As the pandemic brought many sectors of our economy to a standing standstill, prices at the gas pump dropped about 80 cents a litre in some areas. With the economy resurgence and recent tensions overseas, we’re seeing gas averaging at a record $1.81 a litre across the country, and it’s expected to keep heading higher.
While one way to save money is to reduce how much you drive, that’s just not practical for many people. So today, we are going to share some small things experts say could save drivers up to 20% on fuel a year.
- Slow Down – According to Natural Resources Canada, vehicles are the most fuel-efficient when travelling at a speed between 50 and 80 km an hour. At 120 km/h, a car uses 20% more fuel than if it was going 100 km/h.
- Accelerate Smoothly – Stomping on the accelerator frequently increases fuel consumption by 39%
- Avoid Aggressive Braking – Rather than rushing towards a red light, take your foot off the gas and glide to a stop.
- Check Tire Pressure – Under-inflated tires increase fuel consumption by up to 4%.
- Keep Your Car Streamlined – Remove roof and bike racks when not in use. And remove unnecessary items from the trunk.
- Follow the Manufacturer’s Scheduled Maintenance Plan – Keep the engine tuned, the oil clean, and the front end aligned to optimize the gas savings!
For more helpful tips, check out http://www.caa.ca and www.nrcan.gc.ca and search Factors that affect fuel efficiency.
