• Plan and combine trips - Plan trips in advance and wherever possible combine them into one outing;
• Avoid aggressive driving - Behaviours such as speeding, quick acceleration, and hard stops can increase fuel consumption by up to 39 per cent.
• Reduce your speed - Decreasing your speed from 120 km/h to 100 km/h consumes about 20 per cent less fuel;
• Avoid unnecessary idling - Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more CO2 compared to restarting your engine.
• Service your vehicle regularly - Change the air filter, spark plugs, engine oil and other fluids, as outlined in the owners manual, to ensure you get optimum performance and fuel efficiency;
• Measure your tire pressure at least once a month - For every 28 kilopascals (4 psi) of under-inflation, fuel use increases by about two per cent;
• Lighten Your Load - Roof and ski racks, and heavy items in your trunk, decrease your vehicle's aerodynamics and add weight causing your vehicle to burn more fuel;
• Track your fuel consumption - Driving with fuel economy in mind, or eco-driving, can increase the distance you travel with every tank;
• Give yourself extra time
• Use public transit or active transportation wherever possible -Activities like taking the bus, walking, or biking will have an immediate impact on your fuel consumption. Source: Natural Resources Canada, vehicles.gc.ca.
- News Canada