Fuel Economy

With fuel costs going through the roof and the environment on all our minds, the opportunity to reduce our gas consumption and improve our gas mileage presents a win-win situation. While none of the measures we recommend will afford you a playboy lifestyle, when practiced regularly and viewed over time, the savings will really start to add up.

Driving Advice

By practicing the following efficient driving techniques, consumers can gain as much as a 10% improvement on their vehicle's fuel economy.

  • Use cruise control and overdrive gears:  These are two good ways to improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Overdrive reduces both fuel consumption and engine wear because the engine’s speed decreases; whereas cruise control helps drivers maintain a constant speed rather than a variable one, thereby improving gas mileage. Alternatively, if you use a manual transmission try driving at slower rates in high gears. Driving fast in low gears may consume up to 45% more fuel.
  • Drive safely:  Safer drivers who are more aware of their surroundings tend to have better fuel economy. By not tailgating you avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration, which will improve your fuel economy by as much as 5-10%. When driving in the city, nearly 50% of the energy needed to power your car goes into accelerating. Not only will you be driving more safely, you will also reduce the cost of gas and the wear on your vehicle's tires and brakes.
  • Don't let your vehicle idle for more than ten seconds:  Extensive testing on behalf of Natural Resources Canada has proven that idling for periods as short as ten seconds uses more fuel and produces more greenhouse gas emissions than stopping and restarting your engine. So, if you’re waiting at a drive-in lane or running into a store for a quick errand, turn off your vehicle. This is especially true during the hotter summer months, as hot weather increases the problem.
  • Don’t ‘warm up’ your vehicle in the winter:  Today's vehicles do not need to be ‘warmed up’ by leaving them to idle. Modern engines circulate oil throughout the engine much quicker than they used to and the best way to warm up them up is by driving your vehicle. This means you no longer need to start the engine during the winter and let it sit for a while.
  • Reduce your use of air conditioning:  If the weather allows for it you may want to reduce the use of your vehicle's air conditioning. At certain speeds and operating conditions using your air conditioning can lower your fuel economy by as much as 1 km per litre.
  • Plan your trips ahead of time: Several short trips from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
  • Vacation is a prime occasion to improve your fuel economy: Although roof carriers may be a great way to provide the extra cargo space needed, they also decrease fuel economy because of the increase in aerodynamic drag. Place items in your trunk and try to avoid carrying heavy items.

Maintaining Your Vehicle

  • Ensure you have proper tire pressure:  One of the easiest things you can do to improve your vehicle's fuel economy is to make sure your tires are properly inflated. If you are unsure of the proper tire pressure for your vehicle, consult the owner's manual. Also, if you use winter tires, remove them during good weather seasons. These deep-tread tires reduce fuel economy.
  • Change your vehicle's oil on a regular basis:  This will help improve fuel economy by increasing the life of the engine in your vehicle. Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and also removes dirt and grime from the engine. A clean air filter will also help to improve fuel economy by providing an increased level of protection.
  • A properly tuned engine will lower fuel costs:  Consult the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual for when to take it in for a tune-up and you will allow your vehicle to save fuel and run better.
  • Buy gas from a high-volume gas station: Since its tanks are refilled more often there is less chance of the fuel having impurities, such as water or rust. In addition, don't waste money on premium fuel if your vehicle doesn't need it.

Purchasing a Vehicle

  • Look for a vehicle with high gas mileage:  When shopping for a vehicle, the key decision often rests on whether you want it to be new or used. Whichever you choose, the average mileage of a vehicle will prove to be one of the greatest effects on your pocket. A car or truck that has high gas mileage will save thousands of dollars in fuel bills and reduce emissions over the lifetime of a vehicle compared to a vehicle with low gas mileage.

Saving both money and the environment has never been so easy. Many of these measures make it simple to reduce your vehicle's fuel consumption and improve your gas mileage. Take some time to explore which ones work best for you and you’ll soon find that you’re saving money, reducing wear on your vehicle and helping to reduce environmental emissions all at the same time.