Drive efficiently
- Slow Down and Save: For every 10 km/hour you go over 100 km/hour, fuel efficiency drops by 10%. Driving 120 km/hour on the highway instead of 100 km/hour is like paying 20% extra for gas.
- Easy on the Pedal: Jackrabbit starts from one stoplight to the next save only 2.5 minutes per hour, but increase fuel consumption by 37%.
- Smooth Sailing: On the highway, keeping a steady speed uses less fuel. Accelerate smoothly and avoid hard braking by leaving room between your car and the one in front.
- Be Idle Free: Just ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine. In ten minutes, the average car will burn through 300 mL of fuel--almost 1/3 of a litre.
- Warm Up on the Go: Today's cars shouldn't idle to be warmed up. In fact, too much idling can cause damage. Driving gently for the first few minutes lets your transmission, steering, and engine warm up at once.
- Combine Trips: Trips under 5 km are the most pollutant because the engine doesn't reach peak operating temperature. Combining several trips into one can cut fuel use and emissions by 20% to 50%.
- Travel Light: Every added hundred pounds reduces fuel efficiency by up to 2%. It's important to keep your trunk clear of unnecessary items and remove all snow and ice in the winter months.
- Make the Most of Your Transmissions: Using overdrive at high speeds saves fuel and reduces engine wear. With a manual transmission, shifting up gently but quickly to higher gears allows the engine to work more efficiently.
- Use a Fuel Consumption Display: If your car comes with a consumption computer, use it to get instant feedback on fuel use. Drivers who learn to adjust their habits can save up to 10% this way. If your vehicle doesn't have one, they're easy to install.