According to a recent survey by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC), two-thirds of Canadian drivers will be staying closer to home this summer.
The survey found that 66 percent of drivers say fuel prices will force them to cancel or limit road trips this summer. Among young drivers ages 18 to 24, that number jumps to 75 percent.
The study also indicates that eight out of ten Canadian drivers believe that high gas prices are here to stay.
Most Saskatchewan drivers agree with that thinking, with 78 percent saying they believe current gas prices are the “new normal” and will be with us for a long time.
Recently, gasoline has been selling for about $1.90 a liter at some gas stations in Saskatchewan, more than $2.00 at some gas stations in Ontario, with some provinces seeing prices as high as $2.15 to $2. ,3. 4.
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The survey was completed with the help of 1,538 Canadian drivers who were surveyed between April 8-10 of this year, via an online panel. A probability sample of the same size would return a margin of error of +/-2.5%, 19 times out of 20.
When it comes to managing proper vehicle maintenance, which experts say can help drivers get more for their money and save fuel, a few key findings show that:
- Nearly all (97 percent) understand that proper tire inflation is essential to vehicle safety
- 93 percent agree that correct tire pressure saves fuel.
- 72 percent agree that properly inflated tires reduce vehicle emissions and protect the environment.
TRAC said the survey findings also revealed a significant disconnect between drivers’ understanding that proper tire inflation improves fuel economy and their knowledge of when and how to measure and set the correct tire pressure.
Only 27 percent of drivers check tire inflation pressure monthly, which is the number recommended by tire manufacturers.
The study also found that 59 percent don’t know that inflation pressure should only be measured when tires aren’t getting hot from use. According to TRAC, a vehicle must be stopped for at least three hours or driven no more than two kilometers before checking tire inflation.
“With these substantial knowledge gaps in tire maintenance, it is clear that drivers need more education to effectively improve their fuel economy,” said Carol Hochu, president of TRAC.
“With gas prices at record highs and no relief in sight thus far, the time has come for all drivers to arm themselves with the knowledge necessary to reduce fuel costs,” Hochu explained.
“Monthly checks to make sure your tires are properly inflated are the most effective way to get the best fuel economy and extract the most value from your tires. Combined with the correct driving habits, such as reducing idle, maintaining a constant speed, accelerating smoothly and stopping to slow down, these small and simple practices can add up to big improvements in fuel economy,” he added.
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Hochu went on to say that drivers can save on high gas prices by learning a few techniques to ensure they are always driving on properly inflated tires.
According to TRAC, industry studies show that motorists can improve their gas mileage by 0.6 percent on average, up to 3 percent in some cases, by keeping their tires inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. .
Additionally, TRAC said under-inflated tires can reduce gas mileage by about 0.2 percent for every PSI drop in the average pressure of all tires. Driving a vehicle with just one tire under inflated by 56 kPa (8 psi) can increase the vehicle’s fuel economy by four percent.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2019 Canadians bought 43 billion liters of gasoline.
TRAC said that with a 0.6 percent improvement in gas mileage as a result of proper tire inflation, drivers could have avoided buying 258 million liters of gasoline and saved about $490 million.
TRAC also notes that saving this much gasoline would also prevent the release of 593,000 metric tons of COtwo into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to the emissions of 125,000 vehicles in a year.
Reference-globalnews.ca