How to Calculate Fuel Consumption: A Guide for Truck Drivers

“You get what you pay for” – This old saying holds true in many cases, especially when it comes to choosing a truck. Besides price and payload, fuel consumption is a major concern for truck drivers. Understanding how to calculate fuel consumption not only helps drivers operate more efficiently but also significantly saves costs. Let’s delve into the details with Hanoi Trucks!

What is Fuel Consumption?

Fuel consumption (L/100km) is the amount of fuel a vehicle consumes to travel 100 kilometers. This figure is influenced by several factors, such as:

• Vehicle Type and Engine: Heavy-duty diesel trucks generally have higher fuel consumption than light-duty gasoline trucks.
• Driving Style: Aggressive acceleration and braking lead to higher fuel consumption.
• Road Conditions: Rough roads, traffic congestion, and uphill driving consume more fuel compared to driving on flat, open roads.
• Payload: Carrying heavier loads naturally increases fuel consumption.

How to Calculate Fuel Consumption

There are two common methods to calculate fuel consumption:

1. Manual Calculation

• Step 1: Fill up the fuel tank and record the current mileage on the odometer.
• Step 2: After driving a certain distance (at least 100km), fill up the tank again and record the amount of fuel added.
• Step 3: Divide the liters of fuel added by the kilometers driven, then multiply by 100.

Example: Mr. Tuan, a seasoned truck driver in Cau Giay District, Hanoi, filled up the tank of his Hino truck. The odometer read 10,000km. After a trip around neighboring provinces, carrying a full load back to the warehouse on Le Van Luong Street, the odometer showed 10,300km, and he added 30 liters of fuel. The fuel consumption of the truck is: 30 liters / 300km x 100 = 10 liters/100km.

2. Using the Vehicle’s Built-in Feature (if available)

Many modern trucks are equipped with a feature that measures and displays fuel consumption on the dashboard.

Note:

• Actual fuel consumption may vary from the manufacturer’s specifications due to different operating conditions.
• Drivers should regularly monitor fuel consumption to detect any abnormalities and take timely action, avoiding fuel waste and ensuring economic efficiency.