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You can achieve additional fuel savings and reduce your vehicle’s impact on the environment.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.
Service your vehicle regularly, poorly maintained vehicle can use up to 15% more fuel and create more emissions.
Check fluid levels at least once a month.
Check and change the engine oil, engine coolant, transmission fluid and power steering fluid according to the manufacturer’s recommendations in your owner’s manual. Also check around and under the vehicle for fluid leaks.
Measure your tire pressure at least once a month.
Inflate cold tires to the recommended pressure. The correct tire inflation information for your vehicle is usually indicated near the driver’s door, in the glove compartment or in the owner’s manual. Properly inflated tires will last longer, make your vehicle safer to drive and save fuel.
Reduce idling.
If you are going to be parked for more than 60 seconds just turn the engine off. Unnecessary idling wastes money and fuel, and produces GHGs that contribute to climate change.
Warm up your vehicle by driving it at a moderate speed.
Drive the vehicle to warm it up, rather than idling the engine. Usually no more than 60 seconds of idling is needed
on cold winter days, provided your windows are defrosted and your vehicle is free of snow.
Use a block heater in the winter to warm your engine before starting.
Cold engine is at its worst for fuel consumption, engine wear and exhaust emissions. Block heaters can improve overall winter fuel economy by as much as 10% by warming the engine, coolant and oil. Use an automatic timer to turn on the block heater for no more than two hours before you plan to drive.
Do not overuse your remote starter.
People with remote starters sometimes start their vehicles long before they are ready to drive. Remote starts can result in needless idling and wasted fuel. Limit remote car starter and unnecessary warm-up times to 60 seconds.
Avoid speeding.
Increasing your highway speed from 100 km/h to 120 km/h can increase your fuel consumption by up to 20%.
Use Cruise Control.
Under normal driving conditions, cruise control saves fuel on the highway by keeping your speed constant and avoiding inadvertent speeding. Check your owner’s manual regarding the safe operation of your vehicle’s cruise control system.
Use your air conditioning sparingly.
Air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by up to 20% due to the extra load on the engine. Use your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation on the highway, or open a window during city driving. If you use your vehicle’s air conditioning
set the controls to a comfort level that allows the system to shut off once the vehicle’s interior is cool.
Remove unnecessary weight.
If you add weight to your vehicle for extra traction in the winter months, remember to remove it when the snow melts. Unnecessary weight can result in wasted fuel and needless CO2 emissions.
Take off the roof rack.
Loaded or empty roof rack increases fuel consumption through aerodynamic drag. A removable roof rack, installed only when needed, is your best option.
Adopt fuel-efficient driving habits.
Accelerate smoothly, as abrupt starts and stops waste fuel. Plan your driving and look ahead of traffic. Anticipate problems and keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead to avoid sudden braking.
Make one long trip instead of several short trips.
Plan and combine your trips as taking short trips less than 5 km burns more fuel, regardless of the season, because the engine and drivetrain do not reach their most efficient operating temperatures.
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