VOLVO FH / FM - Hints for economical driving

Following are some hints for driving a VOLVO FH / FM truck economically

VOLVO FH 520 HP TRUCK FROM COAST LINERS 

The driver is the most important link in the chain for obtaining the best total economy

1. Warm up the engine as quickly as possible. A warm engine and transmission use less fuel than if they are cold (and also wear less). 
2. Use the accelerator sensibly and change gears correctly. Jerky driving and incorrect use of gearbox give considerably higher fuel consumption.
3. Do not pump the accelerator. This increases fuel consumption without increasing speed. 
4. Use as high a gear as possible. When the required speed has been attained. Keep the revolutions within the lower half of the green area.
5. Cruise control, should be correctly used. The cruise control if used in hilly areas can increase fuel consumption however. 
6. High speeds use a lot of fuel, partly because air drag increases sharply as speed rises. Strong side and head winds increase fuel consumption.
7. Drive with the engine speed low down late. Use the maximum engine power on upgrades and allow the engine speed to decrease to the lowest part of the green area before changing down. It is specially important to let the D16 engine work at low rpm since it has very high torque at low engine speeds. Let the engine pull, it can manage.
8. When you drive with a light load, excessive gear changing increases fuel consumption.
9. Use good roads!! If possible, avoid poor roads and roads with many hills. Plan your driving carefully. Do not drive so that the energy used for acceleration is wasted by braking again. Use down hill sections by completely releasing the accelerator. Use the momentum of the vehicle when road conditions allow you to do so. 
10. Engine Braking - In gentle downgrades, the engine brake could brake too much and thus give an unwanted effect. To obtain the best fuel consumption such "unncessary" braking should be avoided. Please note that there is a middle position on the accelerator which neither gives engine power nor engine braking. 
11. Choose tyres carefully. Radial tyres have lower rolling resistance. The correct tyre pressure reduces friction and wears the tyres less. 
12. Check the front wheel allignment regularly and axle angles on both the tractor and the trailer. The correct values always give lower rolling resistance and lower fuel consumption. 
13. Do not use a higher canopy than necessary. Always tension the canopy and tarpaulins tightly. Also keep a watch at  the advertising signs, roof racks etc and maintain safe height. 
14. VOLVO's spoiler package gives lower fuel consumption if it is correctly adjusted.
15. Correct maintenance keeps the truck in good trim which keeps fuel consumption down. 

Excerpts and information source : VOLVO FH / FM manual