How To Save On Gas

Over the past couple of months Canadians have been seeing inflation take a toll on the cost of many goods and services – including the cost of gas. According to Statistics Canada, in August 2021 the average price of gas across major Canadian cities was $1.41/L for unleaded fuel. With the prices of gas steadily rising, you’re probably looking for how to save on gas. Less gas consumption will not only benefit your budget, but also minimize your impact on the environment.

FUEL-EFFICIENT DRIVING HABITS

Learning how to save on gas starts with improving your driving habits. How you drive impacts your fuel economy, so try implementing these techniques to help you save some money.

• Gentle acceleration will lower your fuel consumption. Try imagining an open cup of coffee on your dash and not spilling it. 

• Maintain 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%.
• 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.
• 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 within 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.
• 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.

FUEL-EFFICIENT VEHICLE TIPS

Remove Unnecessary Weight

It’s time to declutter your car. The more weight you carry around, the harder your car has to work and the more gas you’ll burn. Empty out the nonessentials such as sports equipment, work tools, lawn chairs, and bike racks that aren’t being used. By removing all these unnecessary items you can improve your fuel economy.

Improve Vehicle Usage

Try driving less and start walking, biking, or carpooling. If you’re going to drive, map out your route in advance to avoid construction, traffic, or accidents. This will help preserve fuel economy.

Fuel-Efficient or Hybrid/Electric Options

When buying a new or used car look for a car that’ll use less gas (or no gas at all). Say good-bye to ever visiting a gas station with an electric car. They can be expensive, but with government incentives, energy efficiency, and lower maintenance costs, it usually balances out within a few years.

Regular Maintenance

Keeping your car properly maintained on a regular basis maximizes its performance and helps you save on gas. Make sure your tires are at the proper inflation level to reduce friction. Also, tune up your engine – clean the filters and change your oil.

We hope you will implement some of these tips to help you save on gas. If you’re looking to save some more money fill out our online auto quote form and find out how much you could be saving on your insurance.