Want more tips for getting the most out of your vehicle? Here are some blogs you should check out:
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1. Adjust the Way You Drive
- Ease up on the accelerator and brakes. Hard acceleration and sharp braking are where vehicles consume the most fuel. Accelerating gradually from a stop and anticipating traffic ahead so you can slow down gently rather than braking suddenly makes a noticeable difference. The Government of Canada's fuel-efficient driving guidance suggests taking about five seconds to accelerate to 20 km/h from a stop for maximum efficiency.
- Use cruise control on the highway. Small, repeated variations in speed, even subtle ones, add up over a long drive. Tests have shown that fluctuating between 75 and 85 km/h every 18 seconds can increase fuel use by as much as 20%. Cruise control keeps your speed steady and takes the guesswork out of highway driving.
- Avoid unnecessary idling. Most modern vehicles only need about 30 to 60 seconds to warm up before driving. An average vehicle with a 3-litre engine burns through more than a cup of fuel for every 10 minutes it sits idling. If you're stopped for more than a minute and it's safe to do so, turning the engine off is the smarter move.
2. Keep Your Vehicle in Good Shape
- Check your tire pressure monthly. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, which means the engine has to work harder to move the vehicle. Driving with tires under-inflated by just 56 kPa (8 psi) can increase fuel consumption by up to 4% and shorten tire life by more than 10,000 kilometres. The correct pressure for your vehicle is printed on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb.
- Stay on top of oil changes and filters. Fresh engine oil reduces internal friction, and a clean air filter helps the engine breathe properly. Both contribute to more efficient combustion and lower fuel consumption, especially relevant on short city trips where the engine never fully warms up.
- Get your alignment checked. Wheels that are out of alignment increase rolling resistance and cause uneven tire wear. A proper alignment improves handling, extends tire life, and can reduce fuel consumption.
3. Plan Smarter and Shop for Better Prices
- Combine your errands. Multiple short trips with a cold engine burn significantly more fuel than a single longer trip where the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature. Planning your route to hit several stops in one go, like going for groceries, the gym, and picking up kids from school, all of this reduces total driving time and cold starts.
- Track gas prices and fill up strategically. Prices at the pump fluctuate regularly, and filling up when prices dip rather than when you're running on empty puts you in control. Many Canadian cities see lower prices mid-week, so topping up between Monday and Wednesday rather than waiting for the weekend can save a few cents per litre consistently. Gas price tracking apps make it easy to keep an eye on what's available along your regular routes.
- Remove accessories you're not using. Roof racks, bike carriers, and cargo boxes create aerodynamic drag that can increase highway fuel consumption by as much as 20%. If they're not being used, taking them off is an easy win.
Keep Your Vehicle in Good Shape with Downtown Ford
You won't notice a dramatic difference after a single tank, but consistently applying these habits adds up to hundreds of dollars in savings over the course of a year. If your vehicle is due for a service appointment, the team at Downtown Ford is here to help keep it running at its most efficient. Book your service appointment online or give us a call today at 416-603-9156!
