7 ways to reduce fuel consumption in winter
It's a well-known fact that vehicles burn more fuel in winter due to the cold, poor road conditions and the more biting tires they wear, adding to the engine's burden in every case. And let's not forget heating system use.
What can you do to limit the impact at the pump? Here's a series of tips we've put together to help you reduce your gas consumption in winter.
1. Equip yourself with an engine block heater
According to CAA-Quebec, using a block heater in winter will save you around 15% on gas for trips of 20 km or less - more than enough to offset the cost of electricity. It's also good for the environment and, of course, for your comfort, because a block heater warms up the cabin faster.
2. Avoid idling the engine
Warming up the engine is recommended in winter, but should not exceed 30 seconds under normal circumstances. Your car will warm up much faster if you drive slowly. Likewise, don't let your engine idle for no reason. At idle, an engine can burn between 1.1 and 4 liters per hour, reminds CAA-Quebec.
3. Choose a heated steering wheel and heated seats
And don't leave the engine running just to warm up the cabin. And don't overload the heating system, which can consume a lot of energy. Instead, activate the heated steering wheel and heated seats, which will cut the effect of the cold while reducing fuel consumption. Thicker clothing also helps!
4. Practice eco-driving
Taught in driving courses, eco-driving advocates gentle acceleration and braking, reduced speed and maintaining a constant highway speed, all to spare the engine, which is already more taxed in winter. And if you can walk or take the bus instead of your car, take advantage of it!
5. Take good care of your car
A car that isn't properly maintained can consume up to 25% more fuel, according to CAA-Quebec. It's important to always change your oil and filters at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. What's more, low temperatures affect tire air pressure, so make sure your tires are always properly inflated to avoid unnecessarily increasing your vehicle's fuel consumption.
6. Use technology
Combining your outings and planning your routes are good ways of saving fuel, especially in winter. To this end, applications such as Google Maps and Waze are extremely useful. Since 2022, the former has been offering an itinerary marked by a small leaf that can be seen next to the estimated time. Its artificial intelligence is able to calculate the most fuel-efficient route, taking into account factors such as traffic density, the number of traffic lights and even the inclination of slopes.
7. Don't carry all your stuff around with you
Does your family love to ski, but only a few days a year? Don't leave your equipment in the car or even the rack on the roof when you don't need it. By reducing weight and not compromising aerodynamics, you'll have saved an appreciable amount of fuel by the end of the season.
