Helpful Tips

Here are 10 gas saving tips to help you keep your gas bill down.

1. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check your owner's manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow increases gas waste.

2. Ensure tires are inflated to their recomended air pressure. An underinflated tire causes undue resistance while driving. Check the side of your tires to see what is recommended from the manufacturer. Tire pressure should be checked more often in cold weather due to the air inside the tires contracting giving the tires less pressure. If left unchecked it can even cause the tire to loose its seal on the rim, which will deflate the tire causing damage to the tires sidewall and rim.

3. Avoid aggressive driving. Speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking can lower your fuel economy by 33%. Fuel economy decreases rapidly at speeds above 100 km/h. Every 10 km/h above 100 that you drive is like increasing your price per liter by 5-6 cents.

4. Heavier vehicles require more energy to move; so carrying around excess weight will affect your fuel economy. Empty out your trunk or truck box of unnecessary items. An extra 100 lbs of weight will reduce your fuel economy by 1-2%.

5. Replace worn spark plugs. According to the AAA, old or dirty spark plugs can reduce fuel economy by up to 30%. Not only will you see better performance from changing your spark plugs, but you will also save money on gas.

6. Tighten your gas cap to stop evaporation of gasoline from your tank. 556 million litres of gas are lost each year because of damaged, missing or loose gas caps. So when you are finished filling up at the pumps, make sure your gas cap is properly secured.

7. Using the vehicle manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil can save you 1-2% on your gas bill.

8. Idling gets 0 mpg. Your vehicle uses more gas to idle for 1 minute than it does to re-start the engine. If you are going to be sitting for longer than a minute; say while you wait for a train to pass or someone to come out from the shopping mall, turn your car's engine off and re-start when you are ready to go. In the long run, you will both save dollars and help the environment.

9. During cold weather watch for icicles or slush frozen to the car frame or in the wheel wells. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved slush and ice cause tremendous wind resistance and unnecessary weight.

10. Avoid "reving" the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure and excessive cylinder wear.