Get the most out of a tank of gas
Summer travel looks a lot different this year, with millions of us on the move. There is one thing that might slow you down: gas prices. They hit record levels in B.C. on July 1, the first unofficial day of the summer vacation season.
However, before you put the brakes on your road trip, Consumer Reports has some advice to fine-tune your driving to maximize fuel economy and ease the squeeze on your wallet.
It starts before you hit the road. You want to start out by checking your tire pressure. Having tires with lower pressure than what is recommended on your doorjamb sticker can affect fuel economy along with performance and handling. Driving at the correct pressure can save two weeks' worth of gas in a year.
Next, look up top. Remove the roof rack if it is not being used. At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag. Do not add to that by carrying unneeded things on the roof.
They say getting there is half the fun, so do not speed to your destination. Along with being a safety risk, it can really hurt your fuel economy. Consumer Reports found that reducing the speed of a RAV4 from 120 kilometres per hour to 105 kilometres per hour improved fuel economy by 2.5 kilometres per litre.
The harder you accelerate, the more fuel you use. The goal should be to drive evenly and anticipate the movement of traffic. Smooth acceleration, cornering, and braking help extend the life of the engine, transmission, brakes, and tires, too.
In addition, before you leave, use your phone to check prices along your route. Apps and websites like GasBuddy can direct you to savings. Gas stations well off major highways and away from city centres may have better prices, along with warehouse stores.
Consumer Reports says you can save money and skip premium gas unless it is required. This is indicated on the fuel filler door. Many cars list it as “recommended,” which means it is optional.
A proper tune-up can also improve mileage, so can changing a dirty oil filter and using the right oil. And if a tune-up reveals a faulty oxygen sensor, you'll really get a great boost in gas mileage by replacing it.
With files from Consumer Reports
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison
Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.