May 2008 Service Tip of the Month
Green By Design Facts For You And Your Vehicle
Did you know that carrying unnecessary weight in your vehicle affects the amount of fuel you use every day? Or that regularly checking your tire pressure can improve your fuel consumption as much as 5%? Making a conscious effort to learn more about how you can help the environment will get us on the road to a greener future quicker. After all, little changes we make today will make a big difference tomorrow.
Other Factors That Affect Fuel Consumption
Passenger Load | Terrain | Outside Temperature
Environmental Driving Habits
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the environmental impact of your vehicle and contribute to a cleaner Canada.
Plan your trips to reduce driving
Plan your trips and reduce the amount of driving you do both in the winter and summer. Making too many short trips of less than 5 km each time consumes unnecessarily high amounts of fuel.
Drive within the speed limit
Most cars use about 20% more fuel if driven at 110 km per hour than they use at 90 km per hour.
Try to choose the best road conditions for driving
Driving over rough asphalt, potholes and gravel-surfaced roads can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. Driving in snow increases fuel consumption, because snow increases wheel slippage and resistance to vehicle motion. Even driving into a 30 km-per-hour headwind has almost the same effect as increasing speed by the same amount.
Do not idle unnecessarily
Turn off the engine if you are going to be idling longer than a few minutes. One minute of idling uses more fuel than re-starting your engine. Even at -18°C most cars only require 15 to 30 seconds of idling before being driven. The engine and drivetrain warm up better when your car is in motion. However, drive gently until they are warm.
Conserve your car's momentum
Conserve your car's momentum by observing road and traffic conditions and by maintaining a reasonable distance from the vehicle ahead. It takes up to six times more gas to move a car from a complete stop than it does if the car has a momentum of even a few kilometres per hour.
Remove unnecessary roof racks and weight from your vehicle
By removing unnecessary exterior objects, you can reduce the aerodynamic drag of your vehicle and reduce fuel consumption by up to 5%. Every 45 kg (100 lb.) of extra weight consumes 1% more fuel.
Use your air conditioner wisely
Air conditioners are efficient on the highway but they can increase your fuel consumption by up to 12% in stop-and-go traffic.
Follow your owner manual and get your vehicle serviced regularly
A poorly maintained vehicle typically consumes up to 15% more fuel than a properly maintained vehicle. Follow your owner manual and get your vehicle serviced on a regular basis. Regular oil changes, filter and spark plug replacements and cleaning of your fuel injectors all help. Keep your tires at the correct pressure and rotate them regularly. Feel free to consult with GM's Parts and Service staff. They're qualified to address all kinds of service requirements.
Follow winter preparations
Follow the winter preparation instructions in your owner manual. They will help your car start better and more quickly with lower emissions.
- Check the battery.
- Use the right grade of oil.
- Use a block heater.
Use the correct tires
Use snow tires or all-season tires in the winter to reduce the fuel wasted by spinning wheels in winter conditions. Remove snow tires as soon as possible.
Follow your emission control system
Do not tamper with your vehicle's emission control system. If you do, you could drastically reduce its effectiveness. The emissions control equipment originally installed on new vehicles is designed to function for the "useful life" of the vehicle without tampering.
Remember: If we all do our part, we all benefit!
Information provided by the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association, Transport Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and the Ontario Ministry of Energy.