A: Refineries must change the composition of diesel fuel in the winter to help it function better in the cold weather. These changes give the fuel a little more temperature margin when it comes to how quickly the diesel fuel might gel in cold weather. The mix lowers the energy level of the fuel, meaning more fuel is needed to haul the same load or maintain the same speed, resulting in lower fuel economy.

Managing your speed, idle habits, and driving behaviors can help offset the fuel economy loss and minimize the financial impact to your business.