5 Fuel-Efficient Driving Techniques

According to Natural Resources Canada, there are five golden rules to fuel-efficient driving.

By adopting the ‘Fuel-Efficient Five’ driving techniques, fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by up to 25 percent. Not only does fuel-efficient driving save on fuel, it also reduces wear on your vehicle and promotes safer driving.

The “Fuel-Efficient Five” are listed below:

1. Accelerate gently: For city drivers, about half the fuel your vehicle consumes is just used to accelerate. To maximize fuel efficiency, take five seconds to accelerate your vehicle up to 20 km/h from a stop.
   

2. Maintain a steady speed: Sudden dips or bursts in speed increase fuel use. In fact, according to NRCAN, tests have shown that varying your speed up and down between 75 km/h and 85 km/h every 18 seconds can increase your fuel use by 20 percent.
   

3. Anticipate traffic: While driving in the city, always scan ahead two city blocks in front of you. By scanning the road ahead, you can anticipate road disruptions and plan your manoeuvres well in advance. According to NRCAN, “the principle behind this tip calls on drivers to maintain the vehicle’s momentum and avoid coming to a full stop unless absolutely necessary”. Not only does anticipating traffic reduce fuel costs, but it also limits wear and tear on brakes and tires.
   

4. Avoid high speeds: Most cars, SUVs, and pick-up trucks operate most fuel efficiently when travelling between 50 km and 80 km/h. Above this optimal speed, vehicles consume more fuel the faster they go. For example, at 120 km/h, a vehicle uses about 20 percent more fuel than at 100 km/h.
   

5. Coast to decelerate: Coasting to decelerate is an easy technique that will help to reduce your fuel consumption. Removing your foot from the accelerator to decelerate by coasting (rather than braking) is a fuel-efficient driving technique that will not only reduce fuel costs, but wear and tear on your braking system.

For more information on fuel-efficient driving techniques, please visit www.nrcan.gc.ca.