The Truth About Weather and Fuel Efficiency

Weather conditions, both hot and cold, have a direct impact on your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Cold air causes your engine’s systems to take longer to warm up, which in turn burns more fuel. While warmer weather is typically better for fuel efficiency, there are still a number of factors that could affect how much money your company has to spend on fuel.

With summer rapidly approaching, gas prices are set to rise. Here’s how warm weather impacts fuel efficiency, and why using a fleet fuel card is a great way to control fuel costs for your company vehicles.

Be Smart About Cooling Methods

Did you know that hot weather can actually increase fuel efficiency since your engine heats up quicker? The downside, however, is how to stay comfortable in the vehicle when temperatures rise. You have two options to stay cool, but they both negatively impact fuel efficiency: roll down the windows or run the AC.

Driving with the windows down creates drag, which causes your vehicle to use more energy to overcome the wind resistance. On a hot summer day, running the AC can impact fuel efficiency by more than 25%. Foregoing AC and keeping the windows up isn’t always a viable option, so it’s best to put the windows down when traveling at slower speeds and save AC for highway speeds. If you do use air conditioning, set it to the warmest level you can while still being comfortable.

Use a Sunshade

Parking in the shade or using a sunshade is a simple step to reduce the temperatures inside your vehicle. If you open your vehicle and are greeted by a wave of heat, it’s a good idea to drive with the windows down for a little while prior to turning on the AC. This lets the excess heat out, minimizing the work the AC has to do to cool the cabin of your vehicle.

Get a Tune-Up

Before temperatures rise, make sure the AC system has been checked and has the correct level of coolant in it. All of the fleet’s vehicles should receive a summer service check to make sure they’re in tune and running efficiently. Keeping tires at their correct pressure also helps with fuel efficiency. Tire pressure rises in response to temperature, so check them in the morning before you hit the road.

Save with Fuel Card Services

The Fuelz Fleet Fuel Card has the services needed to help you manage your fleet effectively, and is accepted nationwide. It offers per-gallon discounts, at-the-pump rebates, and online reports on your fleet’s fuel economy. No matter the season or temperatures, you can save up to 15% on fueling expenses with a fleet fuel card. Contact us or call us today at 855-GO-FUELZ to find out more about what we can do for your business.