When having gas is a good thing

Gasoline prices at well over $1 a litre is plenty incentive to get people thinking about ways to save money at the pumps. It’s been this way since Hurricane Katrina sent gas prices soaring in 2005.

People love finding ‘lower’ prices – and most will dutifully drive an extra few blocks to save a fraction of a cent per litre (this is completely redundant, if you consider how much it costs to drive the extra distance).

Satisfying your budget and filling your tank at the same time has practically become a national sport. The reality is; however, that ‘if you pumped 40 litres into your car’s gas tank every week, a savings of half a cent a litre would net you enough to buy a large coffee — in about two months.’  (CBC)

Beside the obvious (read: finding reasons to leave your vehicle parked will save plenty of fuel…) here are good tips to help you put off filling your tank:

Slow down. This is probably the easiest way to save fuel. The speed limit on most Canadian highways is 100 kilometres an hour. Motorists who keep to that speed find they are passed by most of the traffic, but tests show they’ll also have better gas mileage. The CAA and Natural Resources Canada say it takes 20% more fuel to go the same distance at 120 kilometres an hour than it does at 100 km/h. Any faster and a higher percentage of your fuel will be wasted to overcome air friction.

Anticipate stops so you avoid sudden braking, and take a long view of the road ahead, coasting safely to an intersection in front of you where you see traffic stopped.

The CAA advises motorists to use their AC ‘sparingly.’ NRC advises people to use their flow-through ventilation on the highway and roll down the windows and open the air vents to keep you comfortable. That air conditioner is a burden that uses fuel. However, it is better to use air conditioning, if necessary, when travelling at higher speeds. Open windows increase aerodynamic drag and, inevitably, fuel consumption with it. 

Keep tires properly inflated. Having tires inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s maximum recommended pressure (not the maximum pressure indicated on the tire’s sidewall) can improve gas mileage by over 5%, while periodic wheel alignments can help improve fuel economy by up to 10%. Check tire pressure regularly, especially after a sharp drop in temperature. Putting in too much air though is bad for the tires so look at what’s posted on the tire and keep to the recommendations. Also having the proper sized tires is important for your particular car. A larger tire that doesn’t have a special rubber compound designed to improve fuel economy has more rolling resistance than a comparable smaller tire, and this can lower fuel economy. 

Multitask. You’ve got to go pick up your kid from ballet or swimming practice. What else can you get done on this trip? Pick up groceries or … gassing up? May as well get it all done in one go. Combine your errands into one trip, rather than taking multiple trips from home. Organize your stops so they’re near each other and so you don’t retrace your path. You may even be able to park in one central spot and walk between some of your stops rather than driving and parking at each one. Plan your trips so you go out during less-congested times of day. When there’s less traffic, you’re more apt to be able to drive smoothly.

Beware of gadgets, gizmos, or additives that claim to improve gas mileage. They don’t work.

Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained with regular servicing to keep it operating at peak efficiency. An inefficient engine - with fouled spark plugs, for example - won’t make optimum use of fuel. Be sure the air and fuel filters are clean. Put in new ones if they’re not. Try high performance parts when certain items need changing - including the air filter(s). A new oxygen sensor alone can improve gas mileage by as much as 15%, according to technical experts. Find a mechanic that you trust and ask them for other tricks of the trade.

Your gas nozzle stops because your tank is full. DON’T keep clicking it to fill it up! You are wasting your money. The fuel flow can’t keep up with the readout - in fact the $$ readout spins faster for less fuel. 

Clean out that trunk and back cargo area. Take out unneeded items that only add weight to your vehicle. Extra weight decreases gas mileage. Every 100 kilograms of unnecessary weight adds 0.5 litre per 100 km to your vehicle’s fuel consumption.

In the same vein, don’t top off the tank. We aren’t suggesting that you should risk running out of gas, but you may be surprised by how far your car will go even if your gas light is on. Gas weighs almost as much as water, consequently it burns more fuel to have a fuller tank.

Drive as small and efficient a vehicle as is practical. Bear in mind, always, that bigger vehicles, bigger engines, four-wheel drive and lots of optional equipment add to a vehicle’s weight and, as a result, increase fuel consumption. Streamlined cars and trucks are more efficient. Don’t add a bunch of extra lights, roof racks, ornaments, spoilers, and mud flaps etc. to look cool – they’ll just slow you down. If you drive a pickup truck, don’t have a cap on the back and have nothing in the flatbed, put the tailgate down. It works.

Road and weather conditions have a role in the fuel economy of your vehicle. Driving into a 30 km/h headwind can increase fuel consumption by as much as 6%. Driving up a mountain road with a 7% grade can cut fuel economy by as much as 25%. Driving on gravel and in slush and snow also requires more fuel.

Don’t drive around with all your windows down.

Stop using your car to zip to the corner store. Short runs where cars haven’t reached operating temperature use more fuel. Do you really need the car to go to the store to pick up milk? You won’t have road rage when you walk to the grocery store and you won’t have to worry about a parking spot either.

Plan ahead and use maps! This can save you from getting lost and wasting gas.

Don’t drive beside a transport truck too long. The extra air it’s pushing aside is collapsing on your car causing it to work harder.

Excessive idling (like warming up your vehicle on a cold day) wastes a lot of gas and can be hard on your engine. Natural Resources Canada suggests that if you’re going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds (except in traffic), turn off the engine. Don’t waste fuel by sitting in that drive-thru lane at your favourite fast-food outlet. Turn off the engine when stationary or, better still: park and go inside. Letting your engine idle for more than 10 seconds burns more fuel than turning it off and starting it again. Idling engines plainly waste fuel and money, and are clearly damaging to the environment.

One of the most important measures in reducing your fuel costs is to compare fuel economy ratings when you shop for a vehicle. The best way to achieve this is to take a careful look at the clear and comprehensive EnerGuide label, which should be carried on all new vehicles less than 8,500lbs in Canada. Better yet consider buying a hybrid car next time you are in the market.

Online shopping saves you from running around comparing prices, or picking up things across town that might make more sense to either buy closer or online.

For large gatherings like family reunions and church picnics, organize a carpool. If the distance to these events is long, Budget Rent a Car suggests even renting a 15-person van to maximize fuel savings vs. driving a number of separate vehicles in these circumstances.