Running a fleet of service trucks or vans is expensive. Fuel is often the biggest cost after payroll. Therefore, smart managers look for easy ways to save money every day. These small savings can add up to thousands of dollars by the end of the year. We will focus on two simple areas: tire pressure and vehicle weight. Making small changes here is vital for your construction, landscaping, or plumbing business.

Conquer Underinflation and Save Big

Do you know the right pressure for your truck’s tires? Many drivers just check the PSI stamped on the tire wall, but that is wrong. Instead, you must use the pressure listed on the placard inside the driver’s side door jamb. Low tire pressure is a silent killer of fuel economy. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that keeping your tires properly inflated can save you up to 11 cents per gallon on fuel. Furthermore, proper inflation can extend the life of a tire by thousands of miles. This saves you money on both fuel and replacement tires. Consequently, you should make checking pressure a daily habit for your crew. You can learn more about the importance of tire maintenance from the NHTSA Tire Safety page.

Drop the Dead Weight

Look inside your work truck right now. Does it carry unnecessary items? Every extra pound your vehicle hauls around costs you money at the fuel pump. Therefore, think about the weight of extra tools, old materials, or forgotten cargo. Light-duty trucks burn more fuel when they carry heavy loads. Also, items stored on roof racks increase wind resistance, which makes the engine work even harder. This means you should remove things like unused snow chains or extra supply boxes if they are not needed for the day’s jobs. Moreover, always make sure your trucks are “right-sized” for the job. Do not send a heavy-duty pickup to deliver small parts when a delivery van will do. Using the correct vehicle helps your entire fleet operate efficiently, a goal supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) when planning fleet operations.

Simple Fleet Action Plan

You can easily turn these tips into daily action for your fleet. First, buy high-quality, reliable tire gauges for every driver. Ask your crews to check their tire pressure weekly. Second, install a simple checklist in the cab of each vehicle. This list should remind drivers to inflate tires and remove non-essential items before they start the week. Finally, check your truck inventory once a month. Getting rid of a few hundred pounds of unnecessary tools from a few trucks adds up quickly. This proactive approach saves fuel, reduces maintenance costs, and improves safety for your team.

Also read: Winter-Proof Your Fleet to Avoid Expensive Cold Breakdowns