Reduce your truck’s fuel consumption: 10 Simple Tips

Urban delivery trucks need to check their tires every month. Temperature influences pressure: a drop of 10°C reduces it by 0.1 bar. Regular filter maintenance completes this check.

Use a special truck pressure gauge for accurate measurement. Check pressure when cold, i.e. 2 hours after last trip. If hot, subtract 0.3 bar from the recommended value for optimum setting.

Under-inflation is expensive. 35% of trucks run on under-inflated tires, resulting in 14.5% higher fuel consumption. Rigorous maintenance reduces these costs and extends the life of Hino tires by 15%.

Use clean filters to optimize engine performance

Air, oil and fuel filters protect the Hino engine. A clogged air filter reduces oxygen intake, increasing fuel consumption by 10-25%. Original Hino parts offer better filtration thanks to finer pleats.

A clogged air filter forces the engine to pump harder, increasing fuel consumption by 10-25%. Black smoke, sluggish acceleration or an engine light signal a clogged filter.

Change the air filter every 2 to 4 years or 40,000 to 60,000 km. A dusty environment requires more frequent replacement. Genuine Hino parts are more resistant to wear thanks to optimized filter material.

Here are the signs that a filter needs changing on a Hino truck:

• Dirty air filter indicator on dashboard
• Decreased engine power or difficulty accelerating
• Abnormally high fuel consumption
• Fuel filter warning light

These symptoms affect system efficiency and require prompt maintenance to avoid increased costs.

Optimize truck loading to reduce fuel consumption

Each additional tonne increases fuel consumption by 5 to 10%. A 40-tonne Hino truck consumes 30 to 40 L/100 km. Tire rolling resistance, influenced by load, accounts for 30% of consumption. Reducing unnecessary weight optimizes fuel efficiency.

Even weight distribution avoids overloading an axle. Use an axle load calculator to position goods. Balanced weight distribution improves stability and protects the Allison transmission by reducing mechanical stress.

A high fill rate reduces average fuel consumption by 0.7% for every 1% of load removed. Prioritize full loads to avoid multiple trips. Hino models with Allison transmission benefit from an optimal balance between transported volume and economy.

In Montérégie and Laval, use software like Route4Me to organize deliveries. Avoid congested highways like Highway 20 during rush hour. Use alternative routes to reduce frequent stops and fuel consumption.

Intelligent route planning

The choice of route influences the fuel consumption of a Hino truck. A flat but longer route may be more economical than a short one with hills, depending on the load carried. Use Google Maps or ViaMichelin for accurate estimates and real savings.

Tools such as Route4Me or AMCS Fleet Planner optimize routes in real time. They integrate traffic, weather and delivery constraints. Use these tools to reduce fuel costs and improve tour efficiency in the Montérégie region.

To avoid traffic jams in Montreal, adapt your schedule: prefer off-peak times (7am-9am and 3:30pm-6pm). Use Waze or Google Maps to bypass congested areas. In the Montérégie region, take alternative routes via less congested regional roads.

Organize your deliveries by grouping nearby destinations. Use optimization software to calculate the shortest route. This method reduces mileage by 15-30%, improves profitability and limits the average fuel consumption of Hino models.

Limit the use of air conditioning

Air conditioning on a Hino truck increases fuel consumption by 5 to 25%, depending on conditions. In the city, this figure rises to 0.7 liters per 100 km. Moderate use reduces costs and extends system life.

Prefer a temperature between 22 and 24°C to avoid temperature differences. Excessive cooling forces the compressor to work harder, increasing consumption. A difference of 5°C from the outside temperature is sufficient for optimum comfort.

Use 12V/24V fans or reflective sunshades to prevent overheating. Ventilation grilles and portable air conditioners offer economical alternatives. These solutions limit air-conditioning use and conserve fuel.

Clean cabin filters every 15,000 km or annually. Replace if clogged. Recharging the system every 2 to 3 years ensures optimum efficiency without unnecessary over-consumption.

