Table of Contents - Manitoba Public Insurance

Table of Contents
Module 1. Driving and the environment � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 1
Module 2. Behind the wheel � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 8
Module 3. The vehicle for you � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 17
Module 4. Auto$mart summary � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 25
Auto$mart Student Workbook
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
PART
Module 1. Driving and the environment
1
Warm-up exercise –
Questions for students
Intended learning outcomes
The way Canadians consume energy has long-term
implications for Canada’s climate. Over the next
100 years, scientists expect the temperature in
parts of the country to rise 5°C. This climate change
will have far-reaching consequences for the
environment. By adopting fuel-efficient driving
practices, Canadians can do their part to reduce the
impact their driving has on the environment.
After completing this module, you will understand
§§ the relationship between driving – and the
burning of fossil fuels – and the health of the
planet
§§ the seriousness of climate change and its
impact on Canadian people, communities and
wildlife
§§ the importance of fuel-efficient driving choices
and habits
Take a few moments to complete this quiz. If you’re not
sure whether something is true or false, take your best
guess. We’ll talk about the answers later.
True or False?
1.Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas (GHG)
produced when fossil fuels, such as gasoline and
diesel, burn.
T¨ F¨
2.Climate change affects your health and that of your
family, friends and neighbours.
T¨
F¨
3.You can minimize the impact your driving has on the
environment by lowering your fuel consumption.
T¨ F¨
4.Canadians consume less energy than the citizens of
all other industrialized countries.
T¨
F¨
5.Drivers must spend more money to drive fuel
T¨
efficiently.
F¨
6.GHGs occur naturally in the atmosphere, so they
pose no threat to people.
T¨
Auto$mart Student Workbook
F¨
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PART
Module 1. Driving and the environment
2.
Theory – Driving and
the environment
The quality of life that Canadians enjoy is the envy of the
world. But is it sustainable? Canada consumes more
energy per person than almost any other country, due in
part to our reliance on automobiles. Together, we own
nearly 20 million vehicles and drive more than 300
billion kilometres each year.
Our climate, vast landmass and dispersed population
are partly to blame for our energy use. But Canadians
must take responsibility too. We often waste fuel without
realizing it. We buy bigger, less fuel-efficient vehicles than
we need. We also burn unnecessary gasoline and diesel
on the road because we speed and have other poor
driving habits
Energy consumption and the
environment
An engine emits dozens of gases that can impact air
quality and environment. Chief among them is carbon
dioxide (CO2), the principal greenhouse gas (GHG) that
traps heat from the sun near the earth’s surface and
contributes to changes in the global climate.
A vehicle produces about 2.3 kilograms (kg) of CO2 for
every litre of gasoline it burns. And for every litre of
diesel it consumes, a vehicle produces about 2.7 kg of
CO2. On average, cars produce roughly three times their
weight in CO2 emissions every year.
Fast facts
With nearly one vehicle for every two
people, Canada has one of the
highest rates of car ownership in the
world.
The problem with GHGs
GHGs make life on this planet possible. Found naturally
in the atmosphere, these gases provide warmth to
animals, plants and people. Without them, the average
temperature on the earth would drop 33°C, resulting in
an environment too cold for many species to survive.1
Yet it’s possible to have too much of a good thing,
especially when it comes to CO2 and other GHGs. Too
many GHGs in the atmosphere causes temperatures
around the world to rise – dangerously. Consider for a
moment the devastating impact even a modest increase
in temperature would have.
§§ Sea levels would rise, threatening the safety of coastal
communities.
§§ Dry conditions in some areas would lead to forest
fires, droughts and crop failures.
§§ Summers would intensify, diminishing the air quality
of urban areas and compromising the health of
people affected with asthma and other respiratory
conditions.
§§ Floods, droughts, rainstorms and other extreme
weather events would become more frequent and
severe, posing numerous dangers to Canadians and
their property.
1Pollution
Probe, Primer on Automobile Fuel Efficiency and Emissions (2009),
p. 19, www.pollutionprobe.org/publications/primers.html
(cited December 2010).
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
Module 1. Driving and the environment
The average Canadian vehicle releases
more than four tonnes of CO2 –
roughly the weight of eight full-grown
dairy cows – every year.
You can help minimize the impact of your driving on the
environment by reducing your fuel consumption. The
most obvious way to consume less fuel is to drive less.
Avoid the daily drive to work by telecommuting or, on
short trips, save fuel by walking, biking, busing or
carpooling to your destination. Even on longer
excursions, you can dramatically reduce the time you
spend on the road by thinking before you drive.
