How to Save on Gas

We are seeing inflation take a toll on the cost of many goods and services – including the cost of gasoline. In May 2022, the average price of gas across major Canadian cities was $2.00/L for unleaded fuel according to Statistics Canada. With prices steadily rising, you’re probably looking for how to save on gas. Fuel economy is important for more than just your budget; less gas consumption will also minimize your impact on the environment. BIG is all about saving you money, especially on your car insurance, but this blog will explain how to save on gas.

How to Save on Gas: Fuel-Efficient Driving Techniques

Learning how to save on gas starts with improving your driving habits! How you drive can greatly impact your fuel economy, so implement these driving techniques to save on gas.

1. Gentle acceleration will lower your fuel consumption. Try imagining an open cup of coffee on your dash and not spilling it. Take 5 seconds to get to 20km/h from a complete stop.
2. Keep a steady speed and use cruise control where you can. Constantly fluctuating your speed a few times per minute could increase your fuel consumption by 20%.
3. Be keen, anticipate traffic, and keep a few car-lengths’ distance between other vehicles to give you more time to react. Not only is this safe, but it will also use less fuel because you won’t be accelerating/braking as often.
4. Following the speed limit is another tip for how to save on gas. Most vehicles have optimum fuel economy when they travel between 50km/h to 80km/h. Staying withing speed limits won’t just improve your fuel efficiency, it will also save you from getting speeding tickets and potentially increase your car insurance premium.
5. Decelerate by coasting instead of braking where possible. By anticipating traffic behaviour, you can keep your forward momentum and reduce the amount of acceleration you might require – saving you money on gas!

With good driving habits like these, you might also qualify for up to a 30% discount on your car insurance through something called telematics. Learn more: Insurance Telematics Discount.

How to Save on Gas: Put Your Vehicle on a Weight-Loss Program

We can all admit to driving around with sports equipment, work tools, lawn chairs, bike racks, and roof racks that aren’t being used. By removing unnecessary weight and less aerodynamic add-ons, you can improve your fuel economy by as much as 20%. By all means, keep the essentials onboard such as your roadside emergency kit and your child’s car seat, but consider giving your car a good declutter before your next trip.

Vehicle Usage

If you’re wanting to know how to save on gas for your next trip, big or small, consider these tips!

1. Stop idling. If you are stopped for over 60 seconds, turn your engine off (unless you’re in traffic). On average, a vehicle with a 3L engine wastes 300 mL of fuel for every 10 minutes while idling. Some newer vehicles have automatic engine start-stop systems that do this for you.
2. Plan for your trip. Map out your route in advance to avoid city driving, road construction and accidents. Skipping out on stop-and-go traffic in the city and taking four-lane highways will help you preserve fuel economy.
3. Try to tackle all your errands in one run. Plan your route to avoid backtracking, and rush-hour traffic. You’ll not only check things off your to-do list, but you’ll also keep your engine warm at an efficient temperature when you do several errands in succession.
4. Drive less by walking, cycling, taking public transit, or carpooling. One of the biggest ways of how to save gas is to work from home, saving you up to 20% of fuel use. With lower mileage, you might even be able to save on your car insurance with a pay-as-you-go option.

Under Pressure

Want to know how to save on gas? Maintain proper tire pressure to optimize your car’s performance and fuel economy. Under- or over-inflated tires can hinder optimal acceleration, braking, and steering. You should check your tire pressure at least once a month, and always do it when your tires haven’t been in use.

Too cool?

Use your air conditioning sparingly to save on gas. Running your AC could increase your vehicle’s fuel use by as much as 20%. Roll down the windows – especially during city driving – and let the fresh air cool you down. On the highway, try turning on the fan or flow-through ventilation system with your windows up for the best breeze (and less noise).

Fuel-efficient or Hybrid/Electric

When you are buying a new car (or a used one), it requires a lot of research. One of the factors you’ll want to consider is the vehicle’s fuel economy. One of the best tips for how to save on gas is to invest in a hybrid or electric vehicle! The initial prices are higher, but with government incentives, energy efficiency, and lower maintenance costs, it usually balances out within a few years. Driving a small car with a gas-power engine costs about $9 per 100km driven. According to Hydro-Québec, an equivalent-sized electric car costs only $2.25 per 100km driven – that’s a lot of savings on fuel!

 

We hope you will integrate these tips for how to save gas into your driving habits. You obviously want to save money on gas, but what about saving money on your car insurance? At BIG, we have access to the most competitive car insurance rates in Canada. Get a free, no-obligation quote now to find out how much you could be saving!