The cost of fuel is one of the biggest ongoing expenses for all petrol and diesel vehicle owners. This is especially the case in recent times, with the considerable rise in fuel prices. The cost of fuel alone means that your van isn’t going as far as it used to, for the money. This is only exacerbated by a vehicle that’s not fuel-efficient.
Whether you’ve noticed a gradual decline in fuel economy or a sudden drop, you must know why you’re not getting as many miles for your buck. In this article, we’re going to explain some possible reasons why your van is using too much fuel, together with a solution for getting it fixed.
Poor driving habits
Despite common belief, the way in which the van is driven makes a huge difference to its fuel economy. Habits like aggressive acceleration, frequent braking and the constant need to travel at high speeds all have an impact on the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. This is largely down to increased aerodynamic drag and stop-start driving styles.
Remaining at a consistent speed can often reduce the amount of braking needed. Also, sticking to speed limits rather than resorting to considerable speeds can reduce aerodynamic drag considerably. This is especially the case with regard to larger vans. Other small changes, such as shifting gears earlier, can also noticeably improve fuel efficiency.
Excessive weight & overloading
Vans are often used in commercial settings, carrying heavy tools, equipment, cargo and even as many as three people in the cabin. However, extra weight and overloading can negatively impact fuel usage. The heavier the load is, the harder the engine has to work. This can reduce fuel efficiency considerably, and it becomes even more noticeable the more miles you have to travel. Other factors, such as ladders and roof racks, can also increase drag and negatively impact fuel economy, even if the van itself is empty. Something you can do to reduce this is to remove any unnecessary items from the back of the van and take off external fittings that aren’t being used.
Low tyre pressure
Tyres that fall below the recommended pressure create something called ‘rolling resistance’. This forces the engine to work harder as it has to aid in pulling the vehicle along the road, as opposed to relying on the tyres to do the job they’re supposed to do. This only increases fuel consumption.
According to one source, having underinflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by 2%. The only way to maintain or increase fuel economy is to make sure that the tyre pressure is adequate. The pressure the tyres need to be will depend on the vehicle size and type, so always check the user’s manual to find those unique tyre pressures and maintain them.
Engine & general maintenance issues
An engine that is poorly maintained can be a common reason for excessive fuel consumption in vans. Things like old engine oil, dirty air filters and even worn spark plugs can reduce fuel efficiency considerably. A great place to start is to regularly have your van serviced by competent professionals, such as us here at VanServ.
We can perform oil changes, filter changes and check spark plugs for wear and/or damage during one of our van services. This will help you to keep on top of things. Not only does it increase fuel economy, but it also makes the van safer for you to drive. Increase the fuel efficiency of your van today with routine van servicing from VanServ today.
Weather & driving conditions
It might not seem like it, but where and when you drive your van will impact fuel efficiency, either negatively or positively. City driving, cold weather and even relatively short journeys can cause fuel efficiency to suffer considerably. City driving is bad for fuel efficiency as it requires constant stop-start driving styles. Cold weather means that the engine will take longer to reach optimal efficiency, and short journeys prevent the engine from warming up adequately, therefore leading to higher fuel consumption.
Inadequate fuel quality
Driving with low-quality fuel or pumping the vehicle with the incorrect fuel can reduce fuel efficiency considerably. It impacts the rate of combustion, meaning that more fuel is needed to keep the van running.
Diesel vans in particular are sensitive to the quality of fuel it receives. Make sure that you’re only using reputable fuel stations to make sure that the fuel you’re paying for and pumping into your vehicle is of the best possible quality.
Consistent use of air conditioning
Constantly running the air conditioning, especially at high speeds, can reduce fuel efficiency. This is the same if you’re running a number of other electrical systems. This only places additional load on the engine, therefore increasing fuel usage, especially while driving through towns and cities where stop-start traffic is more likely. The effect of this is usually small, but it does become more noticeable over time. Use your air conditioning when necessary and place it at a steady speed. Also, avoid running multiple electrical systems simultaneously if you want to increase the fuel efficiency of your van.
Age of vehicle & wear
As the van ages, the more wear and tear the engine components will experience. The more that deteriorates, the less fuel efficiency you’ll receive. Even with regular, thorough maintenance, older vans may not be able to match their original fuel economy or the fuel efficiency of newer, more state-of-the-art vans. If you have tried everything to increase the fuel efficiency of your van, with no sign of improvement, then it may signal the need for a new model.
VanServ’s team of experienced and fully qualified specialists offers professional van maintenance services you can rely on. Our expertise spans a wide range of solutions, including van servicing, air conditioning repairs, key cutting, suspension work, engine and clutch repairs, remapping, gearbox repairs and more. If you’d like to find out how we can help keep your van – and its turbo – running at its best, get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team today – we’re always happy to help.