Ecodriving is a safe, eco-friendly and economical approach to choosing, maintaining and driving a vehicle.
With inflation, climate change, high gas prices and the rising cost of living, ecodriving is the most responsible driving style that you can adopt right now. But, how do you adopt a driving style that’s both ecological and economical? Here are a few potential solutions.
Opting for a vehicle with a low fuel consumption rating is the first step toward practising ecodriving.
However, before you buy a car, it’s essential to choose a vehicle based on your needs. Take into account the following:
Since fuel consumption ratings are an important factor to consider when buying a gas vehicle, we can compare the different vehicle segments in those terms.
|
Vehicle Segment |
Fuel Consumption Ratings in the City |
Fuel Consumption Ratings on the Highway |
|
Compact Sedan |
7.4 L/100 km |
5.6 L/100 km |
|
Mid-size Sedan |
9.9 L/100 km |
6.5 L/100 km |
|
Crossover Vehicle |
15.9 L/100 km |
10.8 L/100 km |
Of course, a bigger vehicle will inevitably consume more fuel, but there are other ecodriving solutions for you if opting for a pickup or an SUV better suits your needs in terms of comfort and space.
Proper vehicle maintenance is not unrelated to ecodriving. The simple fact of regularly checking your vehicle’s condition not only increases the safety of your passengers and of other users on the road, but it also allows you to optimize the way you use your vehicle. You can check, for example:
“While it may cost a bit of money in the short term, the advantages of regular maintenance over the long term make it a worthwhile investment (improved fuel efficiency, higher resale value, fewer costly repairs, etc.).” – Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec
A vehicle that runs better is a vehicle that’s safer and that consumes less fuel, which leads to fewer breakdowns and accidents and prevents premature wear and tear.
A significant part of ecodriving happens behind the wheel by limiting fuel consumption, which will help you make savings and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas produced by your vehicle.
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Habits to Pick Up |
Results |
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Plan your trips ahead of time |
Checking ahead of time the best moment to leave and the best route to take to avoid roadwork and traffic jams can help you limit fuel consumption. |
|
Turn off the engine when idle |
Turn off your engine at a red light or when you’re stopped for more than 60 seconds to avoid consuming fuel unnecessarily. Restarting your car is more ecological and economical than leaving the engine running. |
|
Avoid air conditioning |
Using air conditioning in the city can increase your fuel consumption by 15 to 25%. |
|
Avoid warming up your engine before driving |
Driving slowly for a few kilometres 30 seconds after starting your car is enough to warm up the engine in the winter. |
|
Travel lightly |
Driving with a bicycle rack, ski rack, cargo carrier or any other objects on top of the vehicle increases air resistance, which results in higher fuel consumption. |
|
Avoid high speeds |
Driving at 100 km/h instead of 120 km/h on the highway allows you to stay safe and reduce your fuel consumption by 20%. |
|
Maintain a steady speed |
Driving at a constant speed and using cruise control on the highway allows you to save up to 5% on fuel. |
|
Anticipate the route |
Avoiding braking suddenly and accelerating unnecessary can help you reduce up to 20% of your fuel consumption and protect your brakes and tires on top of that. |
|
Use the Eco Mode |
Activating the Eco mode when the road is flat, the traffic is fluid and the maximum speed allowed is fairly low helps reduce fuel consumption. |
Buying a used vehicle is another great way to adopt more ecological and economical habits. Not only are these vehicles more financially accessible but they also pollute less than new models, thanks to a reduced carbon footprint during manufacturing.
By opting for a used vehicle, you’ll be reducing the demand for new cars, which restricts the pollution that’s associated with manufacturing. This makes used cars a more sustainable and eco-friendly option.
Come visit AutoStudio 72, your used car dealer in Mirabel, on the North Shore of Montreal and a few minutes away from Laval, to see our selection of used vehicles. Our seasoned team will be happy to discuss the fuel consumption of your future vehicle and help you find the best option.
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