OSHAWA, ONTARIO With the constant increases in the price of gasoline, now more than ever, youll want to know these common-sense steps to squeeze more kilometres out every litre.
Chevrolet vehicles are engineered with efficient, fuel-saving technologies which can be fully optimized by following some simple steps, said Geof Bailey, manager of Canadian engineering at Chevrolet Canada. Any driver will be pleasantly surprised just how much they can improve their own fuel efficiency, for free, by making some very minor behaviour changes.
Here are ten tips for fuel savings:
Pump Up: Tires that are under-inflated can increase your vehicles fuel consumption by up to four per cent. Properly inflated tires last longer and improve your fuel efficiency. It is important to measure the inflation level of your tires once a month, preferably when they are cold.
Reduce Your Speed: You will use 20 per cent less fuel just by reducing your speed from 120 km/h to 100 km/h.
Plan Your Trips: Going to soccer practice? Need to go grocery shopping? Try combining separate tasks into one trip. Taking short trips (less than 5 kilometres) can burn more fuel because your vehicle doesnt reach its most efficient operating temperature and youll drive more kilometres on separate trips, increasing fuel costs and vehicle wear and tear.
Cruise Control: By using cruise control when conditions are suitable, you can help maximize your fuel efficiency by maintaining the speed limit.
Chill Out: Hard acceleration, hard stops and aggressive driving can increase your fuel consumption by up to 39 per cent.
Avoid Idling: Dont idle if its not necessary. If you are going to be stopped for more than 60 seconds when parked turn the engine off.
Keep on Rolling in Traffic: Smooth and steady movement is more fuel-efficient than frequent starts and stops. You can save a lot of fuel by anticipating traffic, keeping a constant speed and coasting to stops.
Lighten Your Load: Things like roof and ski racks or heavy items in your trunk decrease your vehicles aerodynamics and add weight. Lighten your load by taking only what you need.
Limit the use of Accessories: Power accessories, like air conditioning, require more fuel from your vehicle, so use them wisely. Cool a hot parked car by lowering windows before blasting the air. When on the highway, be sure to close the windows for best fuel efficiency, but in the city, shut off the air and open the windows and vents to cool the cabin.
Towing and Heavy-duty Usage: Closed-body trailers with rounded corners are the most fuel efficient towing platforms. Fuel consumption can also be reduced by ensuring the front profile of the trailer is hidden by the towing vehicle.
Through OnStar, Chevrolet is making it even easier to improve your fuel consumption by making daily vehicle status updates like tire pressure, oil level, and many more, available on your smart phone or via monthly email reports, added Bailey.
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About Chevrolet in Canada
Founded in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries. From todays Cruze Eco which consumes just 4.6 L/100 km on the highway to the Volt coming this fall, which provides up to 80 kilometres of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 500 kilometres of extended range, Chevrolet offers gas-friendly to gas-free solutions. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse and a host of new, smaller, highly efficient models to come including the all-new Orlando and Sonic (fall 2011) and Spark (2012). Chevrolet also provides iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro as well as dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.ca or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chevroletcanada.