A little travel management can help you realize big fuel
– and environmental – savings. Combine trips and run
several errands one after the other. Plan your route with
the help of up-to-date roadmaps, to avoid stoplights,
backtracking, rush-hour traffic and steep hills that
require your vehicle’s engine to work hard. Listen to
traffic reports on the radio to steer clear of accidents,
road construction and other trouble spots. And give
yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going.
PART
Fast facts
Indeed, as drivers, we can do a lot to conserve fuel and
lessen our environmental footprint. The Auto$mart
program shows us how. This lesson shows us why we
must.
3. Video
In this episode
We learn that Canadians’ reliance on automobiles
affects the earth’s climate. To cut down on the GHGs that
our vehicles emit into the atmosphere, we must drive like
the future depends on it – because it does. More
specifically, we must park our vehicles and plan our trips.
Four friends and several other eco-conscious Canadians
show us how.
Onscreen lessons to learn
§§ Gas- and diesel-burning vehicles produce CO2 – a
GHG. Other vehicle emissions – such as volatile
organic compounds, carbon monoxide and oxides of
nitrogen – are contaminants that contribute to air
pollution and smog.
§§ GHG emissions affect the earth’s climate.
§§ Climate change compromises the survival of some
living things.
Fast facts
Canadians drive approximately
300 billion kilometres every year –
enough to make about 1000 trips to
the sun and back.
§§ As a driver, you can take several easy steps to lower
your fuel consumption, minimize your emissions and
help protect the planet.
Auto$mart Student Workbook
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Module 1. Driving and the environment
PART
Review activity
4
4.Canadians consume less energy than the citizens of
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Answers
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1.Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas (GHG)
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produced when fossil fuels, such as gasoline and
diesel, burn.
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5.Drivers must spend more money to drive fuel
efficiently.
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2.Climate change affects your health and that of your
family, friends and neighbours.
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6.GHGs occur naturally in the atmosphere, so they
pose no threat to people.
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3.You can minimize the impact your driving has on the
environment by lowering your fuel consumption.
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
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PART
Module 1. Driving and the environment
. Group work
5
Question 3
What can you do before you get behind the wheel to
limit your fuel consumption?
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Question 1
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What is a greenhouse gas?
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Question 2
What are some of the potential consequences of
climate change?
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PART
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6
Review of key points
§§Fuel efficiency is about using the least amount of fuel
possible to drive a vehicle.
§§Fuel efficiency is important because burning less fuel
means producing fewer GHGs.
§§The main GHG that vehicles emit is CO .
§§CO and other GHGs cause climate change, which
2
2
affects our environment and compromises our health.
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
PART
Module 2. Behind the wheel
1
Warm-up exercise –
Questions for students
Intended learning outcomes
After completing this module, students will
appreciate that how they drive influences their
vehicles’ fuel consumption, operating costs and
environmental impact. Specifically, students will be
able to
Take a few moments to complete this quiz. If you’re not
sure whether something is true or false, take your best
guess. We’ll talk about the answers later.
§§ recognize the impact of their driving styles on
fuel efficiency
1.Fuel-efficient driving habits always save you money
§§ identify the environmental and financial
benefits of fuel-efficient driving
§§ name the five fuel-efficient driving habits that
together can cut fuel consumption by as much
as 25%, regardless of vehicle size or type.
True or False?
T¨
at the pump.
F¨
2.The faster you drive on the highway, the less time
you spend on the road, which helps reduce fuel
consumption.
T¨ F¨
3.In the city, about half of the fuel your vehicle
consumes is used for acceleration.
T¨
F¨
4.Drivers who maintain a constant speed waste the
most fuel – and money.
T¨
F¨
5.Defensive driving techniques promote road safety,
not fuel efficiency.
T¨
F¨
6.You can decrease your vehicle’s speed without
applying the brakes.
T¨
F¨
7.Vehicles consume about 20% more fuel travelling
120 kilometres per hour (km/hr) than 100 km/hr.
T¨ F¨
Auto$mart Student Workbook
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Module 2. Behind the wheel
PART
– Behind the
2 Theory
wheel
What type of driver will you be? An aggressive driver who
craves speed and wants the whole world to notice? A
rushed driver who continually cuts corners to save a few
seconds, or maybe an indifferent driver who just goes
through the motions to get from here to there? Your
choice could cost you – and not just in speeding tickets,
bumper repairs and insurance hikes. Your actions behind
the wheel could increase your fuel consumption by up to
25%.
