Expert advises Vancouverites how to save money amid skyrocketing gas prices

Gas has been at record highs for over a week in Metro Vancouver, rising to as high as $2.149 in some parts but one expert says drivers can still find savings.

Josh Smythe an automotive specialist with BCAA says gas savings are “step by step” rather than a “lump sum.”

“It’s a bunch of little actions that help. One of the primary actions I think is really important is always maintenance; proper air pressure in your tire helps you with resistance on the road, to help your vehicle roll.”

Smythe adds, taking care of your vehicle’s engine is also key to preventing additional weight which forces vehicles to use more fuel. He also says when commuting, taking the route with the smoothest flow will preserve energy.

“Stop-and-go traffic absorbs a lot of the power because instead of moving the vehicle forward, you’re hitting the brake and it’s absorbing the energy and stopping the car. So it’s a waste of momentum and energy.”

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Although saving money directly at the pump isn’t the solution, adjusting your speed and technique of driving on the road can overall cut costs.

“If I played with my telemetrics when I got onto the highway, and adjust my speed by five kilometer increments, I found that between 80 to 85 kilometers, is about the best fuel mileage you can get per hour. Obviously, I wouldn’t recommend you do that in the city, but adjust your travel path to the path of least resistance. If you have less lights to contend with, you’ll find that you’ll save fuel in the long run.”

However, Smythe says finding ways to save a few dollars on gas varies person to person, as commutes, vehicle type, and frequency of driving all play major roles in how and how much you can save

“It’s all very relative to how much you drive, how far you drive, how much fuel you normally consume. This is more of a long term effectiveness on saving, constantly being responsible is going to have the best effect.”

Compared to virtually every other region of B.C., Metro Vancouverites pay an additional 18.5 cents per litre, which goes to TransLink to help pay for local transit.