Regular engine maintenance

Preventive maintenance optimizes the Hino engine. Frequent servicing reduces fuel consumption by 10-15%. Critical points include replacement of air filters, oil changes and brake inspections to avoid over-consumption due to mechanical friction.

Hino Canada recommends servicing every 5,000 km or 6 months. Models like the Hino 338 require annual inspection of the Allison transmission. Intervals vary according to the load carried and weather conditions in the Montérégie region.

Use 5W30 oil for city and highway driving. Engines with DPFS benefit from an adapted viscosity. 10W40 or 15W40 oils are suitable for older Hino models with high mileage for optimum lubrication.

Specialized centers like Groupe National Hino Rive-Sud in Boucherville offer 24/7 service. Their certified team uses original parts to preserve the reliability of Hino trucks. Extended hours (6 a.m. to midnight) facilitate emergency interventions.

Keeping an eye on fuel consumption

To measure the fuel consumption of a Hino truck, divide the liters of fuel by the kilometers driven and multiply by 100. For example: 45.5 L for 687 km = 6.62 L/100 km. Software such as Winflotte and Geotab track expenses and optimize fleet management in the Montérégie region.

An increase in fuel consumption may indicate under-inflated tires, clogged filters or aggressive driving. In winter, heating and cold starts increase consumption by 5-10%. Keeping an eye on these variations avoids unnecessary costs.

Set realistic targets: eco-driving reduces fuel consumption by 10-20%. With Hino’s SCR technology, you can expect savings of 3 to 5%. Start with small adjustments and adapt your habits according to the results.

Train your drivers in eco-driving and motivate them with bonuses. Use tools like SafetyCulture to monitor their performance. A committed team optimizes average fuel consumption and reduces costs for a fleet of Hino trucks.

Use alternative fuels or additives

Hino trucks accept manufacturer-approved B20 biodiesel. In Quebec, B2, B5 and B20 concentrations are blended with petrodiesel. A C$875 million plant under construction in Varennes, supported by Shell and Suncor, will boost the local biofuel industry.

Silub or Gasoil for Diesel Engine additives reduce fuel consumption by 3.10% according to UTAC. By cleaning the injectors, they improve combustion and extend the life of the Hino engine. UTAC tests confirm their effectiveness on models 195 and 300.

Premium fuels like Total Excellium contain detergent additives. Although 10 centimes more expensive per liter, they reduce engine fouling by 93% and improve fuel efficiency. Compatible with all Hino engines, including older models.

Hino is developing electric trucks like the Tern RC8 (320 km range) and is working with Toyota on hydrogen. Hybrid models already reduce fuel consumption by 20%. Contact Quebec dealers for information on local availability.

Comparison

It’s not easy to find your way around all these fuel-saving methods for your Hino truck. For long distances, prioritize eco-driving and optimal aerodynamics. Reduce drag by limiting truck accessories and maintaining a constant speed. Maximum truck filling is recommended for high-speed journeys. Professional drivers also take advantage of counter-flow to limit empty mileage. The most cost-effective techniques remain fuel-efficient driving and regular maintenance. Optimum tire pressure reduces fuel consumption by 3.3%. Fleet management systems help to monitor consumption in real time. For a minimal investment, opt for eco-driving (up to 20% savings) and speed reduction on freeways (-10 km/h = 3.5 to 4.5 L saved). Freelancers and large fleets alike benefit from these easy-to-implement tips. Integrating Hino vehicles into your fleet offers economic benefits thanks to their reliability and efficient engines.

Flexible driving, tire pressure monitoring and route planning in the Montérégie and Laval regions all add up to efficiency without sacrificing safety. Start right now with a simple check of your filters and Hino engine: every liter saved reduces your costs and boosts your profitability. The kind of reflexes that make managing a Hino truck child’s play, mile after mile.

Frequently asked questions about how to reduce your truck’s fuel consumption