Reducing Your Fuel Costs
Fuel Economy 101 – Reducing Your Fuel Costs
Check your tire pressure regularly
The simple act of measuring your tire pressure on a regular basis will help ensure you are minimizing your fuel consumption.
Measure your tires once a month, ideally when it's cold out. The recommended tire pressure is shown on a plate or sticker attached to the edge of the driver's door, the door post, the glove compartment or the fuel tank door. If you can't find it, check your owner's manual or consult the manufacturer.
Caution: Tires will have the maximum inflation pressure on them; this will likely not match the manufacturer's recommended pressure for safety and efficiency.
By running your tires at the optimal pressure, you will ensure that you save fuel and get the maximum life out of your tires.
Use energy conserving oil
The best oils for fuel economy carry the label 'Energy conserving.'
Regardless of what oil you use, changing it regularly (following the vehicle manufacturer's guidelines) is one of the best ways to ensure that your vehicle stays in top condition.
Keep tabs on your coolant level
An engine not running at the optimal operating temperature consumes more fuel. As well, it can cause emissions issues and wear out your engine more quickly. Ensuring proper coolant changes and mix helps prevent these problems.
Check to make sure there is coolant in the overflow tank. Watch out for cracked hoses, as well as loose clamps and belts. Remember, coolant degrades over time, so follow your manufacturer's recommendations and change it regularly.
Inspect your air and fuel systems
A clogged air filter can increase your fuel consumption by up to 10% †. Inspect your air system annually to ensure optimal fuel economy and engine performance.
A leaking fuel system is not only wasteful, but it's dangerous also. If you smell or see any gas leaking, get your car checked out to ensure you aren't letting evaporative emissions into the atmosphere.
Replace spark plugs and wires as required
A worn or malfunctioning ignition system will cause your engine to misfire, which could leave a small amount of fuel unburned. To get optimal fuel efficiency, ensure that your ignition system is in top shape.
Warm your engine with a block heater in the winter
Your cold engine can burn up to 50% † more fuel for a short trip in the winter, compared to the same trip in the summer. During these small trips, most of the extra fuel is used during the first minute or two after a cold start.
This extra fuel is used because when your engine starts, it has to pump oil throughout the engine block to lubricate moving parts. If it is cold out, the oil will be thick and take longer to circulate – thus forcing your engine to work harder, causing pre-mature engine wear. A block heater will get you off to a good start and help your engine reach its optimal operating temperature sooner.
Three more ways to save at the pumps
- Avoid road rage and aggressive driving. Quick starts, hard stops and aggressive driving can increase fuel consumption by up to 37% †. Your engine is most efficient at a constant speed.
- Slow down! Reducing your speed from 120 km/h to 100 km/h can cut your fuel consumption by 20% †, is safer and can help you avoid costly speeding tickets.
- Don't idle! Unnecessary idling wastes fuel and generate needless greenhouse gases. Often when you are waiting you will consume less gas by turning off the vehicle and then re-starting it, as opposed to leaving it running.
† Reproduced with the permission of Natural Resources Canada
