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How Much Diesel Does A Truck Burn Idling? The Answer Is More Than You Think

How Much Diesel Does A Truck Burn Idling Idle Diesel

How much diesel does a truck burn idling? The answer is simple: too much if you’re idling for too long. 

Routinely idling your diesel truck — letting its engine keep running when you have to take a short break in driving — is part of every diesel vehicle driver’s experience. You need to idle when you stop at traffic lights, when making quick deliveries, or when you just need to take a break from driving. Idling so you can keep your systems running and resume your journey without having to restart your engine is normal and expected.

Too much idling, however, can wreak havoc on your diesel-powered vehicle, cost you a lot of money, damage the environment, and present a nuisance for those around your rig. This article answers common idle diesel questions and offers suggestions for improvement. 

Does Idling Save on Diesel Fuel Costs?

While you might think that idling is more cost-effective because it saves fuel, this is a myth. 

So, how much fuel does idling use? The truth is that if you idle a diesel truck engine for more than 10 seconds, you’re actually using more fuel than if you just powered down and then restarted the engine. On average, a heavy-duty diesel truck wastes 1 gallon of fuel for every hour it idles. With diesel gas prices ranging from $4.50 to $5.25 per gallon nationwide in the last quarter of 2023, it’s easy to see how idling your vehicle could be burning up your money. 

If you idle your diesel truck for 40 hours a week, and you’re paying an average of $5 a gallon for diesel fuel, you’re spending about $200 a week idling your vehicle. That’s a lot of fuel and money to go nowhere. 

Is It Bad To Let A Diesel Engine Idle?

Along with wasting fuel, when you idle diesel trucks, you’re not doing your engines any favors. Just one hour of idling per day over the course of one year is the same as 64,000 miles in engine wear, according to the American Trucking Associations. 

Idling increases engine wear and tear and potentially causes damage to the engine’s components. It can lead to soot and carbon deposit buildup in the engine, and that will impact both engine performance and the overall longevity of your engine. Too much idling can also cause your engine to overheat and can potentially damage the engine’s cooling system.

In addition, idle diesel vehicles are bad for the environment. When you idle your diesel truck, you’re increasing the release of harmful emissions, and that adds more harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. In fact, carbon dioxide from truck idling is a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

Idling heavy-duty diesel vehicles also contributes to noise pollution. Idle diesel trucks emit noise at 85 decibels at a distance of 50 feet. Sixty decibels is considered a moderate noise level where normal conversations can be heard, and 80 decibels is considered “very loud.”  For a truck engine to drop to the acceptable level of 55-to-60 decibels for most residential areas, it would need to be 1600 feet away. Think about that next time you leave your diesel truck idling in a residential area. 

Strategies to Reduce Idling and Save Fuel

Not all diesel truck idling can be avoided. Drivers on long hauls need to run their engines to stay warm or cool in their trucks while resting. This is especially critical as drivers need to get adequate rest while on the road for safety reasons. Fortunately, there are idling reduction technologies and behavior changes truck owners and operators can adopt to reduce idling while saving fuel. 

Idling Reduction Technologies (IRTs)

With IRT devices, truckers can reduce long-duration idling of the main propulsion engine using one of the following EPA-approved technologies:

  • Auxiliary Power Units and Generator Sets (APU/GS)
  • Fuel Operated Heaters (FOH) aka Direct Fired Heaters (DFH)
  •  Battery Air Conditioning Systems (BAC) (Battery operated heating and/or cooling system)
  • Thermal Storage Systems (TSS)
  •  Electrified Parking Spaces (EPS) / Truck Stop Electrification (TSE)

Behavioral Strategies and Financial Incentives

Additionally, truck fleet owners can adopt the following to incentivize drivers to reduce idling. 

  • Offer education to operators regarding the problems caused by long-duration idling 
  • Offer drivers financial incentives to reduce idling, increasing the incentive the more improvement is seen and/or when idling reduction goals are met

How Best Roadside Service Helps Keep Your Fleet On the Road

Too much idling is just one of the many issues that can cause problems for commercial truck operators. That’s why a top-notch and affordable commercial roadside assistance plan can save the day should any of your trucks break down. To learn more about how Best Roadside Service can keep your commercial trucks moving, contact us today.

5 Best Commercial Roadside Assistance Companies

Best Commercial Roadside Assistance

Are you in need of reliable roadside assistance for your fleet of vehicles?

