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Non-commercial vehicles in the United States consume close to 90 billion gallons of gasoline each year that’s 661 gallons per car. I would guess in Canada the numbers would be proportionate. While some of the tips in this newsletter will help increase your vehicle’s fuel mileage, there is even more you can do to maximize fuel efficiency:
Avoid high speeds as fuel efficiency decreases significantly at speeds in excess of 90 kilometers per hour. Reducing your speed from 100kph to 90kph reduces fuel consumption by 10 percent.
Avoid excessive idling. If you must warm up the engine, one to three minutes should be sufficient.
Don’t rev the engine – it wastes gas and may cause engine damage.
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden braking and starting
Minimize drag by keeping your car clean, driving with windows and sunroofs closed and removing roof and rear racks. Having a clean car can reduce drag by as much as 12 percent.
Be sure to replace the gas cap tightly to prevent gasoline from evaporating.
During the summer, fuel your car early in the morning or late in the evening. Heat expands gasoline, so you’ll spend more money for less gasoline if you refuel during the afternoon.
If you see drops of fluid under your vehicle, you should be able to identify them by colour or consistency. A few drops are probably not a cause for concern, but you should take note of small puddles. Large fluid leaks can result in unnecessary major engine repairs.
If the fluid is yellow-green, blue or fluorescent orange, it could indicate a cooling system leak or an overheating problem.
If the fluid is dark brown or black, it is most likely engine oil. The engine could have a bad seal or gasket or a loose oil filter.
A red oily spot means you probably have a transmission or power steering fluid leak.
A puddle of clear water is usually normal and is simply condensation from the air conditioning system or the defroster.
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Need advice? ask us.