Eco-Driving: safe, economical and environmentally responsible

In this day and age, eco-driving is THE driving style. More than just a trend, eco-driving is synonymous with safe, efficient and environmentally responsible driving. Eco-driving is a simple task to manage: all you have to do is apply a few tips aimed at reducing fuel consumption.

Prevent the engine from idling
Leaving the engine idle for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more greenhouse gas emissions than turning off the engine and starting it up again.

Eco-driving tips:

Turn off the engine as soon as you stop for more than 60 seconds, except for traffic stops of course.
In winter, do not warm up your vehicle longer than 30 seconds. It is recommended to drive at low speed for a few kilometres in order to progressively warm up the engine as well as all the other mobile parts.

Anticipate the traffic flow
Unnecessary acceleration or braking systematically increases fuel consumption.

Eco-driving tips:

Pay attention to traffic to anticipate slowdowns so all you have to do is lift your foot instead of braking.
Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Leave a distance of 5 to 6 seconds with the vehicle in front of you.

Observe speed limits
If you are driving at 120km/hour, your fuel consumption is 20% higher than if you were driving at 100km/h.

Eco-driving tips:

Use cruise control on the highway to maintain a constant speed.
Leave earlier so you don’t have to drive fast and stressed.

Check your revolution counter (tachometer)
When you exceed 3,000 revolutions /minute, your motor uses a lot of energy.

Eco-driving tips:

Learn to adjust your acceleration to avoid exceeding 3,000 revolutions /minute.
For vehicles with manual transmission, shift into higher gear as quickly as possible, ideally at 2,500 revolutions /minute.

A few complementary eco-driving tips

Plan your driving route to avoid traffic jams or road works.
Check tire pressure once a month.
Remove all items that could increase the vehicle’s air resistance (baggage racks, ski racks, etc.)
Minimize the use of the air conditioner.
Ensure periodic maintenance of your vehicle.
Use other means of transportation: biking, public transit, carpool, etc.

By becoming an eco-driver you will contribute to reducing air pollution, reduce the risks of accidents and easily save 10% to 20% on your fuel bill.