MPG

It’s still an oddball spec in road tractors and you’re not likely to consider it, but the 6x2 – a single drive axle with two powered wheels among six total wheel positions – will someday become more common as truck operators look for ways to save fuel and cut tare weight, suppliers think. Today, progressive fleets are testing or embracing it, and it might even be a good choice for some owner-operators.

Goodyear's G399A LHS Fuel Max, the G572A LHD Fuel Max, and the G392A SSD with DuraSeal + Fuel Max wide-base tire have been improved to help deliver reduced rolling resistance for better fuel efficiency, as well as long miles to removal.

Truck drivers can now drive the entire length of U.S. Interstate 5 between Seattle and San Diego and parallel State Route 99 in California and get restful sleep without idling the truck engine, running down batteries or firing up an APU.

Poor fuel mileage can be a make-or-break proposition for owner-operators, and a lot of whether you get 6 mpg or 8 mpg depends on your skills and habits as a driver. Two drivers on two identical trucks can see a difference of up to 30% in fuel economy. Much of that chasm stems from good or bad pedal and stick management, and the driver's willingness to use available technology to his best advantage.

Freight Wing has announced a new trailer side skirt, the AeroFlex Composite, which has been SAE/TMC tested to improve fuel economy by up to 7.45%. The skirts are SmartWay-verified.

When you are getting ready to put a dry van trailer out to pasture and begin the process of searching for its replacement, there are many things to consider: maintenance costs, fuel-economy regulations, payload and the weight of the trailer, to name a few. One way to navigate through the maze of options is to follow some tips a few trailer manufacturers shared with us.

As part of its carbon offset program, Chevrolet is supporting IdleAir, a project to help long-haul truckers avoid idling during rest breaks at truckstops.

By January of 2016, you'll see a new API diesel engine oil classification, designed to help meet federal greenhouse gas/fuel economy standards. In fact, you may, for the first time, see two separate categories

Think about how much more energy it takes you to walk on a sandy beach than on a firm floor. That's essentially what's happening when cars and trucks drive on asphalt roads, say researchers, and if those roads could be made stiffer, the nation could save a lot of fuel and greenhouse gas emissions.