Improving Fuel Efficiency

With today’s rising fuel costs and concern about greenhouse gas emissions, most of us are looking for ways to reduce our gas consumption. While the following tips may seem insignificant, they all add up, helping you to save money and protect the environment.

Driving Advice

First of all, people should do a better job of driving smart. By practicing efficient driving techniques, consumers can improve up to 10% on a vehicle's fuel economy.

One of the best ways to do this is by observing the speed limit. In fact, driving at 120 km per hour, rather than 100 km per hour increases fuel consumption by 20 percent. Further, more than 50% of the energy required to move a vehicle down the road is spent overcoming aerodynamic drag (pushing air out of the way). The faster you drive, aerodynamic drag increases and fuel economy decreases. Also, whenever possible, keep windows rolled up while on the freeway. Open windows can cause added aerodynamic drag.

Cruise control and overdrive gears are both ways to improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Overdrive reduces both fuel consumption and engine wear because engine speed decreases. Cruise control helps drivers maintain a constant speed rather than a variable speed and therefore improves gas mileage. Also, if using a manual transmission, try driving at slow rates in high gears. Driving at fast rates in low gears may consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.

Drivers who are more aware of their surroundings will also improve their vehicle's fuel economy. By not tailgating, you avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration, which can improve fuel economy by 5 to 10 percent. In city driving, nearly 50 percent of the energy needed to power your car goes to acceleration. Not only will you be driving more safely, but you will also reduce 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 are waiting at a drive-up lane or running in a store for a quick errand, turn off your vehicle. Idling your vehicle is especially hard in the hot summer months.

Today's vehicles also do not need to be “warmed up” by idling. Modern engines circulate oil throughout the engine quickly and the best way to warm up the lubricants in transmission etc. is to drive your vehicle. This means you don't need to start you vehicle in the winter and let it sit for a while.

If you can tolerate the heat, you may want to reduce the use of your vehicle's air conditioning. At certain speeds and operating conditions, the use of air conditioning can lower fuel economy by as much as 1 km per litre.

Another way to save fuel is to 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.

Also, if you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets better mileage whenever possible.

Carpooling, mass transit, people power and telecommuting are all ways to you can save money by not driving your vehicle. Carpooling and ride-share programs will reduce your fuel costs and save wear on your vehicle. If available in your area, mass transit will do the same. Walking or biking to work may be an alternative if you live close enough to work. Also, see if there are opportunities at your job to telecommute. Even one day a week will help reduce fuel consumption.

You should also be thinking about improving fuel economy when going a vacation. Although roof carriers may be great due to the extra cargo space they provide, they decrease fuel economy due to additional aerodynamic drag. Place items in your trunk whenever possible and also avoid carrying heavy items. It's always a good idea to make sure your trunk does not have heavy items in it.

Maintaining Your Vehicle

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.

Changing your vehicle's oil on a regular basis will also help improve fuel economy by increasing the life of the engine. 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 improve fuel economy and protect your engine.

A properly tuned engine will also help lower fuel costs. Consult the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual for tune-ups and you will help your vehicle save fuel and run better.

It's also a good idea to buy gas from a high-volume station. Since its tanks are refilled 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

When shopping for a vehicle, people need to decide between purchasing a new or used vehicle. But what people should really focus on is the average mileage a vehicle gets, whether it is old or new. A car or truck that gets 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.

As you may now realize, there are many opportunities to reduce your vehicle's fuel consumption. So take some time to explore which ones work for you and you will soon be saving money, reducing wear on your vehicle and helping to reduce environmental emissions.