Tips For Being An Economical Van Driver
If you drive a van for a living, have your own courier van business, or work in a courier fleet, you must be clued up on how to drive more economically. Not only will reducing your fuel consumption benefit the environment, but it can also save you cash.
We’ve put together some tips to make you a more economical driver to help you reduce your fuel consumption dramatically.
Plan ahead
One of the most effective tips for driving your van more economically is to plan your journey.
You probably have routes that you prefer to take, but it’s worth checking to see if they are the more economical ones. An easy way to do this is to download a route planner app onto your smartphone. A good route planner app will give you an estimated arrival time and try to find an alternative route if the roads are heavily congested.
If you’re planning a longer journey, it’s worth keeping up to date with traffic news. Continuously stopping and starting in traffic uses up lots of fuel, so planning will give you the best chance of avoiding these areas.
Don’t speed
Many drivers like to put their foot down, especially on the motorway. But did you know that constantly driving at a high speed uses up more fuel?
Try to make sure that you stick to the speed limits. If you have courier van insurance and use a telematics device, this could result in your policy price increasing when it’s time to renew, so be mindful of your speed at all times!
Don’t always reach for the aircon
Most modern vans have built-in air conditioning, which is great for the summer months. However, if you get too hot while driving in built-up areas, it’s worth opening a window rather than automatically reaching for the air conditioner.
Air conditioning uses a lot of fuel, so try to save it for when you’re on the motorway.
Get your van serviced regularly
If you look after your van, you’ll be rewarded with better fuel economy. Get your van serviced regularly at a garage or MOT station, and ensure you’re using the correct grade of engine oil.
Check your tyres
To save on fuel, check your tyre pressure frequently.
If your tyres are underinflated, they are less safe than fully pumped ones and lead to higher fuel consumption. Plus, tyres can be expensive, and underinflation can greatly decrease their lifespan.
To find the correct tyre pressure for your van, check your manual.
Drive smoothly
Accelerating too quickly will put a strain on your van’s engine, leading to greater fuel consumption.
As a guide, it should take you roughly 20 seconds to reach 50mph, and you should only switch to fifth gear when you’re travelling at a speed of over 40mph.
Top tip: When driving on a motorway, try to maintain a consistent speed and avoid breaking harshly. The more you break and change speed, the more fuel you use.
Leave promptly
Don’t leave the engine running when loading your van, as this wastes fuel.
Your van’s engine will warm up quicker when you’re moving, so even in cold weather, it’s much more efficient to set off on your journey within a few seconds of starting the engine.
Combine short journeys
If you have a few shorter journeys to do, why not combine them? Even if they’re not in the same direction, combining journeys will save you lots of time and greatly reduce your fuel consumption. If you drive a courier van, this is especially important as you’ll want to reduce downtime while on the clock.
Search for the correct van insurance policy
Taking time to search for the most appropriate van insurance policy can help ensure you don’t pay for anything you don’t need. We have a range of van, courier, and courier van insurance policies that can help you get on the road and drive with complete peace of mind. To learn more about how to find the correct courier van business policy, visit our dedicated website page.