How to Increase Fuel Efficiency During the Cold Winter Months

How to Increase Fuel Efficiency During the Cold Winter Months - Your vehicle's fuel efficiency can be negatively impacted by outdoor temperatures. While there’s nothing you can do about the cold temps of winter, there are a few things you can do to increase fuel efficiency and save money. Check out these tips. Keep an Eye on Tire Pressure In order to achieve maximum fuel economy for your vehicle, you should regularly check the tire pressure. Tire pressure tends to change with falling temperatures, which can lead to lower fuel efficiency. When you see that the pressure has fallen, inflate the tires to the recommend psi. Park Indoors Parking in a garage will not only ensure you avoid direct exposure to the weather, it will positively impact fuel efficiency. If you keep your vehicles outside in winter, your fuel gets thicker and it will need more energy to lubricate the engine. Also, by parking your garage indoors, the interior of the vehicle stays warmer, which means you don’t have to defrost your vehicle and waste fuel. Don't Warm Up Your Vehicle You may assume that you have to warm up your vehicle for a while before driving it. But [...]

How to Increase Fuel Efficiency During the Cold Winter Months2023-02-15T10:53:47-05:00

Inspection Basics: Pre and Post Trip

Inspection Basics: Pre and Post Trip - Pre- and post-trip inspections are critical in keeping your assets on the road, not to mention to avoid violations and fines as part of roadside inspections. Plus, they are mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These inspections should be performed by your drivers before heading out each day as well as when they return. Particularly if your fleet has older assets, pre- and post-trip inspections are even more important. Checklist In order to cover key areas of your truck, the FMSA has a checklist all drivers can abide by. First, drivers should check the truck’s general condition, being on the lookout for obvious issues and noting them. They should report them on the Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) so that repairs and corrections can be made. Drivers should also check fluid levels, including coolant, engine, and transmission. Take a look at the condition of hoses, belts, wires, batteries, and electrical connections, paying particular attention to slipping belts, loose connections, fraying hoses, and wear and tear. Trailers should be inspected as well to look for signs of improper maintenance, such as insecure air lines, missing mud flaps, and inoperable lights. [...]

Inspection Basics: Pre and Post Trip2024-09-09T04:30:40-05:00

Top 5 Reasons to Use a Diesel Generator

Top 5 Reasons to Use a Diesel Generator - Gasoline and diesel are the two most common options when it comes to generator fuel. Both are readily available and dependable, while generating low emissions and providing on-demand power. But there are a few differences between gasoline and diesel generators, which makes them ideal for different applications. Whether you are looking at purchasing a prime or standby generator, let’s go over the top reasons why you should use a diesel generator. 1.      Fuel Consumption Diesel generators happen to be more efficient than gasoline generators, due mostly to the fact that they don't burn as much fuel in order to produce power. Plus, they have a high compression rate. If you’re looking for cost-efficiency and to boost your bottom line as a business owner, diesel is the way to go. 2.      Safety Diesel is not as flammable as gasoline, making it the safer option. Because it’s less explosive and has a low risk of accidental ignition, a diesel generator is a good option for businesses that handle chemicals and combustible products. If you plan on storing your generator in an area featuring many heat sources, consider that diesel fuel has a [...]

Top 5 Reasons to Use a Diesel Generator2022-12-16T08:13:29-05:00

Top 3 Tips for Storing Fuel Over the Winter

Top 3 Tips for Storing Fuel Over the Winter - With the weather in the Northeast getting colder and colder as we progress through November, you’re likely thinking long and hard about how you will keep your home warm till spring – especially in light of rising fuel prices. If you are faced with the need to store fuel at your house, it’s important to preserve it properly so it doesn’t spoil or freeze. Download our Fuels & Fluids Winter Guide - click here Keep these three factors in mind before you decide to store fuel for the winter. 1. Consider Container and Tank Material First you have to think about the type of tank or container you will need. If you’re new at the fuel storage thing, you have two options: metal or plastic. Metal containers are more durable and can withstand higher temperatures than their plastic counterparts. In addition, metal won’t warp or deform over time, so it’s better for long-term storage. That said, metal containers are more expensive than plastic. They also conduct heat, which means they’re dangerous to handle if they aren’t properly insulated. Metal containers may rust or corrode with exposure to untreated fuel. [...]

Top 3 Tips for Storing Fuel Over the Winter2026-06-04T14:40:13-05:00

Commercial Vehicles Exposed to Floodwaters: Inspection and Reconditioning Tips

Commercial Vehicles Exposed to Floodwaters: Inspection and Reconditioning Tips - Now that Hurricane Ian has just swept through Florida, it’s a good time to review best practices for commercial vehicles that have been exposed to floodwaters. Inspection and reconditioning of truck safety components are important. Massive relief and rebuilding efforts are necessary in floods, which are extremely reliant on the trucking industry – not to mention thousands of truck drivers. When your commercial vehicles are exposed to floodwaters, Taylor Oil wants to take this time to offer fleets and drivers some technical advice on how to inspect and recondition air brake, wheel-end, and other safety components that were submerged, either partially or completely. Salt Water Damage If the submersion occurred in salt water, the parts replacement process will have to begin immediately due to the chances of corrosion. This can take away necessary lubrication and put parts at a higher risk for premature malfunction. If you have a brake system valve that was submerged in salt water, you will have to replace it. At the same time, you should also replace air compressors, air reservoirs, anti-lock brake system (ABS) relays, modulators, and brake actuators. Saltwater corrosion increases the risk [...]