As a business owner, you understand the importance of ensuring your drivers are safe and that your vehicles are always on the move. However, with the plethora of commercial roadside assistance companies in the market, choosing the best one for your business can take time and effort. Don’t fret! In this article, we’ve got you covered with an in-depth analysis of five of the best commercial roadside assistance companies, so you can make an informed decision and keep your fleet moving forward with peace of mind.

Five Top Commercial Roadside Assistance Companies

  1. Best Roadside Service 

When it comes to the best roadside assistance plans, it’s hard to beat the commercial fleet options offered by the “A+” rated  Best Roadside Service. Feilding over 5,000 calls daily, with an average response time of just 58 minutes, Best Roadside Services’ commercial roadside service plan covers everything from sedans to semi-trucks, providing coverage no matter who is operating the vehicle.

Service includes:

  • Flat Tire Service
  • Battery Jumpstart Assistance
  • Lockout Service
  • Free Fuel, Oil, Fluid, and Water Delivery
  • Winching/Extrication (up to 15 feet from a regularly maintained roadway)
  1. Western Truck Insurance 

If you’re in the market for commercial roadside assistance plans for your commercial fleet, Western Truck Insurance offers one of the most cost-effective options, with rates starting at under $500 per year. One of the standout benefits of their plan is the ability to tow both your tractor and trailer for up to 50 miles or 2 hours, in addition to offering light winching and extraction assistance, replacement key services, and even discounted hotel stays.

Furthermore, Western Truck Insurance also provides a generous $500 coupon that can be applied toward engine overhaul financing, truck financing, or lease buyout financing. This comprehensive package ensures you can keep your commercial fleet running smoothly and efficiently without breaking the bank.

  1. Verizon Connect

Verizon Connect provides a comprehensive range of standard services that are typically offered with commercial roadside assistance plans. These include towing for both light and heavy-duty fleet vehicles covering up to 25 miles, jump-starting dead batteries, and other minor roadside repairs. However, what distinguishes Verizon Connect from its competitors is its innovative Reveal mobile app. This app enables vehicle operators and office staff to conveniently request roadside assistance with just a few clicks, setting it apart as a leader in the industry.

  1. Paragon Motor Club

Paragon provides plans based on unique usage and coverage needs and offers options for commercial fleets of all sizes. Their fleet division plans are fully customizable, with specialized options including:

  • Fleet Tracking
  • Legal Defense Reimbursement
  • Ambulance Assistance Reimbursement
  1. Roadside Masters

Providing heavy-duty emergency roadside assistance for commercial vehicles, Roadside Masters specializes in offering nationwide coverage to trucks, buses, vans, and limousines. Membership includes tractor and trailer towing over a distance of up to 50 miles and entitles you to four trailer tire changes per year. Also, if one of your fleet vehicles needs a mechanic or cosmetic repair that costs between $8,000 – $60,000, Roadside Masters provides a $750 credit to help defray the costs a bit.

Stay Protected – Invest in Commercial Roadside Assistance

Ultimately, the best commercial roadside assistance plan for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. For example, if you frequently travel long distances, you may want to look for a plan with extensive coverage, including towing services and battery jump-starts, whereas if you mainly drive in urban areas, you may only need a plan that provides fuel delivery and lockout services.

Your budget should also play a significant role in determining the best plan for you. While some plans may offer a wide range of services and extensive coverage, they may also come with a higher price tag. At the end of the day, it’s vital to strike a balance between the services you need and what you can afford.

If you’d like to find out more details about the different plans offered by Best Roadside Service, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free quote today.

Should You Tip Roadside Assistance?

Should You Tip Roadside Assistance

Unforeseen flats, breakdowns, and lockouts are huge inconveniences, though they happen more often than anyone would like. Fortunately, roadside assistance providers remain at the ready when you need them, working around the clock so unexpected vehicular issues are tended to quickly and efficiently.

Should you tip roadside assistance providers? It’s a pretty common question, and when you’re stuck on the side of the road you might feel tempted to throw in something extra for those who come to help you. But, is this behavior normal, or expected? And, how much is enough?

Below we’ll give you an idea of how roadside assistance operators work, and when and why it may be appropriate to show your appreciation.

When to Tip Roadside Assistance

You are in no way obligated to tip roadside assistance, be it a tow truck driver, mechanic, or locksmith who comes to your aid. However, you should consider tipping them if you are happy with the services provided, especially for more intensive situations where a service provider drops you off at a shop or works tirelessly to get you out of a ditch in the middle of the night, for example. And while there’s no guide to tell you what amount of work warrants a tip, a good point to remember is that dispatched providers often go above and beyond basic contracted services.

