By incorporating some simple changes to your driving habits, you can significantly improve your fuel efficiency. In addition, this can translate to saving money on gas and reducing your environmental impact. We recommend putting the following five tips into practice:
- Lay off the lead foot: Aggressive driving habits like rapid acceleration and harsh braking consume extra fuel. Instead, increase speed gently, and maintain a steady speed whenever possible.
- Lighten the load: Your engine must work harder the more weight it carries. Remove unnecessary items from the trunk of your car and avoid overloading the car.
- Check tire pressure: Tires too low on air increase rolling resistance causing your engine to work harder. Tire pressure should be checked regularly (about once a month). Inflate the tire to the recommended level in your owner’s manual or on the sticker of the driver’s side door jamb.
- Turn it off: Whenever possible, turn your engine off if you are stopped longer than 30 seconds. Fact: Idling a car for just 10 seconds wastes more gas than restarting the engine.
- Maintain your car: Oil changes and tune-ups keep your engine running in optimum condition. Dirty air filters and worn spark plugs can significantly affect fuel economy.
Oil Change Recommendation:
- Conventional oil: every 5000 kilometers (3000 miles)
- Synthetic oil: every 8000 kilometers (5000 miles)
Note: Manufacturers of modern synthetic lubricants recommend oil changes in intervals of 5000-7000 miles. Full synthetic motor oils might go as far as 15 000 miles. But the cleaner the oil, the better the engine runs, and oil is cheaper than an engine!
Tune Ups Recommendation:
- Every 5000 to 16 000 kilometers (3000 to 9000 miles) depending on the make, model and driving conditions of your car.
- Consult your mechanic or owner’s manual for the schedule of your vehicle.
Transmission Service Recommendation:
- Every 50 000 to 100 000 kilometers (30 000 miles to 60 000 miles).
- There is no harm in changing your fluids early.
Oils we use and recommend:
WELCOME | CASTROL CANADA – ENGLISH
Synthetic Motor Oil, Oil Filters & Other Lubricants | Pennzoil
Tip number 4. is very interesting!
I guess we it’s better, and cheaper to park the car than sit in a drive through line.