Passenger Transportation Tips

Most people do not think twice about hopping into the car to run a quick errand or to go see a friend. With record high gasoline and diesel prices many people are thinking about their transportation choices.

In addition to the financial cost associated with driving a vehicle, there are often environmental effects as well. Approximately 35 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions in Canada are due to transportation.

Before you buy

• Decide how you will use the vehicle. This will help you determine what size of vehicle you will need for tasks such as driving to work or getting groceries.
• Choose the smallest vehicle that you need. Under normal driving conditions, smaller engines deliver better fuel economy than larger engines.
• Increase your fuel efficiency by choosing manual over automatic. As a general rule, a manual transmission is more fuel efficient than an automatic, assuming you shift properly.
• Select features that do not increase fuel consumption. Air conditioning, power windows, and all wheel drive increase fuel consumption and add weight to the vehicle frame.
• Do your research. Fuel consumption ratings for all new cars, light-duty trucks and vans sold in Canada are available in the Natural Resources Canada’s Fuel Consumption Guide.
• Check the label. Energuide ratings are also available for new vehicles. While you are searching for a new vehicle, check the Government of Canada’s Energuide label for fuel consumption information.

When you drive

• Limit the use of your vehicle’s air conditioning system in the summer. Using this feature can increase fuel consumption by more than 20 per cent in city driving.
• Cool off using the car's ventilation system, opening the windows or installing tinted glass.
• Don’t idle your car in the winter. Idling wastes fuel, it's hard on your vehicle, and it's damaging our environment. Excessive idling can actually harm your engine by contaminating the engine oil and damaging engine components.
• Use a block heater to warm the coolant, which in turn warms the engine block and lubricants. Then, you should limit your cold weather idling to less than one minute.
• Remove bike, ski and roof racks when they are not in use. This will help decrease the vehicle’s drag and increase fuel efficiency.
• Use cruise control on the highway. It saves fuel by keeping your driving speed constant.