Trucks are big and powerful machines perfect for highway and off-road use, so it’s no surprise that many New Zealanders own one. However, maintaining this beast of a vehicle can be expensive, especially when you drive it daily. Certainly, trucks that see a lot of use require more care. For example, if you like taking your truck out on long drives, you’ll need to have it refuelled more frequently. Petrol isn’t cheap, so if you have to visit the service station several times a week, it can put a dent in your savings.
Fortunately, there are a lot of driving tips you can follow to save on fuel. These include lightening the load on your truck’s bed, keeping your truck steady when accelerating, and avoiding braking aggressively. However, installing aftermarket upgrades will also help if you’re looking for additional solutions. You can get many aftermarket upgrades from a reliable auto parts supplier in New Zealand that can increase your kilometre per litre. And although you’ll need to spend some money to enjoy their benefits, the following aftermarket truck upgrades make excellent investments that can help you save money in the long run:
Cold Air Intake Systems
The quality of the air that enters your truck’s engine matters because poor air quality prevents your truck from reaching its full power. When the air is hot and riddled with dirt, the engine will have a harder time operating. This could cause the engine to burn more fuel to keep the vehicle running the way you want.
Installing an aftermarket cold air intake system is a great way to solve this problem Note that the stock system on your truck does its job fine for less-demanding drives, but upgrading to a better cold air intake will improve your truck’s performance.
This is because aftermarket cold air intakes are designed to introduce higher amounts of cooler and cleaner air into the engine. As a result, your truck’s engine can burn fuel more efficiently. This yields an increase in engine power and fuel mileage, so you can cover more ground and consume less fuel.
Cat-Back Exhaust System
To improve your truck’s overall engine airflow, you should consider replacing your vehicle’s stock exhaust with a high-quality cat-back exhaust system. Aftermarket cat-backs are wider than their OEM counterparts and use mufflers that deliver better exhaust flow. Thanks to their design, they can expel exhaust fumes at a higher and faster rate. This ultimately reduces the pressure in the engine, so your truck won’t need to burn more fuel to hit higher speeds.
Moreover, aftermarket cat-back systems allow you to install a new catalytic converter, which is beneficial if your truck’s OEM catalytic converter is malfunctioning. A new catalytic converter will ensure that your truck isn’t emitting high levels of harmful emissions.
Performance Tuners
Performance tuners are vehicle enhancers that are easy to install and operate. They’re often installed via plug-and-play, so it won’t take long to get everything set up. Tuners also come in a handheld design to allow you to use them on the fly. These aftermarket upgrades often come with performance tuning options that are pre-programmed to the device.
One of these settings is an “eco” or fuel-saving mode, which is the mode you’re looking for when you want to save on petrol. When you set the tuner to this mode, it will send the command to your truck’s ECU; the computer will then adjust your vehicle’s settings to ensure that it will consume less fuel.
Tyres
Driving with old and worn tyres is bad for your truck’s fuel efficiency. Misaligned, under-inflated, or damaged tyres have increased road friction, causing you to lose a few kilometres per litre.
That’s why upgrading to fuel-efficient tyres can help you save on petrol. These types of tyres are made to be more durable and longer-lasting than stock tyres, so you won’t have to worry about road friction damage even after you’ve driven hundreds of kilometres. Aftermarket tyres also have reduced rolling resistance, meaning your truck won’t have to exert as much energy to get the tyres rolling.
Exterior Upgrades That Increase Aerodynamics
There are several exterior upgrades that can make your truck more fuel efficient. A hood scoop, for example, can increase the amount of airfed into the engine, ensuring that petrol is burned more evenly. Another exterior accessory that can boost your truck’s aerodynamics is a tonneau bed cover. By covering your truck’s bed, you’re reducing the amount of drag your vehicle experiences, improving its mileage.
Increasing your truck’s gas mileage is a great way to save on fuel. However, sometimes you have to spend some cash to save more. By investing in these aftermarket truck upgrades, you’ll be able to keep your truck in good condition longer and save more money.
