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What can I do to reduce my vehicle's fuel consumption and emissions?

Fuel consumption continues to be a major area of public interest given the rising cost of fuel, as well as the environmental implications of vehicle CO2 emissions which contribute to climate change. Here are some tips to help reduce your vehicle's fuel consumption:

If you're buying a new car, choose a fuel-efficient model. They tend to weigh less, have smaller engines, and have fuel-saving features like cruise control. Natural Resources Canada has several resources to help you choose the most fuel-efficient vehicle for your needs.

Adopt fuel-efficient driving habits. Accelerate smoothly as abrupt starts and stops waste fuel. Plan your driving and look ahead of traffic. Anticipate problems and keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead to avoid sudden braking.

Measure tire pressure once a month. Properly inflated tires can reduce your GHGs by 1/8 tonne and save you two weeks worth of fuel costs every year. Learn more about being Tire Smart.

Get the junk out of the trunk. Clear your car of junk as the extra weight in your vehicle consumes more fuel.

Cool down with shades. Use sunshades on your car windows and help to reduce your use of fuel-consuming air conditioning.

Open up the windows. In the city, stop-and-go traffic means that your air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20 per cent. At low city speeds, open windows can be a fuel-saving alternative.

Keep to the speed limit. Driving at 100 km/h burns 10 per cent more fuel than driving at 90 km/h. On the highway, use cruise control to maintain a steady speed and reduce fuel consumption.

Don't idle. If you're going to be stopped for more than 60 seconds - except in traffic - turn the engine off. Unnecessary idling wastes money, fuel and produces greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, posing a risk to our health.

Related Links:

• Choosing a Fuel Efficient Vehicle: Decision Making Tools
• Be Tire Smart