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How to Improve Your Fuel Economy
Environmental Driving Habits Here are some small steps you can take to minimize the environmental impact of your vehicle and contribute to a cleaner Canada. Plan your trips to reduce driving Plan your trips so that you reduce the amount of driving that you have to do and the number of trips you have to make. If you make short trips (less than 5 km) on a cold engine, your vehicle will consume much higher amounts of fuel, whether it's winter or summer. Drive within the speed limit Most cars use about 20% more fuel if driven at 110 km per hour than they use at 90 km per hour. Try to choose the best road conditions for driving Driving over rough asphalt, potholes and gravel-surfaced roads can increase fuel consumption by up to 35%. Driving in snow increases fuel consumption, because snow increases wheel slippage and resistance to vehicle motion. The higher rolling resistance on wet roads can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. Driving into a 30 km-per-hour headwind has almost the same effect as increasing speed by the same amount. You can reduce fuel consumption by up to 4% by taking the snow tires off your car as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not idle when it is unnecessary Turn off the engine if you are going to be idling longer than a few minutes. 1 minute of idling uses more fuel than re-starting your engine. Do not over-idle when starting. Even at -18°C most cars only require 15 to 30 seconds of idling before being driven. The engine and drivetrain warm up better when your car is in motion. However, drive gently until they are warm. Conserve your car's momentum Conserve your car's momentum by observing road and traffic conditions and by maintaining a reasonable distance from the vehicle ahead. It takes up to six times more gas to move a car from a complete stop than it does if the car has a momentum of even a few kilometers per hour. Remove unnecessary roof racks and weight from your vehicle By removing unnecessary exterior objects, you can reduce the aerodynamic drag of your vehicle and reduce fuel consumption by up to 5%. Every 45 kg (100 lbs) of extra weight consumes 1% more fuel. Use your air conditioner wisely Air conditioners are efficient on the highway but they can increase your fuel consumption by up to 12% in stop-and-go traffic. Follow your owner's manual A poorly maintained vehicle typically consumes up to 15% more fuel than a properly maintained vehicle. In the glove box of your vehicle is one of the best anti-pollution devices you can find -- the owner's manual. If you read it and do as it suggests, you can not only cut pollution, you can save money, too. Follow the maintenance steps and schedules in the owner's manual. At the specified times, change the oil, replace the filters and spark plugs, clean the fuel injectors, and check the drive belts. Keep your tires at the correct pressure and rotate them regularly. Feel free to consult with GM's Parts and Service staff. They're qualified to address all kinds of service requirements. Follow winter preparations Follow the winter preparation instructions in your owner's manual. They will help your car start better and more quickly with lower emissions. Check the battery. Use the right grade of oil. Use a block heater. Use the correct tires Use snow tires or all-season tires in the winter to reduce the fuel wasted by spinning wheels in winter conditions. Remove snow tires as soon as possible. Do not tamper with the emission control system. If you do, you could drastically reduce its effectiveness. The emissions control equipment originally installed on new vehicles is designed to function for the "useful life" of the vehicle without tampering. Remember: If we all do our part, we all benefit! Information provided by the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association, Transport Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and the Ontario Ministry of Energy. Are You A Fuel-Efficient Driver?
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