Fuel Saving Tips

Every litre of fuel that you don't use saves you money and also helps to reduce global warming.

• Tune it up! A well-tuned vehicle uses up to 9 percent less gasoline than a poorly tuned vehicle.

  Virtually all of your vehicle's mechanical systems can affect fuel efficiency if not properly maintained.  Regular servicing of your vehicle will keep it operating at peak efficiency.  With today's sophisticated engines and on-board computer systems, it makes sense to leave the servicing of your vehicle in the hands of trained automotive professionals who have the knowledge and tools to diagnose and correct problems. 
  
  Changing the engine oil regularly is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle in top operating condition.  Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat - all of which promote better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. 
  
  Your vehicle's air and fuel systems need to be inspected to confirm that they are working properly and that the filters are clean.  Dirty filters reduce performance and increase fuel consumption.
  
  The spark plugs in a gasoline engine ignite the air-fuel mixture.  If one or more of the plugs is worn or malfunctioning, the engine will misfire, and some fuel will remain unburned.  Worn or damaged spark plug wires can also cause misfiring.  A misfiring engine wastes fuel, produces higher levels of emissions and generally performs poorly.

• Pump it up! Underinflated tires increase resistance, reduce fuel economy and wear rapidly.
  
  Measure tire pressure and look for signs of uneven wear or embedded objects that can cause air leaks.  In winter measure tire pressure whenever there is a sharp change in temperature.  Tires inflated to the manufacturer's maximum recommended pressure can improve gas mileage as much as 6%, while periodic wheel alignments can help improve fuel economy up to 10%.

• Move it around!  Rotating your tires helps prolong their life and improve fuel economy.
  
  On most vehicles tires should be rotated every 10,000 kilometres, or about twice a year.
  
• Refuel after sundown to minimize the impact of evaporative emissions on the environment.
• Use a high quality, clean fuel with good detergent additives to keep engine clean and performing efficiently. Use fuel with an octane rating appropriate for your vehicle.
• Junk in the trunk?  Clean out the trunk, cargo area or pickup bed.  Take out unneeded items that only add weight to your vehicle.  Extra weight decreases gas mileage. 
• Think aerodynamic! Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof rack. The added frontal area will increase drag and reduce fuel economy.
• Close the windows! When driving with the windows down, aerodynamic drag on the highway increases and fuel economy decreases.  Air conditioning is actually a more fuel efficient option when driving on the highway on those unbearably hot days.
• Open the windows!  In slow city traffic keep the air conditioner off if possible. The air conditioner is a burden that uses fuel and for puttering around town you will see a slight improvement in mileage when you keep it off.
• Start slowly! Avoid rapid acceleration. "Jack rabbit" starts are terrible fuel wasters.  Accelerate gradually, drive smoothly and with care, and you could see as much as a 20% gain in fuel economy as compared with an aggressive driving style.
• Watch the limit! Drive at posted speed limits. That's a tip that may save a life as well as fuel.
• Don't be idle.  Don't waste fuel by sitting in the drive-thru lane at Timmy's.  Park and go inside instead.  Don't let your vehicle idle as you wait to pick up the kids.  Idling uses more fuel than turning the engine off, waiting for the youngsters and then restarting the engine.
• Park in the shade! Reduce the need for air conditioning and use the vent setting as much as possible.

Some things to watch for between service visits:

• Look for fluid leaks.  Oil is black, coolant is a bright greenish yellow, automatic transmission fluid is pink, power steering and brake fluids are clear with a slight brown tinge.
• Check for problems with brakes.  On a straight, flat and traffic-free stretch of road, rest your hands lightly on the steering wheel and apply the brakes gradually.  If the vehicle swerves to one side, one of the brake linings may be worn more than the other, or the brakes may need adjustment.
• Check for wheel alignment.  On a straight, flat and traffic-free stretch of road, rest your hands lightly on the steering wheel and drive at an even speed.  If the vehicle pulls to one side, the wheels may be misaligned.

Ford's Environmental Commitment  

  2008 Escape Hybrid