Route drivers should ensure fuel economy

Rising fuel prices have added to the expenses of the vending business. In order to fill and maintain the machines on a large route, vending business owners hire route drivers to do the job. A lot of times route drivers misuse the official vehicle for their private use and hence this leads wastage of fuel. As a vending business owner you should take steps to avoid fuel wastage. Monitoring your average fuel economy is a good idea.

Maintenance of the vehicle is also very important, since a less maintained vehicle will not operate with greater efficiency. Fouled spark plugs or a clogged fuel filter will affect your fuel economy. Proper maintenance also means using the right octane gas and the recommended grade of motor oil. Under inflated tires require more energy to roll, which translates into more frequent fill-ups. You can improve your fuel economy by about 3.3 percent if you keep your tires inflated properly. Buy a tire-pressure gauge and check your tires monthly, adding air as necessary.

Another good idea for saving fuel costs is to convert from traditional fuel to alternative fuels for your Planet Antares vending operations. Propane is less expensive than either diesel or gasoline. A gallon of propane gas costs less than half the price of gasoline. Route drivers should drive the vehicle within the appropriate speed limit. Driving steadily and smoothly ensures less fuel wastage. Braking hard and speeding adds to the decreased fuel economy.

Avoiding lengthy engine idling also helps save fuel. An efficient route driver should turn the engine off, if they are delayed for more than a couple of minutes. Technology has long term solutions for fuel wastage. A vending business owner can invest in GPS (Global Positioning System) and improve operating efficiency and employee accountability. GPS can help you in the following ways:

• Vending business owners can track unauthorized vehicle use
• Increase driver productivity
• Reduce accidents
• See idling time
• Cut fuel bills
• Ensures drivers’ safety

A little planning can make a big difference in fuel economy. Hire alert, honest and educated drivers for your Planet Antares vending route.