DRIVERS have been advised to follow a series of tips designed to help save fuel, cut costs, and lower emissions.
Among these is the lesser-known “five-second rule” and the “cup of coffee” technique, both of which encourage smoother pedal control and could potentially save vehicle owners hundreds of dollars annually.
Gently on your vehicle’s gas pedal could save $100s on fuel each year[/caption]
Motorists are urged to imagine a cup of coffee placed on their dashboard in a bid to encourage them to accelerate smoothly[/caption]
A plethora of clever strategies can help save on gas – which is rising in price across the country[/caption]
Natural Resources Canada, a resource for sustainable living, highlights the “five-second rule” as an effective way to manage acceleration.
The technique involves gently taking five seconds to reach 20 km/h from a stop, which helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
The “cup of coffee” method works with this rule by encouraging drivers to imagine a cup of coffee placed on their dashboard.
The goal is to accelerate smoothly without spilling the imaginary drink, which can improve control and fuel efficiency.
Additional strategies include avoiding frequent speed fluctuations, which can waste fuel and utilizing cruise control on highways.
Maintaining a safe distance from the car ahead and looking ahead at traffic can also help drivers keep a steady speed and reduce unnecessary fuel use.
Driving at the speed limit is equally important, as vehicles are most fuel-efficient between 50 and 80 km/h, while higher speeds lead to significantly increased fuel consumption.
Another effective method, often employed by endurance race car drivers, is coasting to slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator instead of using the brakes, which helps conserve fuel.
Avoiding engine idling for more than 60 seconds when not in traffic is another simple way to prevent wasting fuel unnecessarily.
Furthermore, tire pressures should be checked monthly to ensure they are properly inflated, as under-inflated tires can increase fuel usage and reduce their lifespan.
Drivers with manual transmissions are encouraged to shift gears smoothly at lower RPMs, as this can significantly improve fuel efficiency.
Other little known opportunities include reducing your vehicle’s weight by removing unnecessary items, such as tools or sports equipment, as well as removing roof or bike racks when not in use.
These can help with fuel consumption and streamline your vehicle, reducing aerodynamic drag, especially on highways.
Air conditioning should always be used sparingly as it can significantly increase fuel usage, particularly in city driving.
On hot days, opening the window may be sufficient enough.
This comes as drivers were warned earlier in the year that they need to brace for a brutal gas hike that could leave them shelling out more than $8 for every gallon.
A report predicts a staggering 75% spike in prices by the end of 2026, hitting wallets across one state in particular.
The report centers on California, where the upcoming closure of two major oil refineries is expected to slash fuel production.
The shutdowns involve the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles and Valero’s facility in Northern California.
Together, the two closures represent a 21% drop in the state’s oil refining capacity over three years, CW local affiliate KTLA reported.
The bombshell forecast comes from USC’s Marshall School of Business and was authored by Michael A. Mische.
“The estimated average consumer price of regular gasoline could potentially increase by as much as 75% from the April 23, 2025, price of $4.816 to $7.348 to $8.435 a gallon by calendar year end 2026,” Mische wrote.
“We can expect retail prices to be even higher in counties such as Mono and Humboldt.”
California consumes more than 13.1 million gallons of gasoline each day, according to the report.
But the state only produces just under 24% of the crude oil it needs.
What happens if you put the wrong fuel in your tank?
Dwanye Saunders, the owner of Genuine Automotive & Diesel in Austin, Texas, said the common mix up isn’t as dire as people think.
He told The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview there are things drivers should look out for at the pumps to avoid putting the wrong fuel in your tank, and what to do if it happens.
The first thing he noted is that most gas stations make it very difficult to fill a gas-powered car with diesel. At the pumps, size does matter.
“The nozzle for the diesel pump is usually much bigger than a gasoline pump,” he said.
“So, it’s pretty hard to put diesel in a gas tank, it’s actually easier to accidentally put gasoline in a diesel engine.”
If the wrong fuel type is used, drivers will know right away, as the engine will run incredibly rough before shutting off. When that happens, it’s important to not try and start the vehicle again, as it pushes the fuel further into the system. Forcing the wrong fuel through an ill-equipped engine can cost thousands in repairs, or even merit an engine replacement.
Instead, it’s best to have your vehicle towed to a trusted mechanic, where they’ll begin repairs.
“A good mechanic would drain the fuel tank and flush the lines with fresh gasoline, maybe run some fuel system cleaner through it and it’s usually not detrimental,” said Saunders.
Read more here.
