CAA Atlantic provides gas-saving tips as high prices remain

According to Steve Olmstead, it’s important not to let the your vehicle idle when it’s not necessary to do so

CITYnews halifax \ Chris Halef

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The Canadian Automobile Association is offering up some tips to save on gas as high prices continue in our province and across the country.

Steve Olmstead, CAA Atlantic’s director of public and government affairs, said it’s no secret this is putting a financial strain on Nova Scotians, but there are ways to help reduce the amount of gas you burn.

He told CityNews Halifax one way to increase fuel efficiency is to combine trips.

“If you have a few things to do today, try and squeeze them all into one trip if you can,” he said. “Your car is easier on fuel when it’s already warmed up.”

Olmstead said another trick is to not press hard on your vehicles pedal when accelerating from a stop position.

“Just that alone can increase your fuel consumption by up to 39 percent,” said Olmstead. “So start off slower, count to five and just take off slowly.”

“On the same token, when you come to a stop, if it’s safe to do so, just take your foot off the fuel and glide a little bit to the point where you’re slowing down and you actually have to apply the brakes.”

He said it’s also important to get timely check ups and maintenance work done on your vehicle, including changing tires and changing the oil.

According to Olmstead, it’s important not to let the your vehicle idle when it’s not necessary to do so.

“There’s a Natural Resources Canada study that says for every 20 minutes you idle, you use up a litre of gas,” he said. “So kind of a rule of thumb to go by if you can, is if you’re going to be stopped for a moment and you’re going to be idling, you might as well turn the car off.”

Olmstead adds it’s also important to avoid speeding to decrease the drag on your car.