Road Trip Special: Fuel Saving Tips

While Canadians love to hit the open road during the summer, many may be contemplating whether or not to sideline their vacation plans due to the cost of filling up at the pump.
Shell offers tips to help drivers stretch their fuel further and help keep their summer road trip on track:
1. Regular maintenance will help keep your vehicle running longer and can help save money at the pump: Regular servicing and following the service recommendations for your vehicle – such as changing the air filter, spark plugs, engine oil and other fluids – ensure optimum performance and fuel efficiency. A poorly maintained vehicle can consume 15% more fuel than a well-maintained vehicle.
2. Tire pressure can affect the fuel-efficiency of your vehicle: Operating a vehicle with just one tire under-inflated by 8 psi (56 kPa) can reduce the life of the tire by 15,000 kilometres and increase the vehicle’s fuel consumption by 4%.
3. The faster you drive, the more wind resistance you’ll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume to maintain speed. Reducing your speed to 90 km/h from 110km/h saves up to 20% of your fuel. Follow the speed limit and use cruise control on flat highway terrain to prevent inadvertent speeding and help save fuel by keeping your speed constant.
4.Stay cool without the air conditioning: Whenever possible, stick with using the fan instead of the AC, which uses more fuel and puts added strain on the engine.
5. Use a high quality gasoline that improves engine performance while driving. Shell says its Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines use the most advanced Shell technology to help clean and protect critical engine parts from performance-robbing gunk.

This summer, Shell Canada wants to give Canadians the chance to have their next road trip fuelled by Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines through the Shell Favourite Road Trip Contest, which invites Canadians to relive their favourite Canadian road trip memories for a chance to win one of three prizes of $1,000 in Shell fuel.
“At Shell, we’re passionate about helping drivers get the most out of every road trip,” says Diana Hamadeh, Shell Canada communications manager. “Through our Shell Favourite Road Trip Contest, we’re celebrating treasured road trip memories, and giving Canadians the chance to be fuelled up for their next epic drive.”
Now through August 29, 2011 Canadians can visit www.shell.ca/favouriteroadtrip to submit an essay, in 250 words or less, describing their favourite Canadian road trip (one entry per person). Eligible entrants will have a chance to win one of three prizes of $1,000 in Shell fuel.