When I wrote this article, a liter of gasoline retailed for $1,16. Over the past few weeks, oil prices and the Canadian dollar have been mimicking each other's moves, the former reaching $100 per barrel. Visibly, the situation won't go back to what it was five or ten years ago; there might be sporadic dips but, over the long run, gas prices will keep rising. Therefore, consumers should stop complaining now and take action to reduce their fuel consumption.
Just how exactly does one manage to pull that off without changing vehicles? First, you have to modify your driving habits to save fuel and reduce the costs of using your car. Some people reconsider the need to go on vacation with their big SUV or they cancel family plans during certain holidays. There are other measures you can take, such as staying at home to watch a movie instead of going to the theater. And why not simply talk over the phone instead of driving long distances to meet the ones you love? Okay, I may be exaggerating a little. Still, there are ways to make sure that your automobile burns less fuel and produces less greenhouse gas emissions.
Take care of your vehicle!
This might sound simplistic, but taking good care of your vehicle on a regular basis can help you save huge amounts of fuel, maybe up to 50 percent. For many Canadians, winter came early this year, so have your car checked out if you haven't already. Make sure that the filters and spark plugs are in good condition. Furthermore, when installing your winter tires, ask a mechanic to analyze the geometry and alignment: having the appropriate settings could result in a 10-percent fuel saving. Also, check your tire pressure regularly; under-inflated tires can increase your car's fuel consumption by up to 6 percent.
Stop carrying unnecessary items!
How many people keep unnecessary items inside their trunk? Whether it's a set of golf clubs or a hockey bag, these objects make your car heavier for absolutely no reason. Indeed, they can easily be left at home when you don't need them. And I'm not even counting all the smaller stuff that you store in the various compartments throughout the cabin. Remember that 100 kilos of additional weight lowers fuel economy by 0.5 L/100 km.
Likewise, many drivers use a roof box to carry their luggage. It's okay when you're on a two-week vacation, but for your daily chores and activities, do you really need it? Not only does this accessory adds weight to your car, but it also increase its drag coefficient. And more drag means more fuel is required. The same holds true with a roof-mounted bicycle rack, which lowers fuel economy by a whopping 3 L/100 km. It also goes without saying that you should never keep a trailer attached to your vehicle if you don't plan on using it.
Windows down or A/C on?
In low-speed city driving, it's more fuel-efficient to drive with the windows down. However, if you can't bear the heat, you'll have to turn the air conditioning on... and burn more fuel. On the highway, it's preferable to keep the windows up since the wind that enters the vehicle creates a significant drag force that leads to a higher fuel consumption. Here, you save more by turning the A/C on.
Just how exactly does one manage to pull that off without changing vehicles? First, you have to modify your driving habits to save fuel and reduce the costs of using your car. Some people reconsider the need to go on vacation with their big SUV or they cancel family plans during certain holidays. There are other measures you can take, such as staying at home to watch a movie instead of going to the theater. And why not simply talk over the phone instead of driving long distances to meet the ones you love? Okay, I may be exaggerating a little. Still, there are ways to make sure that your automobile burns less fuel and produces less greenhouse gas emissions.
Take care of your vehicle!
This might sound simplistic, but taking good care of your vehicle on a regular basis can help you save huge amounts of fuel, maybe up to 50 percent. For many Canadians, winter came early this year, so have your car checked out if you haven't already. Make sure that the filters and spark plugs are in good condition. Furthermore, when installing your winter tires, ask a mechanic to analyze the geometry and alignment: having the appropriate settings could result in a 10-percent fuel saving. Also, check your tire pressure regularly; under-inflated tires can increase your car's fuel consumption by up to 6 percent.
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| Regular maintenance is one way to make your car burn less fuel and produce less GHG emissions. |
Stop carrying unnecessary items!
How many people keep unnecessary items inside their trunk? Whether it's a set of golf clubs or a hockey bag, these objects make your car heavier for absolutely no reason. Indeed, they can easily be left at home when you don't need them. And I'm not even counting all the smaller stuff that you store in the various compartments throughout the cabin. Remember that 100 kilos of additional weight lowers fuel economy by 0.5 L/100 km.
Likewise, many drivers use a roof box to carry their luggage. It's okay when you're on a two-week vacation, but for your daily chores and activities, do you really need it? Not only does this accessory adds weight to your car, but it also increase its drag coefficient. And more drag means more fuel is required. The same holds true with a roof-mounted bicycle rack, which lowers fuel economy by a whopping 3 L/100 km. It also goes without saying that you should never keep a trailer attached to your vehicle if you don't plan on using it.
Windows down or A/C on?
In low-speed city driving, it's more fuel-efficient to drive with the windows down. However, if you can't bear the heat, you'll have to turn the air conditioning on... and burn more fuel. On the highway, it's preferable to keep the windows up since the wind that enters the vehicle creates a significant drag force that leads to a higher fuel consumption. Here, you save more by turning the A/C on.