Choose instead to be a fuel-efficient driver. These drivers
save hundreds of dollars each year and lessen their
environmental footprint by adopting five straightforward
fuel-efficient driving techniques.
Fast facts
By adopting a few simple techniques,
the average driver could save $500 per
year in fuel costs and prevent 1000
kilograms of carbon dioxide from
entering the atmosphere (based on
$1.00 per litre).
1. Accelerate gently.
Stopped? Get your vehicle going again by pressing
the pedal down gently and taking about five
seconds to accelerate to 20 km/hr. Imagine an egg
under your accelerator pedal and an open, nearly
full cup of coffee on your dashboard. Don’t break
the shell or spill the drink! You will not only avoid
costly accidents but also save fuel and money.
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
2. Maintain a steady speed.
Dips in speed, followed by sudden surges to keep
pace, take a toll on your gas tank – and your wallet.
Even small fluctuations of 5 km/hr can consume a
lot of fuel. To maintain a steady speed and optimize
your fuel savings, consider using cruise control for
highway driving where conditions permit. You’ll reach
your destination just as quickly and use less fuel.
3. Anticipate traffic.
It pays to be safe – literally. You can lower your fuel
costs (not to mention your insurance bills) simply by
observing vehicles, pedestrians and obstacles on
the road around you. Pay particular attention to
sirens, slow-moving vehicles, children and animals
that may dart into traffic, and signs of construction
up ahead. Leave plenty of space between you and
the vehicle in front, and plan your manoeuvres well
in advance to maintain your vehicle’s momentum
and avoid unnecessary stops. By keeping your eyes
and ears peeled, you’ll prevent traffic irregularities
from becoming traffic emergencies, and avoid the
need to slam on the brakes or swerve into other
lanes, while conserving fuel.
4. Coast to decelerate.
Next time you need to come to a stop under normal
circumstances, just take your foot off the accelerator.
Unless you’re on a downward slope, your vehicle will
gradually slow down – saving wear on your brake
pads and fuel in your gas tank and putting cash in
your pocket. Most vehicles today are equipped with
fuel-injection systems that automatically shut off the
flow of fuel to the engine when you take your foot off
the accelerator. In this mode, vehicles coast to a
stop and use no fuel.
Module 2. Behind the wheel
5. Avoid high speeds.
What’s the rush? Cars, vans and light trucks and
alternative fuel vehicles operate most efficiently
between 50 and 80 km/hr. Push your vehicle past
its prime, and it will burn more fuel – taking a toll on
your wallet. Above this optimal speed zone, vehicles
consume increasingly more fuel the faster they go.
At 120 km/hr, a vehicle needs 20% more fuel than
at 100 km/hr.
§§ Always in a hurry, rushed drivers save little time
despite accelerating hastily, passing other drivers
frequently and consuming fuel carelessly.
§§ Fuel-efficient drivers save fuel and money and improve
the safety of Canada’s roadways.
PART
In short, you don’t need to be a superhero to save the
planet. With these five simple driving techniques, you
can reduce your fuel consumption, curb climate change
and minimize the impact of your driving on the
environment – all while staying safe and saving money.
3Video
In this episode
We discover why the gas pedal would be better called
the money pedal. Aggressive acceleration drains our fuel
tanks and our wallets. To drive our money directly to the
bank, we must get in the groove – keeping our speed
down and steady, anticipating traffic and changes in
road conditions, and coasting to decelerate.
Onscreen lessons to learn
§§ Five simple driving techniques can improve the fuel
efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your time on the
road: accelerate gently, maintain a steady speed,
anticipate traffic, coast to decelerate and avoid high
speeds.
§§ Aggressive drivers accelerate quickly, brake hard, drive
fast, make frequent lane changes and pass other
drivers whenever possible. These drivers consume
more fuel.
Auto$mart Student Workbook
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Module 2. Behind the wheel
PART
. Review activity
4
4.Drivers who maintain a constant speed waste the
most fuel – and money.
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Answers
1.Fuel-efficient driving habits always save you money
at the pump.
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5.Defensive driving techniques promote road safety,
not fuel efficiency.
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2.The faster you drive on the highway, the less time
you spend on the road, which helps reduce fuel
consumption.
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6.You can decrease your vehicle’s speed without
applying the brakes.
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3.In the city, about half of the fuel your vehicle
consumes is used for acceleration.
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7.Vehicles consume about 20% more fuel travelling
120 kilometres per hour (km/hr) than 100 km/hr.
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
PART
Module 2. Behind the wheel
Group work
5
Question 1
What can you do behind the wheel to improve your
vehicle’s fuel efficiency?