Commercial Vehicles Exposed to Floodwaters: Inspection and Reconditioning Tips2022-10-14T15:53:44-05:00

Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage: Onsite Storage Tips

Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage: Onsite Storage Tips - Changes in emission standards back in 2010 specifies that truck manufacturers must include selective catalytic reduction systems in their diesel-powered vehicles. As such, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is a key component of those systems. An onsite supply of DEF ensures your fleet of trucks can always access the fuel it needs to run efficiently. Going along with that, it’s important to maintain proper storage conditions in order to preserve the integrity and shelf life of your onsite DEF supply over time. Here are some storage tips: 1.      Maintain the Right Temperature Temperature control has a big impact on DEF shelf life. It’s recommended that you store DEF between 12 degrees Fahrenheit and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything outside this range may compromise quality. Low temperatures can make DEF freeze, and then you won’t be able to use it till it thaws. High temperatures will form ammonia in the DEF, which reduces quality and negatively affects truck performance. It’s best to store it at temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which will allow for up to two years of storage without sacrificing quality. 2.      Keep DEF Away From Direct Sunlight Where your onsite DEF storage [...]

Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage: Onsite Storage Tips2024-09-09T04:25:23-05:00

Emergency Fuel Plan: Top 4 Tips for Your Business

Emergency Fuel Plan: Top 4 Tips for Your Business - Does your business rely on a vehicle or equipment that needs fuel to run? Then you should have a backup plan in place so you always have the fuel you need even in the event of an emergency or fuel shortage. This will help your business run smoothly even during an unexpected event or crisis, not to mention it will help you avoid expensive downtime. Check out these top tips for putting an emergency fuel plan into place for your business. 1.      Keep Abreast of Fuel Shortages It’s critical to have an emergency fuel plan in place at all times, but especially during known shortages. Know what the current shortages are so you can make adjustments in your plan. You can do this by checking local gas station websites for updates. You could also sign up for text or email alerts from the transportation department in your state. 2.      Create a Plan For Emergency Fuel Supplies Come up with a plan on how you can acquire emergency fuel supplies if needed. If you work in an area that gets a lot of natural disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, [...]

Emergency Fuel Plan: Top 4 Tips for Your Business2023-02-02T14:55:06-05:00

Quarterly Driver Training Tips

Quarterly Driver Training Tips - Is there such thing as too much driver training? Possibly. Some experts say that assigning too much training can ultimately lose its effectiveness over time. This often happens when fleets engage in monthly training assignments for their drivers, whereby they assign a block of training each month and give drivers a certain amount of time to complete it. Assigning safety training monthly across the board could be seen as counterproductive, as it’s not really an effective strategy for enhancing driver knowledge, workplace culture or fleet safety. It may be better to engage in quarterly training instead. Just dropping work and content into someone’s lap and walking away isn’t an effective form of education. There has to be some give and take. You have to be able to review what happens afterwards, make plan adjustments, fill gaps, and involve your drivers. To maximize training effectiveness, you must assess the effect over time so you can make wise decisions based on them. If the training worked great and solved a problem, that’s wonderful. But often times it doesn’t achieve much at all. How do you know the training is working if you just keep assigning work [...]

Quarterly Driver Training Tips2022-07-21T09:39:27-05:00

Underground Storage Tanks: What Are the Risks?

Underground Storage Tanks: What Are the Risks? - Leaks or spills from petroleum product underground storage tanks (USTs) are bad news. They contaminate soil and groundwater, making their way to neighboring properties or surface waters. In addition, they can result in third-party injuries and property damage – not to mention natural resource damage claims. Owners and operators of USTs must comply with regulations, of course. But they should also maintain their tanks and manage finances in an effort to protect themselves against expensive environmental claims, cleanups, and tank removal costs. There are many factors that will affect the risk of a release. Those factors include tank age, tank construction, tank monitoring and maintenance effectiveness, and leak detection type. Spills often occur during delivery of oil or gas into a storage tank, when the hose is connected to the fill pipe and the product is being pumped into the tank. When someone leaves the oil in the hose after disconnection or when there has been an improper hose connection in the first place, spills can occur. They can also happen with an overfilled tank. Leaks are another risk. They most often happen underneath the dispenser island, the spill bucket, submersible [...]

Underground Storage Tanks: What Are the Risks?2024-09-09T06:52:48-05:00

The Top 10 Reasons Why Retreads Are Better Than New Tires

The Top 10 Reasons Why Retreads Are Better Than New Tires - Choosing retreads for your trucks will help you protect your bottom line while getting a look at the big picture. In addition to the cost savings for you, there are many economic benefits for the entire industry and energy savings for the planet. Here’s a look at the top 10 reasons why retreads are better than new tires. 1.      Reliability Studies show that retreaded tires are more reliable when compared to new tires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) agrees that “… retreaded tires are not inherently more prone to failure than new tires.” – John Woodrooffe, Director, Transportation Vehicle Safety Analytics at University of Michigan. 2.      Cost Savings Retreads cost less than new tires, saving your fleet a lot of money on your third-highest expense after labor and fuel. 3.      Warranties Include Retreads New tires are made to be retreaded. Most warranty the casings over several retreads and several years. The initial investment will pay dividends every time it gives you another tire life via retreading. 4.      They Wear Like New Tires The latest compounding and tread designs allow retreads to feature wear-out mileage that [...]

The Top 10 Reasons Why Retreads Are Better Than New Tires2023-02-02T14:32:38-05:00
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