Car Care Canada is on a mission
Their goal: to educate the Canadian motorist about some simple and effective ways they can reduce fuel consumption in their vehicles. They've asked Kelly Williams, a veteran CASCAR racer and former presenter on Canada's Worst Driver, to be their spokesperson.
I recently had the opportunity to interview her while she passed through Sudbury, Ontario. We talked about how some simple maintenance can help drivers save at the pumps.
JP - What are some of the most commonly overlooked areas of vehicle maintenance which represent a serious potential to waste fuel?
KW - There are several. For instance, a car's tires lose about a pound of air per month--and a car with under-inflated tires can use up to 15% more fuel. More than 75% of cars on the road don't have proper tire pressure, either. That's also dangerous in terms of steering response, and can pose a safety issue.
As another example, a misfiring spark plug can cause your engine to burn more fuel, and so can a clogged air filter--often significantly.
JP - Up North, many people like to work on their own cars--myself included. What sort of tips or recommendations could you give the do-it-yourself mechanics?
KW - Because of the environment and geography, Canadians generally need to follow the "severe maintenance schedule" in their owner's manual. Getting into the practice of doing regular checks to fluid levels, belts, and proper operation of other components is a good idea, as it gets drivers looking for possible problems that could cost more money down the line.
Vehicle checkups are a great habit to teach your kids too.
When it comes to getting rid of used engine oil, coolant or batteries, most mechanic shops will be happy to help you out. Just give them a call.
JP - But obviously, not all drivers have got the time or skill to work on or inspect their own vehicles.
KW - Sure, so that's what the technician is for. You go to the Vet for advice on your pet, and you go to the doctor for advice about your body. For advice on your car, that's what the dealerships are for.
JP - There are so many options coming into play for new car buyers to save fuel, like diesels, hybrids and cylinder deactivation. But what can you tell people interested in used cars?
KW - Be sure to have a used car inspected first. This will cost anything from $25 upwards, but it's peace of mind. Looking at the interior can also give you an indication of how well the car was maintained under the hood. If possible, get the maintenance records too--this way you can see if it will need new parts installed to run at its best.
JP - That's a lot of talk about maintenance!
KW - But cars, like your body, need to be properly maintained. It's like if you go to the gym and keep healthy, your body will run at its best. If you don't take care of it, it won't. It's important to be proactive more than reactive when it comes to this sort of thing.
photo:Car Care Council
Their goal: to educate the Canadian motorist about some simple and effective ways they can reduce fuel consumption in their vehicles. They've asked Kelly Williams, a veteran CASCAR racer and former presenter on Canada's Worst Driver, to be their spokesperson.
I recently had the opportunity to interview her while she passed through Sudbury, Ontario. We talked about how some simple maintenance can help drivers save at the pumps.
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| Kelly Williams, Car Care Canada spokesperson |
KW - There are several. For instance, a car's tires lose about a pound of air per month--and a car with under-inflated tires can use up to 15% more fuel. More than 75% of cars on the road don't have proper tire pressure, either. That's also dangerous in terms of steering response, and can pose a safety issue.
As another example, a misfiring spark plug can cause your engine to burn more fuel, and so can a clogged air filter--often significantly.
JP - Up North, many people like to work on their own cars--myself included. What sort of tips or recommendations could you give the do-it-yourself mechanics?
KW - Because of the environment and geography, Canadians generally need to follow the "severe maintenance schedule" in their owner's manual. Getting into the practice of doing regular checks to fluid levels, belts, and proper operation of other components is a good idea, as it gets drivers looking for possible problems that could cost more money down the line.
Vehicle checkups are a great habit to teach your kids too.
When it comes to getting rid of used engine oil, coolant or batteries, most mechanic shops will be happy to help you out. Just give them a call.
JP - But obviously, not all drivers have got the time or skill to work on or inspect their own vehicles.
KW - Sure, so that's what the technician is for. You go to the Vet for advice on your pet, and you go to the doctor for advice about your body. For advice on your car, that's what the dealerships are for.
JP - There are so many options coming into play for new car buyers to save fuel, like diesels, hybrids and cylinder deactivation. But what can you tell people interested in used cars?
KW - Be sure to have a used car inspected first. This will cost anything from $25 upwards, but it's peace of mind. Looking at the interior can also give you an indication of how well the car was maintained under the hood. If possible, get the maintenance records too--this way you can see if it will need new parts installed to run at its best.
JP - That's a lot of talk about maintenance!
KW - But cars, like your body, need to be properly maintained. It's like if you go to the gym and keep healthy, your body will run at its best. If you don't take care of it, it won't. It's important to be proactive more than reactive when it comes to this sort of thing.
photo:Car Care Council