Tips to Help Reduce Your Gas Consumption

1. Think smart at the fuel pump

Don’t top up your gas tank unnecessarily – each litre of fuel means more weight to transport leading to worse gas consumption

Also, never refuel in the middle of the day when the temperature is high. It is better to do so in the cooler air of the morning or evening because the volume of gasoline and diesel varies with temperature. The hotter it is, the more the fuel expands and the more space it takes up in your tank.

Use this tool to estimate your consumption.

2. Adopt eco-driving

The bill at the pump doesn’t depend only on taxes and the price of gas, it also comes from your driving habits. Eco-driving reduces fuel consumption by almost a fifth. Reducing your speed by 20 km/h can save you up to 20% fuel. It doesn't take much longer either; you’ll only lose four minutes on a 100-kilometre trip by using this method.

In addition to the peace of mind it provides (i.e. no speeding tickets), cruise control also avoids unnecessary accelerations and slowdowns which greatly reduces consumption.

If your vehicle will be stopped for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine. An idling engine still consumes fuel, and the consumption required to restart your car is minimal. So, it’s best to restart the engine than to leave it running.

3. Take care of your tires

A well-maintained vehicle performs better, consumes less fuel and emits less CO2. Motorists that drive with poorly inflated tires, can experience more rapid wear compared to those that keep theirs property inflated at all times. In fact, up to 20% of your vehicle's total fuel consumption depends on your tires – so it’s important that tires are well inflated and in good condition. To do this, check your tire pressure every month.

4. Opt for a greener solution

The automotive market is increasingly offering competitive and affordable hybrid and electric vehicles. – by 2035 all new vehicle sales will be electric. They represent an excellent alternative to 100% gasoline-powered cars and trucks. To stop consuming gasoline at all or to use far less of it, consider a hybrid or electric vehicle for your next purchase. purchasing vehicles of this type. Curious about whether an electric vehicle is actually worth the upfront cost? Read more.

If you’re not quite ready to make the switch, consider other modes of active transportation; the best way to reduce your fuel consumption is to drive less. Walking, cycling and public transport is often more efficient and faster in urban centres than driving.

To get to work, also consider carpooling with your colleagues to split the costs. If you have the opportunity to work from home, even better. 

5. Optimize your driving

While many car rides in the city are just a few kilometres, it’s precisely these first few kilometres that are the most polluting and the most expensive. A cold engine and cold emissions control system means a loss of fuel efficiency and an increase in emissions. By walking for short distances and reserving your car for longer hauls, you can do both your wallet and the environment a favour.

For holidays departing or planned for a long time, try to avoid taking routes at rush hours when heavy traffic is expected – traffic jams and stop-and-go traffic leads to excessive gas consumption. Similarly, when leaving, choose to leave on time or even early. When leaving late you tend to accelerate more to catch up and, therefore, can consume more gas.

Before long trips, allow your vehicle's engine to warm up to its most fuel-efficient temperature. Combine trips and plan your route to avoid detours.

Something to think about before buying a car: fuel consumption increases by 7% for each 100kg increase in the vehicle’s weight. Even if you have a lightweight car, consider removing unnecessary items like rooftop cargo boxes. They lead to overconsumption of 10 to 20% due to the loss of aerodynamics. In addition, if you need to load a lot into your vehicle, try to distribute the loads as evenly as possible throughout the car.

While gas prices may continue to rise, these tips and tools will equip you to make the most of your tank.

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