As stated, offering roadside emergency services is not easy. These individuals have to work long hours under various conditions, ready to assist at a moment’s notice. And even if the cost of the service and mileage are included in your bill, you should consider offering a tip if you feel that the person did a commendable job throughout the process. Whether you do or do not tip, always remember an alternative way to show your appreciation is to submit a favorable online review.

At the end of the day, any reputable roadside assistance provider should respect whatever decision you make, and you should never feel like you’re forced or guilted into giving a tip, no matter the circumstances.

Do You Tip Roadside Assistance For Flat Tires?

Flat tires are one of the most common reasons for calling a roadside assistance provider. As a result, the question, “Do you tip roadside assistance for a flat tire?” is often pondered.

A flat tire should be treated in the same way you’d treat another issue on the road in that it’s still your decision to make in the end. Some people feel a tip is warranted, and others feel flat tire services come with the cost of roadside assistance overall. If you’re not sure, consider where you are, how far the individual had to travel, the time of day, the amount of work needed to help, and how they treated you to make your decision easier.

How Much Do You Tip Roadside Assistance?

Wondering how much to tip roadside assistance? Well, that decision is also entirely up to you. There’s no set amount, no starting point, and no wrong answer. If you have some extra cash on you and feel like your provider did a great job on your vehicle, give them what you believe is an accurate compensation for what they provided. No matter the individual or service, they will feel grateful for the act of recognition.

For additional help deciding, know that many people agree a good tip ranges anywhere between $5 – $20, with $20 considered a great tip.

Best Roadside Service is Ready Whenever You Are

Service-oriented roadside assistance companies work hard to secure reputable service providers and response vehicles that insure that you receive quality service and fast response times. Best Roadside Service has more than 45,000 service providers nationwide. Paired with a direct emergency toll-free hotline, open 24 hours-a-day and 365 days-a-year, Best Roadside Service is able to offer an average response time of just 58 minutes. We also maintain an A Rating w the BBB rating by contracting with reliable and friendly service professionals who go above and beyond to help you on the road and get you on your way quickly and safely.

We offer a variety of roadside assistance plans so you can get the exact coverage you need. Members also receive numerous benefits, from travel and hotels to theme parks and more. Learn more about what makes us the Best Roadside Service, or contact us today for any additional questions or comments.

5 Tips To Improve Your Commercial Fleet Maintenance Strategy

Commercial Fleet Maintenance
How you plan and implement your commercial fleet maintenance strategy is perhaps the most important step to ensure that your company vehicles are consistently operational for the long haul. This includes everything from how you organize your maintenance routine to how sustainable your best practices are, all of which can play a big role in how much you spend, as well as the lifespan of your commercial vehicles.

With that in mind, here are five of our best fleet management ideas, with helpful tips that any business can implement for better maintained vehicles.

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Trend Predictions for Commercial Fleet Management in 2021

Commercial Fleet Roadside AssistanceDespite being early into the new year, there are many, new trends for commercial fleet management in 2021 that are manifesting right now. These crucial changes could impact your business and challenge the way you currently conduct operations.

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Truck Safety 101: Promoting a Culture of Safe Driving in Your Company

Truck Safety

If you have one or more employees driving trucks for your company, then encouraging and incentivizing truck safety needs to be one of your top priorities. Truck driving is one of the most dangerous jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but this profession acts as a lifeline for the things that we need on a daily basis: groceries, fuel, building materials, and other essential goods. Plus, if you’re trying to run a successful transportation business, then truck driving might be essential to your operations.

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What Does Roadside Assistance Cover?

What Does Roadside Assistance Cover So, what does roadside assistance cover? Regardless if you’re a business owner or an individual, emergency roadside assistance can and will save you in a bind. It can cover everything from motorcycles and trucks to your mother’s ancient station wagon. Did you know that for every year you own your car, the chances of it breaking down increase dramatically? Incidents like tire blowouts, running out of gas, and breaking down on a highway miles from an exit are dangerous, but you can eliminate that danger with one of the roadside plans from Best Roadside Service. Since 1962, we have provided outstanding roadside services to over 15 million members across the United States and Canada.

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Perform Efficient Vehicle Inspections

Vehicle inspections taken both before and after trips can benefit fleets of all types and sizes.  It is important for fleet managers to provide the necessary training, so that fleet drivers understand what needs to be assessed and how to figure out if there is anything wrong with their vehicle.

Knowing where and what to look for and understanding what the differences are between a vehicle encountering several issues, like low tire pressure, and a properly functioning one can help to not only avoid vehicle breakdowns but also save a driver’s life potentially.

