Top 5 Tips to Save at the Pump

Dec 19 2017, 12:57 pm

With sudden spike in fuel prices people are trying to find ways to save money in order to maintain their lifestyle and mobility. The reality is that there are a few simple tips that will ensure you achieve the greatest efficiency from your vehicle. Many people think there might be a singular “silver bullet” that will magically change their efficiency, but the reality is that it is a combination of many different factors that will contribute to fuel savings, here are my top five tips:

5 – Ensure that your vehicle’s engine maintenance is up to date including oil changes and tune-ups.
4 – Check to see that your tires are wearing evenly. If there is wear on the inside or outside then your vehicle needs an alignment. A vehicle with improper alignment uses more fuel because of the added friction from the tires. If your tires are worn to the point that they need replacement, then purchasing a high quality tire like the Hankook Optimo H727 all season tire is a great bet in long wear and comfort. With a 160,000km tread life; you can have these tires for many years of driving, provided you keep your alignment true.

3 – The air filter could easily be called the forgotten filter. It’s important to have your vehicle’s air filter inspected at every oil change and if your air filter is clogged, your engine has restricted airflow much like trying to run a race with a mouth full of cotton balls. Transport Canada suggests replacing a clogged filter can improve your fuel efficiency by up to 10%.

2 – One of the biggest impacts on your vehicle’s fuel consumption is how smooth the driver is. Avoiding quick starts and speeding will keep your vehicles running at its most efficient. A relaxed, unrushed driving style will make your commute less stressful and can greatly reduce the amount of fuel you use.

1 – Now that spring is here this is the time to replace your winter tires with the proper tires for your vehicle. Driving on winter tires in warm weather creates more friction and increases fuel consumption and accelerates tire wear. There is a new category of tire, called “all weather tires” and they have the ability to be left on your vehicle all year round yet they still have improved winter traction over a regular all season. Hankook Tire has an all weather tire called the Optimo4S which is the latest all weather tire in the market. Whether you’re running an all season or all weather tire, the most important factor in fuel consumption is making sure your tires are properly inflated to the vehicles specifications. Since your tires are the only thing touching the road, tire pressure is the single most important factor in determining fuel efficiency. Just one under-inflated tire uses the equivalent of two weeks worth of additional fuel over the course of a year.

Submitted by: Zack Spencer for Hankook Tire

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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