Summer in Canada can mean many things to many people, but it almost inevitably involves at least two realities - construction and higher gas prices.
While there are several explanations why gas prices rise during the summer --- the oil companies' switch from winter to summer gas, increased demand due to people travelling more and reduced supply as refineries undergo seasonal maintenance -- they can't really dull the pain of spending considerably more to fill up your car, van, SUV or truck.
There are a number of pretty well-known, simple driving tips that can help you reduce your gas consumption and cost at the pump.
Don't floor the gas pedal. Not only do "jackrabbit" starts waste fuel, but one second of full-throttle driving can produce the same amount of carbon monoxide as a half-hour of normal cruising.
Keep your tires properly inflated. A single tire underinflated by two PSI (pounds per square inch) increases fuel consumption by one per cent.
Only drive the vehicle that you really need. Do you really need a huge four-wheel-drive adventure rig simply to shuttle the kids to school? Instead, have a look at a leaner, more responsive wagon or crossover, many of which are available with four-wheel drive for winter conditions.
Reduce your speed. Driving at 100 kilometres per hour versus 120 kilometres per hour can save you 15 per cent in fuel economy while dramatically reducing emissions.
Don't idle. After starting your car simply drive away slowly. Your car will warm up faster than it would if you leave it to idle in the driveway. And you'll save fuel in the process.
Service your vehicle. Regular maintenance helps to prevent poor fuel economy.
Besides driving more sensibly, there now are some devices and apps on the market that can further help you get more distance from your gas tank and reduce gas costs further.
GPS systems are great, not only to help you find your way to your destination and avoid getting lost but also to get you there by the shortest route, thus using the least amount of fuel.
The Garmin Ecoroute HD GPS, for example, has an extra function that tells you why your car might not be running at full capacity.
MotoCarma is an app that uses GPS on your smart phone to detect speed, acceleration and location to determine how safely and efficiently you are driving. Acceleration and speed warnings are displayed on the phone screen and a chime alerts you to when you need to adjust your driving behaviour.
CarMD became available in Canada last November. It taps into your automobile's computer system to diagnose potential problems and repairs, and works on all 1996 or newer domestic or foreign cars, trucks, vans and SUVs manufactured for use in North America, according to the company.
CarMD comes with a hand held device, MAC/PC software, USB cable, batteries, caddy and lifetime software and firmware updates. You simply plug it into your vehicle's on-board diagnostic port (it will show you where it is on your vehicle.
CarMD says it is ideal for uncovering hidden problems, inspecting used cars and diagnosing check engine light issues without popping the hood or getting dirty. It includes lifetime software and firmware updates and will generate personalized health reports on your vehicle, which also will show what is wrong and what is needed to repair the problem, including parts and labour costs in your region so you won't overpay pay for repairs.
A mechanic I talked to said he has heard of these kinds of devices and apps, but generally in newer cars the onboard computer is searching for problems and if your service engine light is not on, you probably don't have anything to worry about.
Talbot Boggs is a Toronto-based business communications professional who has worked with national news organizations, magazines and corporations in the finance, retail, manufacturing and other industrial sectors.
