasing and maintenance departments, as well as information useful in driver education.

Are there special materials available for driver training?
Yes. Recently, we completed a 9-minute video, What Drivers Can Do To Save Fuel, which is also available through your Bridgestone representative.
It’s hosted by professional driver and owner/operator, Jim Booth, who also happens to be Caterpillar’s resident expert on driving for fuel economy. [We interviewed Jim in a previous issue of Real Answers, Volume 3, Issue 2. If you don’t have a copy, you’ll find it on our website, www.trucktires.com]

In what way?
As Jim points out from his own experience, a little pre-planning and better time management can eliminate the need to speed. He also makes a number of practical suggestions drivers can use to save time and make better use of time, to allow them to reduce their speed. And, he points out that lower speeds can mean less fatigue, less frustration, less stress – without sacrificing on-time delivery. So, Jim Booth’s approach is to show drivers what’s in it for them when they conserve fuel – and how being fuel efficient is the mark of a true professional.

How can we use this video?
One great way is to show it at driver meetings, then get drivers to talk about their experiences on the road, teaching each other techniques they’ve found to spend more time being productive.
And, remind drivers that speeding, besides being wasteful and dangerous, can result in tickets that come out of their pockets and go on to their records.

Is there an easy way to get all these materials?
As a matter of fact, there is, through the Bridgestone Longer Mileage Program. We created this program several years ago, to provide educational materials you could use to increase the life of your tires, and thereby, reduce your cost per mile.
There now are three separate program kits. “Basic” emphasizes the benefits of effective tire maintenance. “Intermediate” provides tools you can use to measure, analyze and improve tire performance. And new this year, the “Advanced” kit focuses on how you can reduce cost per mile by improving fuel economy and safety.
The Advanced kit contains a copy of the TMC guide (a $40.00 value in itself), together with the Bridgestone guide and video, and a publication from Commercial Carrier Journal, “Preventable Or Not,” an

If you have a fuel efficiency incentive program in place, drivers may not realize that by not checking tire inflation pressures, they are shortchanging themselves, because incorrect inflation wastes fuel too.
This video also comes with a short quiz, which drivers can use to see how much they’ve learned. It’s even available as a CD-ROM, containing the complete video, along with an interactive quiz that allows you to go back and review material as you answer each question. [Other Bridgestone videos are available too. See the “TECHNICALLY Speaking” story beginning on page 18.]

easy-to-read, easy-to-use handbook containing accounts of actual truck-related accidents, their causes and ways of avoiding them. The Longer Mileage Program is another Bridgestone “real answer,” to help you improve your bottom line. If you’re not currently enrolled in the program, contact your Bridgestone representative.