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Question 3
What are personal benefits of fuel-efficient driving?
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Question 2
What are environmental benefits of fuel-efficient
driving?
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
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PART
Module 2. Behind the wheel
6
Review of key points
§§Driving behaviour impacts the amount of fuel that
vehicles consume.
§§Aggressive driving is inefficient and increases wear on
your vehicle.
§§Fuel-efficient driving is safe, cost-effective and
environmentally responsible.
§§Five easy-to-adopt fuel-efficient driving techniques are
accelerating gently, maintaining a steady speed,
avoiding high speeds, anticipating traffic and coasting
to decelerate.
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
PART
Module 3. The vehicle for you
Intended learning outcomes
Choosing a vehicle to buy is a big decision. A
driver’s selection will affect his or her wallet and will
impact the environment for years. This module helps
give buyers the information they require to find the
most fuel-efficient vehicle for their needs. After
completing the module, students will be able to
§§ compare vehicles based on their fuel efficiency
1
Warm-up exercise –
Questions for students
Take a few moments to complete this quiz. If you’re not
sure whether something is true or false, take your best
guess. We’ll talk about the answers later.
True or False?
1.The heavier the vehicle, the more energy it needs to
T¨
move.
F¨
§§ identify vehicle features that affect fuel
efficiency
2.Many vehicle models come with a choice of more
§§ find more information on the fuel efficiency
ratings and performance of passenger vehicles
on the market
3.A hybrid electric vehicle stops working when its
§§ make environmentally conscious consumer
choices
than one engine size.
T¨
T¨
battery runs out.
F¨
F¨
4.Gasoline-powered vehicles consume 30% less fuel
on average than diesel-powered vehicles.
T¨
F¨
5.A vehicle with a fuel consumption rating of 10 litres
per 100 kilometres (L/100 km) is more fuelefficient than a vehicle rated at 7 L/100 km.
T¨ F¨
6.A four-wheel drive vehicle uses less fuel than a
two-wheel drive vehicle.
T¨
Auto$mart Student Workbook
F¨
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Module 3. The vehicle for you
PART
– The vehicle
2 Theory
for you
Are you in the market for a vehicle? Save money – and
the environment – for as long as you own the vehicle by
factoring fuel efficiency into your decision. Here are six
tips to help you find the most fuel-efficient vehicle for
your everyday driving needs.
1. Remember: the smaller,
the better.
Generally, the bigger the vehicle, the more it weighs.
The more it weighs, the more fuel it consumes and
carbon dioxide (CO2) it produces. Case in point, a
large sport utility vehicle (SUV) can produce six
tonnes (t) of CO2 annually, while a mid-sized vehicle
produces an average of only 4 t per year. Narrow
your options to the smallest class of vehicle that
adequately meets your everyday needs.
Fast facts
Cylinder deactivation enables V-6 and
V-8 engines to operate as though they
have fewer cylinders. While cylinder
deactivation can’t decrease the weight
of engines, it does reduce fuel
consumption under light-load
conditions by providing fuel to
activated cylinders only.
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
2. Reign in the horsepower.
The size of the engine you choose will affect the fuel
consumption of your vehicle. Don’t be oversold.
Many vehicle models can accommodate more than
one size of engine. Choose the smallest engine that
meets your needs. For example, opting for a
four-cylinder engine, rather than a six-cylinder
engine, could save you a significant amount of fuel
– and money – for every kilometre you drive.
3. Pick your power wisely.
Gasoline engines power most passenger vehicles.
However, some passenger vehicles come with diesel
engines, offering comparable performance, features
and comfort – and cut fuel consumption by as much
as 30%.
All-electric vehicles are also becoming a practical
option as their availability increases. They do not
have internal combustion engines. Instead, they are
fitted with electric motors that draw energy from
on-board battery packs. The battery packs must be
plugged in and recharged regularly. As a result,
all-electric vehicles don’t have the driving range of
conventional vehicles. Still, all-electric vehicles are
suitable for most of the trips you take every day, and
they produce zero on-road emissions.
Hybrid electric vehicles are a cross between
conventional automobiles and all-electric vehicles.
Engineered to use both an electric motor for energy
efficiency and an internal combustion engine for
convenient refuelling, hybrid electric vehicles have
the driving range of conventional vehicles yet
consume far less fuel – saving you money and
shrinking your environmental footprint.
Module 3. The vehicle for you
Whether you’re leaning toward an automatic or a
manual transmission, try to choose an option that
provides as many gears as possible. Additional
gears enable an engine to operate at optimal
efficiency, keeping your fuel consumption – and fuel
costs – down.
