Increase your profitability now

Even today, the driver is probably still the most important link in the chain when it comes to achieving the lowest possible fuel consumption. In all European countries, DAF is happy to support you in providing further training for your drivers. EcoDrive training courses permanently reduce fuel consumption by 3 to 5% on average.

In CF75, CF85 and XF105 vehicles, the speed is now limited to 85 km/hour as standard. If your speed limiter is still set at the higher level, you can have your maximum speed reduced from 89 km/hour to 85 km/hour. In long distance transport, this results in fuel savings of 2 to 3%, which means reduced costs and lower CO₂ emissions.

Tyre pressure

Tyre pressure should be checked once a month. If the tyre pressure is 20% too low across the entire vehicle, fuel consumption increases by 5%.

Axles

Axles must be properly aligned. Incorrect alignment can result in 18.5% higher fuel consumption.

Spoilers

The spoilers must be adjusted to create the lowest possible air resistance — this saves hundreds of litres of diesel a year. Tarpaulins must also be kept taut, as flapping tarpaulins result in higher fuel consumption and unnecessary noise.

Driving style recommendations for drivers

Drive consistently

Accelerating quickly uses fuel unnecessarily and rarely saves time. Don’t drive erratically, use cruise control whenever possible, and keep your distance from the vehicle in front. Look well in front of you and take your foot off the accelerator well in advance of braking, for example, at a traffic light or a turn off. Use the momentum of the vehicle. Anticipating traffic situations not only saves fuel, it steadies the traffic and causes less stress for you. And it saves brakes and tyre wear.

Stay in the green zone

Drive in the green zone of the rev counter, also when accelerating and driving up gradients. And when the engine is not being taxed very hard, thus when the accelerator is being used only lightly, stay at the bottem of the green zone. Always drive in the highest possible gear. And if you drive with an AS-Tronic, don’t keep revving up. On level roads, ease off the accelerator to let the gearbox change earlier, or change gear manually. And use the kick-down only when it’s absolutely necessary.

Avoid waste

Don’t accelerate unnecessarily and don’t leave the engine ticking over unnecessarily. Even a fuel-efficient PACCAR MX engine uses 1.4 litres of diesel fuel an hour just ticking over. Don’t use absolutely necessary. Because ultimately the electricity comes from the fuel. And turn off the airconditioning whenever possible. That saves hundreds of litres of fuel per annum.