Tips & Checklists

Keep these handy checklists on your fridge to ensure that you have everything you need for a safe and successful family road trip this summer!

Gas Savings Tips

	Use the vehicle manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. You can improve you gas mileage by 1-2 percent.
	Tighten your gas cap. According to allfastcars.com, 147 million gallons/556 million litres of gasoline evaporate each year because fuel caps are damaged, loose or missing. So when you are finished fueling, be sure to tighten the cap.
	Avoid aggressive driving. Speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking can lower your gas mileage by 33%. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph/100 kmph. Each 5 mph/8kmph you drive over 60 mph/100kmph is like paying an additional $.10 per gallon/3.5 km of gas.
	Avoid excess idling. Idling gets zero miles/km per gallon/litre. Additionally your vehicle uses more gas to idle than it does to restart the engine. So if you plan to sit for an extended period of time, turn your engine off.
	Take a load off. Heavier vehicles require more energy to move, so carrying around excess weight will affect your mileage. Empty out your trunk of all unnecessary items. An extra 100 pounds of weight in your trunk will reduce your vehicle's fuel economy by 1-2 percent.
	Don't bother topping off when filling your car's gas tank. The additional gas has the potential to leak out if overfilled.
	Don't pay more for premium grade gasoline if your vehicle does not require it. The more expensive gas will cost you more money without boosting performance or fuel economy.