JJ Keller Entry Level Driver Training CDL Practice Test 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Extended idling significantly impacts fuel consumption. When a vehicle is idling, the engine continues to run while not in motion, which wastes fuel. This is particularly pertinent in the trucking industry, where fuel efficiency is crucial for cost management. Idling can consume a considerable amount of fuel over time without any air travel benefit, leading to inaccurate fuel usage estimations.

While factors like driving on flat terrain, driving with an empty trailer, and using cruise control can have varying effects on overall fuel efficiency, they do not directly affect fuel usage estimations in the same way that extended idling does. For instance, flat terrain generally leads to better fuel efficiency compared to hilly terrain, and an empty trailer could result in less weight but is not as impactful as prolonged idling. Meanwhile, using cruise control can help maintain a consistent speed, thereby improving fuel efficiency, but it doesn’t contribute to additional fuel wastage like idling does.