Jump to main body text.Jump to the top menu.Jump to the left menu.Natural Resources Canada.
Français.Contact Us.Help.Search.Canada Site. This link opens a new window.
 Return Home.Site Map.Text View.Print View.NRCan Site. This link opens a new window.
Links.
Satellite image of Canada. This link opens a new window. Office of Energy Efficiency - Transportation.

  OEE Home

About OEE

OEE programs

Business: Transportation

Heavy-duty vehicles

Light-duty vehicles

Driver educators

Vehicle fuels

Idling

Tools and calculators

Newsletters and reports

Success stories

Links

Rebates and incentives

Publications

Statistics and analysis

Questions and answers

Top 10 Tips for Safe Fuel-Efficient Driving

Here are 10 great driving tips to share with your family and friends.

  1. Don't drive aggressively – quick starts, hard stops and aggressive driving can increase fuel consumption by up to 37%.

  2. Drive at the posted speed limit – increasing your cruising speed from 100 km/h to 120 km/h will increase fuel consumption by about 20%.

  3. Don't idle – when you let your vehicle idle longer than 10 seconds, you burn more fuel than you would restarting the engine.

  4. Drive only when you need to – leave your vehicle at home whenever possible by walking, biking, blading, carpooling or taking the bus to nearby locations.

  5. Plan ahead – If you have to drive, plan the most fuel-efficient route in advance.

  6. Use your vehicle's air conditioner sparingly – using your air conditioner in stop-and-go traffic can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20%. Try opening the windows or fresh air vents to cool your vehicle.

  7. Measure the inflation level of your tires once a month. A single tire under-inflated by just 56 kPa (8psi) can increase your vehicle's fuel consumption by 4%.

  8. Use cruise control – on dry, flat wide-open highways, use cruise control, to help improve fuel efficiency by maintaining an even speed.

  9. Maintain your vehicle properly – a poorly maintained vehicle consumes more fuel, produces higher levels of emissions, requires expensive repairs, and has a low resale value.

  10. Safe driving is fuel-efficient driving

View more tips: Auto$mart Thinking – Fuel-Efficient Driving Tips