As gas prices soar, the Canadian Automobile Association has some tips to help ease the burden on your wallet.
CAA says there are ways to save hundreds of dollars at the fuel pumps each year even if you can’t control prices.
It recommends not pushing the pedal to the metal, saying softer and slower acceleration and coasting to slow down rather than braking hard will help gas last.
Another trick is to not let your car idle.
“You waste 1 litre of gas every 20 minutes you idle,” CAA says. “If you are going to be stopped for 60 seconds or more, try to turn off the engine.”
It also advises you to keep up on car maintenance, even underinflated tires can drive up your gas consumption.
Other ways to save include refraining from speeding, using cruise control when it’s safe to do so, and avoiding pothole-ridden roads. Driving at lower and consistent speeds can greatly reduce fuel consumption.
CAA also recommends combining your trips as several short commutes with a cold engine can use twice as much gas.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been fueling the recent spike in fuel prices. The national average price of gas is $1.81 per litre.
