Tips for newbies, How to become a better driver?

by Don
(Vancouver BC)

Hello everyone;

I'm fairly new Driver from Vancouver BC. about a year.
I drove all over US and Canada for Challenger motor freight for about 4 months then switched to being a local driver.

I work in a small company now that has only one truck one driver(me) with no one to learn from or ask advice.
the managers don't know shit about trucks, but very nice people.
I'd like to save them money by becoming a better driver.

I'd like to know if there's anything you can tell me to become a better driver?
for example. I have a bad habit of starting in higher gear rather than using the 1st gear. I have to find out the hard way that this is bad because it wears the clutch.

Also, now that i'm comfortable finding the gear when I missed shifting, I'm starting to develop driving in neutral when slowing down rather than downshifting. (mostly when trailer is empty)

any tips to become a fuel efficient driver?
what kind of maintenance do i need year round and how often should I do it?

Is there anything else that I didn't mention that you would like to share for me to learn?

I started to feel this way after I found out how much money they spend for truck maintenance.
Not only that, This company is family owned and everyone are really nice to me.
I just told them that I needed tires cause winter is coming, and the fact that I do need tires. they send me to Kal tire, change all tires, cost $3000 (single axle)
now, I want to take care of those tires and the whole truck by proper maintenance and better driving.

Is there any other bad habits I haven't develop that I need to watch out?

regards
Don