Tips for Canadians to save on rising fuel costs
Fuel savings have become crucial for many Canadians. Here are some tips to achieve tangible benefits.
Would you like your car to consume up to 30% less fuel? Although it may seem unrealistic, small changes in driving habits can bring significant savings. Although implementing just one of the following tips might not yield a significant effect, combining several can result in surprising outcomes.
Prepare the car
Fuel-efficient driving starts with taking care of your vehicle. The first step is to ensure the correct tire pressure. Low pressure increases rolling resistance, raising fuel consumption. With a pressure of 0.5 bar lower, fuel consumption can rise by about 5%.
Next, attention should be given to the vehicle's technical condition. Proper ignition system maintenance is especially important for gasoline cars. A dirty air filter and old spark plugs can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. Removing unnecessary luggage from the car is also worth it, mainly dismantling unused roof racks.
Don't be afraid of a high gear and neutral
Modern cars often have a gear shift assistant that informs you when to change to a higher gear. Following this advice is crucial since contemporary engines are designed to operate at low RPMs.
Shifting to a higher gear at 2,000 RPM or slightly more can reduce fuel consumption. For example, at a 50 km/h speed, the difference between driving in third and fifth gear is about 30%. Of course, high gear is only for maintaining speed; when accelerating, you need to downshift.
Another important habit is to use engine braking and neutral gear when approaching red lights or driving downhill. Braking using the engine is beneficial when approaching red lights or driving downhill. In this case, no fuel is supplied to the engine, which saves fuel and reduces the wear on brake discs and pads.
Don't be afraid to use neutral. Many cars with automatic transmissions have a "coasting" mode, equivalent to neutral. Neutral is helpful for short stretches at low speeds, such as in residential areas or when gently slowing down before an exit ramp. Just make sure you’re not impeding traffic.
Look ahead
Besides technical issues, prudence behind the wheel matters a lot. Look at the road, not just the car in front of you. If you see a red light from afar, don't accelerate. Sometimes, it’s advisable to pay attention to the pedestrian signal. When the green light starts flashing, it will soon change for cars.
When driving on highways, maintain a good distance from the vehicle in front. This allows you to react efficiently to other drivers' manoeuvres, save fuel, and enhance safety.
Use air conditioning wisely
In summer, drivers often wonder whether it's better to turn on the air conditioning or open the windows. GM has proven that opening windows is more economical at lower speeds. However, given the aerodynamic deterioration, air conditioning is a better solution on the highway and should also be used wisely.
On hot days, it’s worth opening the windows first, then only after driving a few hundred metres, closing them and turning on the air conditioning. This helps cool the car's interior more quickly.
The most straightforward advice is to reconsider whether you need the car every time. Maybe it's worth going shopping on foot or taking a bike to work? It’s cheaper and healthier.