Becoming Familiar With The Vehicle

For a fleet driver to perform a proper vehicle inspection, the individual needs to be familiar with her or his vehicle.  New driver orientation is the best time for getting fleet drivers familiar with their vehicles.   If this step is part of the driver orientation program, drivers who are new will become familiar with the vehicle as well as gauge how their driving habits might change, based on the purpose and size of the vehicle.

The better care the drivers take of their vehicles, the longer both the parts and vehicle will last.  It also helps to reduce the likelihood that fleet drivers will get into crashes.  For example, if a fleet driver has to use the brakes while traveling at a high rate of speed, then it would be nice knowing that the breaks will be dependable.

It is critical to set a routine for fleet drivers to conduct both pre- as well as post-trip vehicle inspections.  In order for fleet drivers to remember how to perform these inspections, the routine should be a checklist that is somewhere between seven and nine steps.  Inspections will soon become a habit as the fleet driver continues to complete the checklist daily.

It is also helpful to test the knowledge that a fleet driver has about proper vehicle inspection.  That will demonstrate to fleet managers whether or not drivers are performing the inspections and checking all of the key components.

Identifying The Places To Look

Drivers should familiarize themselves with the vehicle so they can learn where all of the key components are as well as what to look for if they need repair.  Drivers should perform an in-cab, walk-around, and engine compartment check as part of your efficient vehicle inspection.  If necessary, they should also make sure their cargo is secured.

A fleet driver should always keep a flashlight, a pair of gloves, tire depth gauge and tire pressure gauge in their vehicle. Keeping these tools in the vehicle will help speed up the inspection process.  If the fleet driver wants to check the tire treads on their vehicle and doesn’t have a tire depth gauge, then a penny may be used as an alternative indicator.  The penny will need to be inserted into the tread groove of the tire with the Lincoln head upside down,  facing the fleet driver who is inspecting the vehicle. If the fleet driver can see Lincoln’s entire head, then that means there is less than 2/32 inch of the tire tread, and the tires will need to be replaced right away.

Commercial Roadside Assistance

Emergencies can happen. So it’s important that your business maintains commercial and fleet roadside assistance to make sure that your trucks are running again in no time.  Contact Best Roadside Service today for your free quote.

The Benefits of Commercial Roadside Assistance Plans

commercial vans roadside assistance

If you are a business owner whose business relies on commercial vehicles, a commercial roadside assistance plan is a necessity. Anytime a vehicle becomes stranded it can endanger an employee’s safety and create a financial loss for your company. Commercial roadside service plans reduce these risks by offering a number of benefits.
Mechanical Repairs and Towing

Oftentimes, a breakdown is caused by a mechanical failure. A commercial roadside assistance plan covers many of the issues that result from mechanical breakdowns. Roadside service providers are able to do minor repairs wherever the vehicle breaks down. If more extensive repairs are needed, the vehicle will need to be towed to a mechanic for repairs. Even the most basic commercial roadside plans typically include emergency towing. Most plans cover towing within a five to ten mile range (depending on your plan) free of charge; and will tow further if desired for an additional fee.

Jump Starts

Another common issue that can cause a breakdown is battery failure. Oftentimes, all you need is a jump start. With a commercial roadside service plan, a vehicle will arrive at your location and “give you a jump start.” This jump start will allow you or one of your employees to safely drive to a mechanic and have your battery checked to see if it needs to be replaced.

Flat or Damaged Tires

When a vehicle experiences a flat tire or damaged tire, drivers typically need to put on the spare. If your fleet vehicles have spares roadside service providers can assist your drivers with changing the tire, particularly in areas where safety might be an issue (the side of a highway for example). Oftentimes, commercial vehicles do not have spares and tires can be too large to change on location. If that is the case, commercial roadside assistance plans ensure you have towing coverage to get your fleet vehicles where they need to be to have a replacement tire installed.

Vehicle Lockouts

Nobody is perfect. One of the most common calls for roadside assistance is a vehicle lockout. Commercial roadside assistance plans offer lockout service, to get your employees back on the road quickly. For some commercial roadside companies this is an optional service; check your plan to ensure that it includes this coverage.

