We count on our cars to get us where we want to go, when we want to go. That sense of freedom is important to us, but we also want to be sure we do our best to conserve natural resources for future generations. Here are a few simple steps you can take to meet these goals.
An engine tune-up can improve car fuel economy by an average of 1.61 km per 3.8 litres. Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires can decrease fuel economy by up to 1.61 km per 3.8 litres.
The faster you drive, the more gasoline your car uses. Driving at 120 km per hour rather than 100 km per hour reduces fuel economy by about 4.8 km per litre.
Abrupt starts require about twice as much gasoline as gradual starts.
Unnecessary speed ups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to 3.2 km per litre. Stay alert and drive steadily, not erratically. Keep a reasonable, safe distance from the car ahead of you and anticipate traffic conditions.
The use of air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by as much as 3.2 km per litre at certain speeds and under certain operating conditions.
Combine short trips into one to do all your errands. Avoid traveling during rush hours if possible, to reduce fuel consumption patterns such as starting and stopping and numerous idling periods. Consider joining a car pool.