Improving Gas Mileage In A Pickup

By Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith

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1 2,571 views May 3, 2010

2010 Toyota Tundra

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Trucks are noted for their ability to guzzle gas, especially with prices at the tank rising over the past decade. With their enormous amount of weight and resistance from the bed of the truck, individuals often wonder what steps they can take to improve the gas mileage of their trucks. With better gas mileage comes a variety of different benefits not just limited to your cost at the pump, but your auto insurance quotes as well for some providers.

One of the most common myths about gas mileage in a truck is that having your tailgate down lowers the resistance against the wind, therefore obtaining better gas mileage. The Discovery Channel's Mythbusters took this myth head on and busted it, discovering that having your tailgate up is more efficient than having it down.

While having the tailgate up is better than having it down, the truck bed still creates a great deal of resistance that causes the mpg to bottom out. A common solution that is very widely accepted is a tonneau cover. By installing one, drivers can have a five to ten percent increase in their gas mileage immediately.

Aside from the tailgate and the bed of the truck, there are a variety of different mechanical things you can change on a pickup truck to ensure better fuel economy. But if your goal is simply saving money, these changes might not be in your best interests, as you might spend more money on modifications than on the actual gas. If bettering the environment is your priority, some suggestions that many car mechanics will provide is cold air intake or converting your truck to run on both gas and water--though that is a whole other story.