Facing the ever-rising demand for gasoline at gas stations, many Canadian immigrants are shaking their heads and sighing, wondering what is happening to the world. Canada possesses such abundant oil resources that it struggles to find enough export markets for its surplus, so why is this upward trend in prices so unstoppable?
The Unstoppable Upward Trend in Demand
Experts generally provide three explanations: First, Canada has signed the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Mexico, which mandates that if Canadian gasoline is sold cheaply, it must be sold at the same price to its neighbors; second, summer is the peak season for road trips, and high demand for gasoline naturally leads to rising prices; third, occasional tensions in the international situation, such as the standoff between Russia and Ukraine or the violent conflict between Israel and Palestine, lead to rising oil prices in the international market.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that customers at a gas station in Whitehorse, in northern Canada, were complaining about the rising demand while refueling. One female customer complained that although it is said that demand drops after summer, she has not seen demand decrease in recent years; it only moves in one direction, which is upward. A male customer helplessly remarked that if you don't add gas, the car won't move, so you have no choice but to pay up—what else can you do?
Ways to Cope with High Demand
In fact, there are ways to deal with high oil prices. If there is a public transit system, use public transportation more often; if you can afford a small-displacement car, replace your gas-guzzling vehicle with a smaller one; if you can spend a bit more, buy a super fuel-efficient hybrid car; or join the ranks of the "super fuel-savers" who count every drop to save fuel. Lawrence Purdy, who lives in Whitehorse, the largest city in Canada near the Arctic Circle, ignored his tall stature and bought a small-displacement, compact Toyota Yaris when changing cars; furthermore, even before changing cars, he was already a super fuel-saver, never missing an opportunity to drive in a fuel-efficient manner.
Fuel-Efficient Driving Habits
Lawrence says that driving in a fuel-efficient way has become his hobby, and he estimates that it saves him about 20% on fuel over a year, which is nearly several hundred Canadian dollars. So, how do super fuel-savers save fuel? In a nutshell, it is to "make the best possible use of the car's inertia." Specific practices include:
When going downhill, choose neutral gear and use the car's gravity to coast.
Maintain proper tire pressure, as insufficient tire pressure significantly increases fuel consumption.
Remove everything unnecessary from the car; unless you encounter a gas station with particularly cheap prices, only fill the tank halfway each time to reduce weight. Reducing a car's weight by 10% can save 6% in fuel.
When accelerating, press the gas pedal lightly and use less fuel; when braking, press the brake pedal gently whenever it is safe to do so.
Do not exceed the speed limit; this not only avoids getting a speeding ticket from the police but is also a shortcut to saving fuel. Research shows that for most cars, the most economical speed is around 90 kilometers per hour.
Minimize the use of air conditioning; keep the windows closed when driving at high speeds.
