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5 Eco-driving Techniques To Save You Money On Fuel

The way you drive affects how much fuel your car uses. For this reason, Eco-driving was invented in 1998 by The Swedish National Driving School as a method of driving a vehicle with the goal of using less fuel and having less of an impact on the environment. Since then, Eco-driving has become a global phenomenon. Read on to find out how Eco-driving can help you lower your fuel use and cost, reduce the wear on your car, and ultimately reduce your C02 emissions.  

Eco-driving Techniques:

Don’t Slam On The Brakes

When possible, avoid speeding up and slowing down too quickly as sudden acceleration and braking wears down your vehicle while increasing fuel consumption. By slamming on the brakes, you can overheat your brake pads or cause your rotors to warp. This can be costly to repair!

Accelerate Gently

The harder your engine works, the more fuel it requires. This is exactly the case during hard acceleration, so learn to save on fuel by simply easing onto the accelerator pedal. 

Toyota, for example, suggests taking 5 seconds to accelerate to 20 kmph from a stop. The key here is to remember to lightly accelerate so that you can save more fuel and money.

Regulate Your Speed

According to Natural Resources Canada, if you change your speed back and forth from 75 kmph to 85 kmph every 18 seconds, you risk increasing fuel usage by 20%. Driving experts suggest that you maintain a steady speed and consider using cruise control, for as long as you can do it safely, of course. By regulating your speed and maintaining a steady momentum, you can expect your car to use much less fuel. 

Reduce Excess Weight

It makes sense that the heavier the vehicle, the more fuel it will require to move. Car manufactures know this, and have introduced innovative ways of reducing the overall weight of a vehicle to reduce its fuel consumption.

When purchasing a new vehicle, consider a hatchback, or a smaller type vehicle that will still meet your needs but save you money on fuel costs in the long run. Efficiency is key: the less unnecessary stuff packed into your car, the less fuel it will require to go from point A to B.

Service Your Vehicle

By keeping your vehicle regularly maintained, you can keep your car working for many years to come while saving on fuel costs. It is no wonder that a vehicle that is not tuned up and maintained can use up to 50% more fuel and produce 50% more emissions than a vehicle that is well maintained. 

Tire inflation and pressure is especially important to mention here. Your car’s tire that is underinflated by 10 psi can increase your fuel consumption 0.5% to 1.0%. 

When it comes to tires, cold weather can impact tire pressure as air becomes denser when it is cold. This is a normal thing in Canada, so be sure to check tire psi when the weather first turns cold to ensure proper inflation pressures.

If you would like to know more on how safe driving can save you not only on fuel but on your insurance premium, please contact us today so that we can meet all of your insurance needs.