Fuel, Oil or Water Delivery Service

Being stuck without oil, fuel, or water can be a dangerous situation for a driver. In fact, it is among the most challenging problems that a driver can encounter during a breakdown. When there is a commercial roadside assistance plan covering a commercial vehicle, service providers deliver emergency supplies of water, oil, or gasoline to get your vehicles up and running.
If you’re a business owner that relies on fleet vehicles keeping them on the road is essential to keeping your business running. The benefits of having a roadside assistance plan for your fleet vehicles keeps your business running smoothly and your employees on the road. Commercial and fleet roadside service plans provide 24/7 coverage and rapid response times. Whether they need a tow, jump start, tire change, or gas delivery service, roadside assistance plans have your employees and customers covered. Additionally, plans through companies like Best Roadside Service are customizable to make sure you’re meeting the specific needs of your employees and customers as well as your business.

Breakdowns can occur at any time. Having a commercial roadside assistance plan can keep you covered in the event of an emergency. If you are a business owner, this coverage is absolutely essential to your business.  You can visit Best Roadside Service and sign your business up today.

Best Roadside Service vs. Pay As You Go

 

 

As a fleet manager or owner of company vehicles, you may have come across various “pay as you go” fleet /vehicle services. Some are for consumers as well, such as Honk and Hum.

So, here is the skinny on those plans. Do you want to take 100% risk or do you want your roadside company to take 100% of the risk? Do you like to gamble? Suppose your car or home insurance agent asked you if you wanted to self-insure for your home or car and when a catastrophe or accident happens (and they will—look around at the stranded, broken down vehicles you see next time you’re driving) your insurance agency will send help and then you will get a huge bill that you didn’t budget for. Your house burns down—or you have a fender bender with your car. Do you want to get a bill for that? Of course not, that’s why you get a premium. Same with Best Roadside service, we give you a LOW yearly premium to take all the risk and worry away from you.

Best Roadside Service is exactly like insurance. You give a small premium and with thousands of other companies and small business like yours, we spread the risk all over. Same as car and home insurance. But if you decide to try the pay as you go plan, you will get bigger bills for something that should be less expensive.  For example, commercial and fleet plans, you pay for the vehicle roadside protection up front, typically $79-109 per vehicle per year. This covers the vehicle regardless of who is driving.  10 vehicles, your total out of pocket cost would be around $800. Now let’s figure 3 to 4 tows per year. Add a few flat tires, dead batteries. One 50 mile tow could cost you about $350. Flat tires and dead batteries about $100. You can see that you can quickly exceed your upfront cost, if only you had just purchased Best Roadside Service Commercial/Fleet coverage. Plus you get other coverages, like free gas, concierge services, discount cards and $100 towards lost keys! You say you have a newer fleet that won’t break down? Between 2% and 3% of all vehicles break down all the time. Do you want to take that chance? Flat tires are the most common, followed by general mechanical breakdowns—yes even for new cars. Ever ask yourself why they throw in roadside service for free with some new cars? So you don’t have to worry and they know the odds of breaking down. Best Roadside Service will give you a 10% discount if you have newer vehicles to boot! Also you don’t have to worry about getting bills and invoices every month for services you used. How will that affect your budget?  With Pay as you go—you will have to pay on the spot for the service as it’s rendered, even if you think the price is too high or some companies may offer monthly billing and you will get an even bigger bill, left scratching your head about the embedded costs in the bill. The pay as you go companies have to make their profit ON TOP of the actual service provided by the tow truck service provider, so hidden and embedded costs WILL always be cleverly disguised in your bill. Pay as you go companies try to squeeze 20-30% profit margins ON TOP of the actual bill! You don’t think there doing this free do you?

Why not just make one payment for the whole year, let Best Roadside take 100% of the risk, you don’t get any bills throughout the year, no worries, no additional charges, no fuss, no nothing except peace of mind that you have paid for the BEST roadside insurance and you will not have any other bills, invoices or expenses for a total year.

Best Roadside Service gives generous towing limits of up to 75 miles—an easy $500 benefit once your vehicle breaks down and has to be towed. We give 3 gallons of fuel free if you run out of gas. Your drivers and employees will never worry about paying out of pocket while their stranded on the road. Your Accounts Payable Department won’t get bills every month and have to reconcile to what service happened to which driver and then ask why the bills are so high. That alone is a huge benefit.

To be honest, if you go with pay as you go, you would be better off just calling a local tow truck service, supporting your local economy and take all the risk and be prepared to PAY ON THE SPOT.

Or go with a U.S. employee owned and operated company like Best Roadside Service who will take 100% of the risk for a much lower annual cost to your company.

Ride with the Best, Best Roadside Service. Our dispatching network has handled millions of calls since the 1950’s. We have U.S. based call centers with English Speaking, courteous, caring representatives whose only goal is to get you back on the road again! Let us take the risk and worry for you!