Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Drive smart and save fuel
High gas prices make saving fuel a priority. Increase your vehicle's fuel efficiency by following these tips:
Reduce your highway speed
Speeding costs money! Many people drive 10 to 20 kilometers
over the speed limit. When you drive 120 kilometers per hour instead
of 100 kilometers per hour you use 20 per cent more fuel to get to
your destination. It also increases the risk of being involved in
a serious collision.
Don’t use a heavy foot
Accelerating quickly from a stop and applying your brakes suddenly uses up to 39 per cent more fuel than controlled driving.*
Regular servicing saves fuel
A well-maintained vehicle is a safe and efficient vehicle. Dirty plugs and dirty air and fuel filters make for an inefficient engine that wastes fuel.
Have proper tire pressure
Low tire pressure increases tire wear and fuel consumption by up to four per cent. Always use the "maximum load" tire pressure indicated in your owner's manual.
Don't idle
If you are waiting for passengers – turn off your engine. If you're going to be idling for more than 10 seconds, it's actually more fuel efficient to shut off your engine and restart it when it's time to go.
* Courtesy of Natural Resources Canada
For more information, watch
The 60-Second Driver on CTV, or visit the following sections on this website:
- Fuel Consumption in Driving Tips
- Tire Inflation in Driving Tips
- You can access the 60-Second video on Tire Inflation directly
