Montreal broke another record this weekend and on Sunday gas prices reached $2.23-a-litre. It is now hovering around 2.15, but it could be worse – in parts of BC its gas prices are at $2.36 a litre and Toronto's prices are still relatively low, with highs of $2.11.
10 Easy Tricks to Save on Gas this Summer
Here are a few tricks to learn how to use less gas as part of the solution, hopefully.
1. Inflate your tires!
Underinflated tires are one of the main sources of wasted gas. They make your engine work harder against the added drag, not to mention a less comfortable ride for you! Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure, which is usually listed inside the door on the driver’s side. Each tire should also have a marking to indicate its recommended pressure
2. Vehicle Maintenance
If you’re behind on vehicle maintenance, your car is likely burning more gas than it needs to (and possibly oil, too). Car manufacturers always recommend to change the oil every so often, but other problems can also make your car less efficient.
3. Don’t Idle
If you’re waiting for something or someone in your car, don’t let the motor run! A good rule of thumb is that if you’re stopped for more than two minutes, you should turn off your engine to save gas.
4. Slow Down!
This applies mostly to highway driving. Did you know that you can save up to 20% on gas costs simply by slowing down? For most cars, driving at 120 km/h or even 100 km/h uses up more gas per kilometre than necessary. Try driving at 90 km/h, which is the most fuel efficient speed in most situations. Driving slower than 90 km/h will also waste gas…
5. Windows Up!
Doggo may love sticking his nose out the window, but it’s costing you the big bucks! Open windows create added drag, which in turn reduces your fuel mileage. It’s not so bad in the city, where it’s stop-and-go anyways, but on the highway, keep those windows rolled up for fuel economy.
6. Travel Light
Sometimes, this is impossible if you’re bringing the whole family for a long trip! However, you should get in the habit of removing any unnecessary weight from your car. Once you’ve reached your destination, make sure to unpack everything so that your next few drives before heading home aren’t as costly. Don’t forget to remove your bike rack if you have one, because they cause added wind resistance
7. Steady Does It…
Stop-and-go driving is a HUGE waste of gas! Every time you brake and accelerate, you’re consuming fuel unnecessarily. Try to drive smoothly by anticipating where you’ll need to stop or slow down. Lift your foot off the gas pedal to slow down before resorting to the brakes, especially on the highway. You might be surprised by how your car naturally slows down without braking.
8. Climate Control
Climate control (heating and air conditioning) is very gas-hungry. Try to keep it to a minimum to save on gas, and once you arrive in an urban area, turn off the A/C and roll down the windows!
9. Cruise Control
On the highway, cruise control is your best friend to save on gas! Use it to keep a steady speed on long flat surfaces; it’s a sure-fire way to save gas. However, if you’re driving in a hilly, steep area, it’s best to turn it off and use your feet instead.
10. Keep Your Distance
This is especially true on the highway, and it’s also a safety issue! Increase the distance between your car and others to avoid braking unnecessarily when they slow down.
