For the love of the planet, slow down!

According to SAAQ (la Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec), most road users in the province drive too fast. This behaviour affects everyone’s safety, and it also increases your fuel consumption, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions. In this article, discover the impacts of speed on your wallet and on the planet.

A matter of design

A large proportion of vehicles on our roads are passenger vehicles, such as sedans, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks. Design standards mean that, in most cases, these models optimize their fuel consumption when driven at speeds between 50 and 80 kilometres per hour.

Therefore, the more you drive above this speed range, the more gas-guzzling your car will be. For example, if you’re driving on the highway at 120 instead of 100 kilometres per hour, you’re using about 20 percent more fuel. This is a proven fact.

Consistency pays off

Repeated switches between acceleration and braking, especially when overtaking another vehicle or changing lanes, also reduce fuel efficiency. Again, studies show that fuel consumption can increase by 20 percent when your speed fluctuates every 18 seconds between 75 and 85 kilometres per hour.

The idea is, therefore, to slow down in general, but also to avoid unnecessary speed variations. To avoid frequent braking on the highway, anticipate the movements of other drivers. When conditions allow, you can also use your cruise control to maintain a constant speed.

In short, reducing your fuel consumption helps you space out your trips to the gas station. More importantly, it reduces your greenhouse gas emissions. Considering that this source of pollution has a significant impact on air quality, a lighter foot on the accelerator undoubtedly has its advantages. Furthermore, speed remains one of the leading causes of fatal road accidents. So, for the sake of the planet and its inhabitants, slow down!

For more helpful tips, check back regularly on the M 360 Mechanic ​​blog.