In fact, says the American Trucking Associations (ATA), every time fuel prices jump ten cents a gallon, about 1,000 companies with five trucks or less go out of business.

Even if you didn't feel the icy chill of Chapter 11 blowing down your own collar at the fuel pumps this winter, statistics like that can give anybody the shivers.

It's no wonder some drivers are getting very serious about how they manage fuel consumption.

The good news is there are more fuel-conserving solutions available now than ever—and more help in implementing the programs that will work the best in your business. Two web sites that are especially useful are provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and by Natural Resources Canada.

Here are some tips gathered from these agencies as well as from other trucking experts to help you put more money in the bank and less in the tank.

IDLING
If you do nothing else, reduce the amount of time spent idling. According to EPA, this step alone can save up to 2,000 gallons of fuel a year. At $1.50 a gallon, that's a cost savings of $3,000.

Reduce idling after start-up to warm engines and cabs in cold weather. Natural Resources Canada reports real-world tests demonstrate that coolant temperatures rise more than twice as fast if you drive the vehicle (after the oil pressure and brake system air pressure are up) rather than idle it after starting.

Differential and transmission oils also warm up and so do tires if vehicles are driven rather than idled.

If you operate where it is just too cold to risk shutting down for extended periods, consider an engine block heater instead of idling.

Don't let the engine idle unnecessarily while waiting to load or unload. Also, turn the engine off when stopping for meal breaks. Natural Resources Canada says engine coolant will stay warm for the hour or so it takes to have a meal.

The agency also notes that you will get more cab heating or air conditioning sooner if you drive rather than idle while waiting for the cab to reach the desired temperature. Choose an alternative to engine idling to provide heating, air conditioning and power for auxiliary devices when parked for an extended period.

There are many good solutions available, from auxiliary heaters to auxiliary power units (APUs), to AC power provided at a growing number of truckstops and terminals, to engines with optimized idle control.

LUBRICANTS
Switch to synthetic, low-viscosity lubricants for the transmission and axles. And switch to synthetic engine oils.

EPA says the combined effect of low-viscosity synthetic engine oils and drivetrain lubricants can improve fuel economy by at least 3%—or about 500 gallons a year for a typical long-haul operation.

TIRES
Maintain proper tire pressure. Under-inflated tires waste fuel and increase tire wear. Install an automatic tire inflation system on the truck drive axle and trailer axles. This can reduce fuel consumption by at least 90 gallons a year, according to EPA, while extending tire life by about 10%.

If they are appropriate for your truck and your operation, consider switching to wide-base ("super single") tires to reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel economy.

LIGHTWEIGHT SPECS
If you're thinking about purchasing a new or used truck, look for or spec lightweight components when possible and appropriate.

Components such as cast aluminum alloy wheels and aluminum hubs, aluminum roof posts, aluminum fuel tanks and composite or aluminum bumpers can save thousands of pounds and hundreds of gallons of fuel.

Think about weight and drag before adding unnecessary "glamour" items to the outside of your truck. Some of those additional lights, horns, chromed tanks, toolboxes and other accessories may add shine and shimmer, but they also add weight and may increase aerodynamic drag.

AERODYNAMICS
If you are thinking about purchasing a new or used truck, consider choosing an aerodynamic model with features such as a sloped hood, roof fairings, cab extenders and side fairings.

EPA reports that aerodynamic models can reduce fuel consumption by at least 600 gallons a year over their less "slippery" counterparts.

Improve fuel efficiency by reducing the gap between the tractor and trailer, if you safely can, where turbulence creates drag. On flatbeds, secure loose tarps and arrange loads to be as low and smooth as possible.

DRIVING HABITS
Run the engine in its peak torque range. According to some experts, if you are pulling a hill at 1,800 rpm under load, you are probably using 18 to 19 gallons of fuel an hour no matter what gear the transmission is in. If you let the engine pull down to 1,200 to 1,300 rpm on that same hill, it can save a gallon or two an hour.

Start out in a gear that lets you release the clutch without applying power to the throttle. Pressing the throttle even a little uses fuel.

Use the minimum rpm, minimum power and the fewest shifts necessary when accelerating.

On the highway, speed costs money. The difference between driving 55 mph and 65 mph is about 3¢ per mile. Use cruise control when appropriate.

BE EFFICIENT
If you frequently find yourself adding out-of-route miles to check GVW at the nearest scales, consider an onboard weighing system.

If you operate on lanes where toll roads slow you down, consider purchasing electronic passes if they can save time spent waiting and idling at tollbooths.

If you travel on routes where PrePass or other drive-by weighing services are available, check to see whether they can help you reduce the time spent waiting and idling at weigh stations.

Empty miles burn fuel even though there is no revenue-generating freight in the trailer. If you aren't currently using freight-matching services, investigate some of the many services available to help reduce empty miles.

Optimized routing systems can also save fuel and time. If you often travel to unfamiliar locations, consider purchasing routing software to help make the best routing choices for every trip.

Be diligent about maintaining your vehicle to keep it working at peak efficiency. You do have mobile communications of some kind, right? Of course you do.

SHARE IDEAS
Finally, share your own ideas for saving fuel with other drivers. If you have suggestions that are not on this list, we would also like to hear about them. Please send them to: dcullen@primediabusiness.com.

Happy driving, and saving.