fuel
Navigation

Steps To Great Fuel Savings

Below, you'll find extensive information on leading fuel articles and products to help you on your way to success.

Steps To Great Fuel Savings
By Bob McLellan

With the price of gasoline often over a dollar a litre in Canada (four dollars a gallon), the cost of filling up the gas tank is not a pleasant experience. I began to think about what I have been doing to save gas dollars and also to wonder about what others are saying regarding ways I could improve my gas mileage and keep some money in my pocket. The following are steps I have found that would accomplish my goal. These are not in any special order, but I would suggest you make a list of the things that you could take action on to help you increase your mileage and get you greater savings.

1. Remove any unnecessary weight from inside your vehicle. Make sure you check the trunk. If you drive in winter conditions, remove the snow and ice build-up on top and under your vehicle. This accumulation, if not removed, can add significant weight that your vehicle must carry. Snow and ice on the upper surfaces can increase wind resistance and cut into savings.
2. Reduce your acceleration speeds. Fast acceleration uses more gasoline than moderate acceleration. Hurry is a big enemy of savings. If you let up on the acceleration speed you will reduce your gasoline consumption.
3. Reduce your top highway speed. You will improve your economy if you travel at 100 kph rather than at 120 kph. You do have a say in your savings by making the decision to simply slow down a little.
4. Check your tire pressure regularly. Make sure the pressure is inflated to the manufacturer's recommendation. Uninflated tires use more gas. This does not take very long to do and could mean less trips to to gas pumps.
5. Reduce your idle time. If you will be waiting for someone for more than one minute, turn the engine off. It will take less to start it than to keep it running. Remote control starters are great for warming your car on a cold day before you head out, but you pay for that in increased costs.
6. Avoid quick stops and starts. Watch ahead and anticipate what the flow of traffic is doing. You waste when you rush from one stoplight to the next.
7. When highway driving keep your speed constant. Use cruise whenever possible. The less flucuation of speed the better your economy meaning greater savings.
8. Plan your local trips before you leave home. Complete multiple errands on one trip. If you can save an extra trip out, you have just saved gasoline and kept money in your pocket.
9. When you are making multiple errands on a trip, try to park your vehicle where you can walk to the various destinations. Every time you do not start and move the vehicle it saves ...

Please scroll down the page for the rest of the article.

you gas.
10. If you are looking to take a longer trip, plan ahead. Use a map or online map service to check for alternative routes that my be shorter or have less stop and go situations. Listen to local road reports on the radio for traffic problems and take an another route if traffic is stop and go or just plain stopped. A GPS is handy for times like this to help you get to your destination. Remember that the shortest distance may not be the most economical to travel if there are lots of hills and or small towns and villages. Remember you consume more gasoline climbing hills and changing speeds.
11. When you see a hill ahead, build up speed before you reach it, then maintain your speed on the slope. If you accelerate on the hill you will use much more fuel.
12. Give yourself extra time to complete your trip so that you are not forced to rush to get to your destination. Higher speeds in an attempt to arrive at a destination not only increase your consumption, but generally your stress levels as well, especially if the unexpected happens.
13. If possible avoid driving during rush hour and high traffic volume periods. You are more likely to encounter issues that will reduce your economy.
14. When possible, fill your gas tank in the morning or evening. There are fewer vapours generated when the temperatures are cooler. You get more gasoline for your money as the vapours are collected and returned to the service station tanks. Greater savings begin at the pump.
15. Watch for the opportunity to buy your gas when the price is down. Do not wait until your gas tank is near empty and you are forced to pay whatever the price is. Buy from the gas station that is offering you a quality product for a few cents less. Over time these small savings add up.
16. Do not top up your tank, especially in hot temperatures. Gasoline expands as it heats and may run out your overflow,costing you money.
17. Remember to make sure your gas cap is securely tightened after you fill it and that it fits properly. Your vehicle is designed to operate at its best when the gas cap properly seals.
18. Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and tuned. Replace your air filters on a regular basis. A properly tuned and maintained vehicle will increase your gas mileage bringing you greater savings.