1. Develop a More Efficient Routing Plan If you run a delivery fleet or have vehicles that follow a set daily pattern, efficient routing offers an effective way for fleets to manage fuel expenses. Not only does a routing plan make trips more fuel-efficient, but it also increases time efficiency. Plan and consolidate trips to bypass congested routes and avoid stop-and-go traffic.
2. Get a Fleet Fuel Card
A fuel management program helps avoid unauthorized purchases by allowing control over exactly what drivers purchase. Limiting the type of fuel purchased is an easy way to control costs. A fuel card can restrict driver purchases to regular unleaded gasoline, prohibiting more expensive premium and super-unleaded grades of gasoline. 3. Clean Out the Trunk and Eliminate Unnecessary Weight
Cars, like cargo trucks, get much better mileage when they're not loaded with unnecessary weight. Every 200 lbs. of additional weight trims one mile off fuel efficiency. Most drivers accumulate material in their trunks, much of it non-required. Instruct drivers to remove all unnecessary items from the trunk, such as unneeded tools or materials. 4. Avoid Long Idling
The worst mileage a vehicle can get is 0 mpg, which occurs when it idles. Idling for long periods of time, whether at a railroad crossing or pulled off the road to make a cell phone call, consumes gas that could be saved by simply turning off the engine. Restarting an engine uses about the same amount of gas as idling for 30 seconds. When idling for longer than 30 seconds, shut off the engine.

Prolonged idling also creates excess emissions and wastes fuel. However, turning off the engine may disable vehicle functions including safety features such as airbags. Drivers should be certain to utilize this strategy only in situations where there is no possibility of collision. 5. Have Drivers Ensure Tires are Inflated Correctly
This is the cheapest and easiest way to control fuel expenses, and the one most often overlooked. If your drivers don't have a tire gauge, it is worth the expense to buy them one so they can ensure that tires are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended level. One underinflated tire can cut fuel economy by 2-percent per pound of pressure below the proper inflation level. One out of four drivers, on average, drive vehicles with one or more underinflated tires. When a tire is underinflated 4 to 5 psi below the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure, for example, vehicle fuel consumption increases by 10 percent and, over the long haul, will cause a 15-percent reduction in tire tread life. Check the vehicle's doorpost sticker for minimum tire inflation pressure. 6. Use Cruise Control During Highway Driving
Unnecessary changes in speed are wasteful. The use of cruise control helps improve fuel economy. 7. Don't Buy Premium Fuel
Use a high-quality fuel with the lowest appropriate octane rating. Check the owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendation. Using premium gas in a vehicle calibrated for regular provides no benefit.

Resist the urge to buy higher-octane gas for "premium" performance, unless the car requires it. Octane has nothing to do with gasoline performance; it merely indicates the volatility factor in the combustion chamber. Unless the owner's manual of your vehicle specifically requires it, don't use premium fuel. Most fleet vehicles are designed to run on unleaded regular and filling up with premium only increases cost, not performance. Fuel costs could be cut as much as 10 cents per gallon by using regular instead of premium fuel. 8. Drive the Posted Speed Limit
Driving at posted speed limits may save a life as well as fuel. According to EPA studies, gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. 9. Monitor Preventive Maintenance Schedules
Proper maintenance increases a vehicle's fuel economy. For example, keep wheels aligned. Wheels that fight each other waste fuel. Keep the air filter clean. A dirty filter clogs an engine's air supply, causing a higher fuel-to-air ratio and thereby increasing gasoline consumption. Replace the air filter as recommended. Always consult the owner's manual.

Use good-quality, energy-conserving (EC) oils with a viscosity grade consistent with the manual. Look for bottles marked with the symbol ECII, the American Society of Testing Materials logo for fuel-efficient oils. This will ensure the car's engine will operate at maximum efficiency, thus providing the best fuel economy. 10. Make Drivers Energy-Conscious
Similar to turning off the lights in unoccupied rooms at home, drivers should practice energy conservation habits in their vehicles as well. If a vehicle has a trip computer, encourage drivers to use the "instant fuel economy" display to refine driving habits. 11. Use A/C Sparingly
Use the air conditioner (A/C) only when needed. The air conditioner puts extra load on the engine, forcing more fuel to be used. An air conditioner is one of the biggest drains on engine power and fuel economy. It can reduce gas consumption by 5 to 20 percent, depending on the type of vehicle and the way it is driven. Don’t use it as a fan to simply circulate air. If it's just too hot to bear without A/C, keep it set around 72 degrees. Use the vent setting as much as possible. 12. Encourage Carpooling
Encourage drivers to carpool to work when they will be in the office all day for meetings or catching up with paperwork. 13. Make Your Vehicle More Aerodynamic
Wind drag is a key source of reduced fuel mileage, causing an engine to work harder, thereby reducing fuel economy. The faster a vehicle is pushed, the more air it must push out of the way. Even with all the talk about the aerodynamics of today's vehicles, some trucks, vans, and SUVs have the aerodynamics of a brick.

Another way to minimize wind drag is to keep the windows rolled up. This allows air to flow over the body, rather than drawing it inside the cabin and slowing down the vehicle. Wide-open windows, especially at highway speeds, increase aerodynamic drag, and the result is up to a 10-percent decrease in fuel economy. If you want fresh air, run the climate system on "outside air" and "vent" and crack the window for additional ventilation.

Lowering the tailgate of a pickup creates turbulence, causing wind drag, and a less fuel-efficient truck at highway speeds. By leaving the tailgate up, a smooth bubble of air is created in the bed. Air coming over the back of the truck passes over it, thus improving fuel efficiency. 14. When Feasible, Have Two Employees Per Vehicle
If you have several employees going from company offices to the same work location or job site, have them take one vehicle instead of driving separately. 15. Avoid 'Jackrabbit' Starts
A car consumes extra fuel when accelerating. To maximize fuel economy, drivers should examine their driving habits. Simply limiting quick acceleration and fast braking can increase fuel economy. When accelerating, pretend you have a fresh egg underneath your right foot. A light, steady pressure helps to minimize the amount of fuel consumed and maintain a more moderate and steady speed. 16. Purchase a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle
Purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles is a great way to save on gas. Many models are now available with mpg ratings of 30 and above. 17. Anticipate Traffic Flow
Anticipate traffic conditions and accelerate and decelerate smoothly —it's safer, uses less gas, and reduces brake wear. In stop-and-go commuter traffic, look two or more vehicles ahead. This step enables more gradual acceleration and deceleration. By anticipating a traffic light change, an upcoming stop sign, or the need to slow down for a curve, you can avoid or reduce brake use and save gasoline in the process. Like the "jackrabbit start," the "jackrabbit stop" is a major contributor to inefficient driving. 18. Avoid Aggressive Driving
The largest fuel waste occurs with aggressive driving. Time studies show that fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic, and accelerating to and from a stop light doesn't save much time, wastes fuel and wears out components such as brakes and tires faster. By not driving aggressively, drivers can save up to 20 percent in fuel economy, advises the EPA. 19. Avoid Uphill Speed Increases
Avoid trying to increase vehicle speed when traveling uphill. When climbing a hill, the engine is already working hard to overcome gravity. Pushing it harder is simply a waste of fuel. 20. Monitor Fuel Exception Reports
Identify drivers who purchase more gallons of fuel than their fuel tank capacity at a single refueling. This may indicate that a driver is fueling another vehicle or storing fuel in gas canisters for personal use. Monitor multiple refuelings during the weekend and too-frequent refueling that doesn't correspond with a vehicle's mpg..