I have to admit that I’ve been a bit smug inside lately – I think everyone in southern Ontario has been. I really thought that we had successfully escaped the good old Canadian winter and had nothing but spring blooms to look forward to. However, if this week’s weather was anything to go by, I was very much mistaken.
So after driving through a winter storm to get to Sarnia, I enjoyed a duly deserved piece of humble pie served by Mother Nature herself and I started to wonder if my car had used more gas on the journey because it had to work harder than it normally would to drive through all that snow. You see I just bought my first car so, like any first time car owner, I watch the fuel gauge like a hawk and am constantly obsessing about any noise or rumble that I assume is not normal.
None of this was based on any concrete fact of course, but I did a little research on fuel efficiency and winter driving and found out some interesting things. It’s all common sense obviously, but with life being busy enough already, we probably don’t think of them in our day to day driving.
The thing that tops the list over and over again is making sure your tires have enough air pressure in them. Be it snow tires or all seasons, cold temperatures decrease the air pressure in tires and this just adds to the rolling resistance already caused by snow and slush. With the tire pressure decreasing, it’s a good idea to check the pressures at least once a month when the tires are cold – especially after a sharp drop in temperature.
A couple of other points include not letting your car idle. I didn’t know this but in mild winter conditions, your car needs no more than 30 seconds of idling. Unlike cars of the past, the engines in modern cars generate relatively little heat at idle, so idling isn’t warming up the engine. I’ve just moved to Ontario from out west where most people plug their cars in, so this one was news to me. The other, most obvious one is to clear any snow build up on your vehicle – especially under bumpers and wheel wells – because the more weight your car has, the more fuel it uses - basic physics.
So in the end, did I use more fuel than I would have normally? I’d like to think of myself as a pretty conscientious car owner, but quite possibly I did. However I take comfort in knowing that along with enjoying a yummy piece of pie, I’m probably much better prepared for the drive home. Snow belt, here I come.
Photo credit: ArtemFinland
Comments