If you live in an area where winters get bitterly cold, like in some areas of Colorado, managing your fuel during this season is important. Like other liquids, fuels will condense when they get too cold. This means that if you do not store gas or diesel properly, you could end up seeing a 1% change in volume when temps change by 19°F. For those who manage fleets, fuel efficiency and retention are vital.
How to stop fuel losses from cold temperatures
There are many ways that experts are trying to stop fuel losses before they affect fleet managers and others. Fleet managers and even truck drivers can also help with efficiency by managing resources better.
Fuel blends
One way this is done is by creating different blends, specifically for summer and winter. State regulations make it difficult to match up fuel blends. So, the fuels you find in Colorado during winter will be different than that in Texas or New York. If you manage a fleet, it is best to understand your state regulations, available blends, and any pricing factors that may affect you. A supplier can help you understand what types of gasoline or diesel you may need and what can be found in your area.
What employees can do
Truck drivers and employees can do a few things to help conserve fuel. If your Colorado fleet is losing gas or diesel because of winter temperatures, this can help save money.
- First, do not idle trucks to warm the engine. The engine will actually warm up better by driving the truck around and you will waste less fuel.
- Next, be sure to drain the fuel-water separators and air-tanks, everyday if necessary. When temps fall, water can condense in the fuel tanks.
- Drivers should know the factors that will affect efficiency, like tire pressure and bad filters.
Fleet managers can help save fuel too
Fleet managers should already be prepared to handle day-to-day operations. Knowing where your fuel comes from, how it is maintained, and how much is being used are a just a few normal tasks. But, there are some other things you can do during freezing Colorado winters.
- Be sure that all personnel are trained to understand how fuel behaves in winter.
- You should also track how your drivers use fuel to understand where they may need to improve efficiency.
- Vehicle maintenance is vital to increasing efficiency as well. Make sure that all trucks are properly maintained and that your drivers are helping where they need to.
- Storing gas and diesel the right way can be just as important as managing how it is used. All storage tanks should be temperature controlled and well-maintained.
- Check that your fuel supplier has the same technology for their delivery tankers.
Do you need help managing your gas or diesel this winter?
If you would like to speak with an expert about managing your Colorado fleet’s fuel, Kendrick Oil can help. We offer high-quality Products and Services in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Give us a call at (800) 299-3991 or Send Us an email to learn more.
