SCC > Climate in Crisis > Tips for Fuel-Efficient Driving

Be a Fuel-Efficient Driver

If you are going to drive a car, here are a few tips to increase the fuel-efficiency of any vehicle you choose to drive.

Install a Fuel Consumption Gauge

Fuel consumption gauges are an easy way to see just how much gas you are using and how much it is costing to drive. They measure the efficiency of the engine at any given speed and instantaneously give a reading on the amount of fuel being used. These should be mandatory in all cars. See this example: http://www.scangauge.com/

Drive the posted speed limit

With most vehicles, increasing your cruising speed from 100 km/h to 120 km/h will increase fuel consumption by about 20 %. On the other hand, reducing your speed from 100 km/h to 90 km/h improves fuel economy by about 10 %.

Help these tips become law!

Encourage the Federal Government to gradually reduce the uppermost speed limit nationally first to 110, then 100 and then 90 and make it mandatory for all new cars to have a fuel consumption gauge.

More tips

Adapted from Natural Resources Canada's Tips for Safe Fuel-Efficient Driving (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/personal/driving/autosmart-methods.cfm?attr=8)

1. Don't drive aggressively – quick starts, hard stops and aggressive driving can increase fuel consumption by up to 37%.

2. Don't idle – when you let your vehicle idle longer than 10 seconds, you burn more fuel than you would restarting the engine.

3. Drive only when you need to – leave your vehicle at home whenever possible by walking, biking, blading, carpooling or taking the bus to nearby locations.

4. Plan ahead – If you have to drive, plan the most fuel-efficient route in advance.

5. Use your vehicle's air conditioner sparingly – using your air conditioner in stop-and-go traffic can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20%. Try opening the windows or fresh air vents to cool your vehicle.

6. Measure the inflation level of your tires once a month. A single tire under-inflated by just 56 kPa (8psi) can increase your vehicle's fuel consumption by 4%.

7. Use cruise control – on dry, flat wide-open highways, use cruise control, to help improve fuel efficiency by maintaining an even speed.

8. Maintain your vehicle properly – a poorly maintained vehicle consumes more fuel, produces higher levels of emissions, requires expensive repairs, and has a low resale value.

9. Safe driving is fuel-efficient driving