CAMBRIDGE, Ontario — Skyrocketing gasoline prices are forcing about two-thirds of Canadian drivers to stay closer to home this summer, according to a survey commissioned by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC).
According to the survey of 1,538 Canadian drivers, conducted April 8-10 by Leger Marketing Inc., about 66% said fuel prices will force them to cancel or limit road trips this summer.
Among drivers aged 18 to 24, that number climbs to 75%. Unfortunately, about 80% of Canadian drivers said they believe high gasoline prices are here to stay.
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The survey also revealed a significant disconnect between drivers understanding that proper tire inflation improves fuel economy and their knowledge about when and how to measure and set the correct tire pressure.
Nearly all survey respondents (97%) understand proper tire inflation is essential to vehicle safety with 93% agreeing that correct tire pressure saves fuel. However, only 27% said they check their tire inflation pressures monthly, the frequency of measurements recommended by tire makers.
Other survey results regarding proper tire inflation include:
- 59% are unaware inflation pressures should only be measured when tires are cold.
- 34% refer to the air pressure stamped on the tire's sidewall when identifying the correct pressure for their tires. (The imprinted sidewall pressure is the maximum pressure a tire can contain under maximum load, not the recommended inflation level. The correct inflation pressure for tires is on the vehicle placard, which is commonly located on the driver's door jamb, the TDAC said.)
- 14% either rely on visual inspections or do not know how to determine if their tires are inflated properly.
"With these substantial knowledge gaps about tire maintenance, it's apparent that drivers need more education to improve their fuel economy effectively," TRAC President Carol Hochu said.
"With gas prices at all-time highs and no relief in sight thus far, the time has come for all drivers to arm themselves with the knowledge needed to lower fuel costs.
"Monthly checks to ensure your tires are correctly inflated are the most effective way to achieve the best fuel economy and extract the most value from your tires," she said. "Combined with the right driving habits such as reducing idling, maintaining a steady speed, accelerating gently and coasting to decelerate, these small, simple practices can add up to big improvements in fuel economy."
TRAC said motorists can improve their gas mileage by 0.6% on average — and up to 3% in some cases — by keeping their tires inflated to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure. Additionally, underinflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for each 1 PSI drop in the average pressure of all tires. Driving a vehicle with just one tire underinflated by 8 psi can increase vehicle fuel consumption by 4%.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2019 Canadians purchased 11 billion gallons of gasoline. With a 0.6% gas mileage improvement resulting from proper tire inflation, drivers would have avoided having to buy 67 million gallons of gasoline and saved about $490 million, according to TRAC.
TRAC said it is encouraging drivers to learn more about maximizing the fuel efficiency and performance of their tires by visiting tracanada.ca/consumers.
