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Getting Your Ride Ready for Winter
Fuel consumption soars in cold weather – sometimes by as much as 50%. That's hard on your pocketbook and on the environment. So add an item to your pre-winter checklist: check my ride.
When cooler winds tell you it’s time to trade flip-flops for fleece, take the time to personally inspect your vehicle from bumper to bumper, or schedule a checkup with a professional. But do your homework first: learn which maintenance tips can lower your fuel bill while reducing your vehicle’s emissions.
Get pumped
Your tires need special attention during the winter. Cold temperatures decrease the air pressure in tires, which just adds to the rolling resistance caused by snow and slush. Each tire that is under–inflated by two psi (14 kPa) causes a one percent increase in fuel consumption. So check tire pressure regularly; especially after a sharp drop in temperature.
Proper air pressure extends tread life, improves safety and reduces fuel consumption. Before adding air to your tires, let some air out of each valve and blow some air out of the hose. This prevents moisture from gathering in the tire valve, where it can freeze and cause the valve to leak. If possible, use your own tire pressure gauge, since the gauges built into air pumps at service stations are often inaccurate or missing.
Lighten your load
Extra vehicle weight increases fuel consumption. In winter, snow building up in wheel wells and under bumpers adds weight and rubs against tires, further increasing rolling resistance. And snow piled on top of the vehicle increases aerodynamic drag and vehicle weight. For safety as well as fuel economy, clear snow off your vehicle before you drive away.
Warming versus idling
Some drivers think the best way to warm up their vehicle is to run the engine while in park (i.e. idling). However, the truth is that the most effective way to warm your vehicle is to drive it at a moderate speed for a few minutes. In fact, no more than 30 seconds of idling is necessary to ensure that lubricants are circulated before driving off. With today’s computer-controlled, fuel-injected engines idling any longer than that simply wastes fuel. Just make sure that your windows are clear and defogged before you put your foot on the gas!
Reducing your idling by five minutes a day will reduce your CO2 emissions by over 100 kg annually and save you about the same amount of fuel as not driving your car for almost 12 days a year.
One way to minimize your fuel consumption and engine wear in the cold is to use a block heater. Block heaters warm your vehicle’s coolant, which in turn warms the engine block and lubricants. The engine will start more easily and reach its peak operating temperature faster. In temperatures below 0°C, block heaters can improve overall fuel economy by 10% or more. Running the block heater will create less greenhouse gas emissions than an idling vehicle.