DriveWiser is here to help Nova Scotians drive, maintain and buy for fuel efficiency to save you money, reduce Nova Scotia's GHG emissions and improve air quality.

We provide information to help you get from a to b using the least amount of fuel possible. We want to help you research and understand fuel efficient vehicles, and the links between fuel consumption, good car maintenance and driving habits - which is where anyone can see big savings right away, regardless of the car you have.

DriveWiser is a motor vehicle fuel efficiency program run by the non-profit Clean Nova Scotia, and funded by Conserve Nova Scotia and Natural Resources Canada.

Summer Driving Tips

Summer has officially begun about two weeks ago. You know what that means. Road trips!

Before you set off sight-seeing what our beautiful country has to offer, you better make sure that you’re car is all set for the journey before you set off. If you don’t, you could be wasting up to 30% of your fuel for the trip! That’s money that could be well spent on boogie board rentals and ice cream!

First, when packing up the car, keep in mind that every 100 pounds you add to your vehicle means a 2% increase in fuel consumption. Any items that you don’t need, get rid of them. That means finally getting rid of that bag of salt and shovel in the trunk – don’t worry, it won’t be snowing in July (fingers crossed anyway). Try to pack lightly and be sure to get rid of unneeded items in the trunk.

To use air conditioning or to not use air conditioning, that’s the question. Well, it really depends. Air conditioning creates a drain on the engine which requires that it use more gas. During summer months it can be really tempting to turn the A/C on and leave it on. However, if you are doing any kind of driving at lower speeds such as in town driving or residential driving, it is more efficient to just roll down the windows and cool off the cabin that way. If you are driving on the highway at higher rates of speed, it’s better to turn on the air conditioning for a few minutes, cool down the cabin, then turn it off again. If you roll down the windows at higher speeds, you are creating significant amounts of drag, which means your car needs to work harder to maintain your desired level of speed.

A well maintained car is an efficient one. Make sure you check your car’s oil and air filters before the big trip. Dirty oil can cost you 12% more in gas, while a dirty air filter will cost you up to 10% more in gas. Taking your vehicle into a trusted mechanic at regularly scheduled intervals ensures your vehicle is consistently driving efficiently.

Check those tires! Every two PSI (pounds per square inch) that your tire is underinflated costs 1% more gas. That may not seem like a lot, but remember, that’s just for one tire. If all your tires are underinflated by two PSI, then you are needlessly wasting 4% of your gas. Make sure you consult the sticker on the driver’s door jamb or the owner’s manual for your vehicle’s correct tire pressure rating. NEVER use the rating on the sidewall of the tire. Also, make sure you check your car’s tire pressure when the tires are cold. When they are warm, you do not get an accurate reading.

Keeping these simple tips in mind when you are on the road will not only help you to save money on gas, but it will also help to save the environment around us.

Enjoy the hot summer weather and remember to drive safely and efficiently!