Super Admin
Gasoline prices are soaring all across the country, and
Canadians are once again feeling the pinch at the pumps. According to fuel price aggregator GasBuddy,
gas prices are expected to hit a four-year high in 2018 off the back of rising
international demand, an appreciating dollar and a weaker than average loonie.
With fuel prices forecasted to rise by an extra
5 cents per gallon over the remainder of the year, car owners will have to
take matters into their own hands if they’re going to soften the impact on
their wallets. Thankfully, there are a slew of strategies available that will
allow you to increase your vehicle’s fuel economy and make the most out of the
gas you’ve got.
At 123Quanto, our automotive experts have compiled this
handy list of tips to help you with your fuel efficiency.
An average tire will lose about 1 PSI of pressure every
month, with even greater losses expected in the winter due to the thermal
contraction of air inside the tires. So
if you’re wondering why you’re always ending up with flat tires despite the absence
of any obvious punctures or tears, then a lack of regular pressure tests is likely
to be blamed.
Even without the threat of an impending flat tire, a less
than optimal inflation will cause increased rolling resistance and drag on your
vehicle, which inevitably translates to higher fuel usage. To keep these factors in check, you should habitually
check your tire’s PSI against the recommended inflation level provided in your
car manual.
Tires that are under-inflated by just 10 PSI can cost you over
8 KmPG, that’s real money you could be putting back in your pocket with a
simple routine of weekly check-ups.
If your car doubles up as a storage container for all your
excess baggage then you might be adding a few extra digits to your annual fuelling
expenses as well. Not only does extra weight cause your engine
to work harder to move the vehicle, it can also cause subtle imbalances to
develop in your vehicle due to added weight on the rear axle.
To minimize these concerns, carry out a thorough spring
cleaning of your car interior to remove any unnecessary supplies and
accessories. At the same time, do make sure to keep any objects you do require on
a regular basis, to save yourself a few wasted trips back home.
An unchecked idle engine can consume up to half a gallon of
fuel every hour, so if you’re stuck in traffic for any longer than half a
minute you’re far better off turning off the engine altogether. Don’t worry
about warming the engine either, as long as you’re driving a well-maintained
modern vehicle, the car should be ready to go within 20 seconds of turning the
ignition.
If you’re in the market for a new car and you’re looking for
fuel efficiency, try to find a vehicle with automatic stop-start technology.
This handy feature can save you up to 5% in fuel consumption every year.
Chances are you don’t pay much attention to the gas cap on
your car, but if you do, you’d notice that there’s a rubber sealing on the part
that’s responsible for creating an airtight barrier over your gas tank. The
purpose of this barrier is to prevent oxygen from leaking into your fuel,
because the more air that enters into your gas tank, the more gas your engine
burns.
Most modern cars will have sensors which will notify you if
this seal is broken, but even if your car doesn’t have this handy feature
on-board you should keep a close eye on your fuel cap. While a new fuel cap may
cost you $20-$30, an oxygen-rich gas mixture could reduce your fuel efficiency
by up to 20% over the course of the year.
Taking your car into the shop at recommended intervals can
do wonders for its fuel efficiency.
·
A clean air filter can increase fuel efficiency
by up to 14%
·
Old motor oil will create more and more friction
on your engine over time, replacing this lubricant with a recommended synthetic
oil will decrease this load drastically, and increase fuel efficiency by up to
4%
·
A bad
spark plug can decrease fuel efficiency by up to 30%, a well-versed mechanic
will pick up on the need for replacement right away and save you money in the
process.
Map out your daily activities in advance and combine errands
into a single trip where possible to lighten the burden. If you need to leave 30 minutes earlier or
later to avoid rush hour traffic on your commute, then incorporate these
adjustments into your schedule. By the same token, if you’re able to find
alternative routes with less traffic and fewer stoplights, then make use of
these roads instead.
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