Fast facts
Continuously variable transmissions
are the most fuel-efficient, because
they enable your vehicle’s engine to
perform at optimal efficiency over a
broader range of speeds.
their fuel consumption
ratings, estimated CO2
emissions and annual fuel
costs. You can also find
fuel consumption
information on the
EnerGuide labels affixed to the windows of new vehicles
for sale at car dealerships. Note that the fewer litres per
100 km a vehicle requires, the more fuel-efficient it is.
With a little research and a lot of consideration about
your everyday driving needs, you can find a fuel-efficient
ride that’s perfect for you.
PART
4. Gear up your transmission.
3. Video
In this episode
5. Watch the weight of your wheels.
Four-wheel and all-wheel drives enable your vehicle
to accelerate and climb better on slippery and loose
surfaces. The improved performance, however,
comes at a cost. Vehicles that use four-wheel or
all-wheel drive consume up to 10% more fuel than
their two-wheel-drive cousins, due to the weight and
friction of additional drivetrain parts.
6. Think aerodynamic.
Fuel efficiency is not only smart but also stylish.
Sleek contours, rounded edges and smooth textures
make for a sophisticated, aerodynamic design that
reduces wind resistance and improves fuel
efficiency.
Are you still unsure which vehicle to buy? Use Natural
Resource Canada’s Fuel Consumption Guide to find a
fuel-efficient vehicle. The guide is available online at
vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca and compares vehicles based on
We discover what makes the big moment – the
experience of buying a first vehicle – so significant. It’s
exciting and can be a little overwhelming. We also learn,
however, that a bit of homework can help clear up a
buyer’s confusion. To make the most of this big decision
in our lives, all we have to do is analyse our lifestyles
and choices, avoid the temptation to buy especially
thirsty vehicles and crunch a few numbers. This episode
shows us how.
Onscreen lessons to learn
§§ Buy the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your
everyday needs.
§§ Do you really need a vehicle? People who have
infrequent need of a vehicle can save money by
renting vehicles on occasion or joining auto-sharing
programs.
§§ A vehicle’s weight, fuel type, transmission, number of
powered wheels, extra features, aerodynamics and
rolling resistance influence the amount of fuel it
consumes.
Auto$mart Student Workbook
21
Module 3. The vehicle for you
§§ Alternative fuels and new technologies, such as
continuously variable transmissions and hybrid
vehicles, can help reduce the impact your driving has
on the environment.
§§ You can find more information online about the fuel
consumption ratings of all light-duty cars and trucks
sold in Canada at vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca.
2.Many vehicle models come with a choice of more
than one engine size.
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3.A hybrid electric vehicle stops working when its
battery runs out.
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4.Gasoline-powered vehicles consume 30% less fuel
on average than diesel-powered vehicles use.
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PART
Review activity
4
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Answers
1.The heavier the vehicle, the more energy it needs to
move.
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5.A vehicle with a fuel consumption rating of 10 litres
per 100 kilometres (L/100 km) is more fuelefficient than a vehicle rated at 7 L/100 km.
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22
Auto$mart Student Workbook
6.A four-wheel drive vehicle uses less fuel than a
two-wheel drive vehicle.
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PART
Module 3. The vehicle for you
5
Group work
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Question 1
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What does vehicle size have to do with fuel savings?
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Question 2
What vehicle options and features contribute to high
fuel consumption?
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Question 3
Where can you learn more about a vehicle’s fuel
consumption?
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
23
PART
Module 3. The vehicle for you
6
Review of key points
§§Think carefully about your daily driving needs and buy
the most fuel-efficient vehicle possible to meet them.
§§Light vehicles generally consume the least amount of
fuel.
§§A vehicle’s transmission type, drivetrain configuration
and extra features affect its fuel consumption.
§§New technologies – such as cylinder deactivation,
continuously variable transmissions, and clean diesel
and hybrid vehicles – can help you shrink your
environmental footprint and save money on fuel.
§§You can find more information online about the
estimated fuel consumption ratings, greenhouse gas
emissions and annual fuel costs of light-duty cars and
trucks at vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca.
24
Auto$mart Student Workbook
PART
Module 4. Auto$mart summary
1
Warm-up exercise –
Questions for students
Intended learning outcomes
This module reinforces what students have learned
in the previous three modules of this course.
Students will review
§§ the effects of driving on the environment
§§ the five fuel-efficient driving techniques
§§ the environmental, financial and safety benefits
of fuel-efficient driving
§§ the importance of choosing the most fuelefficient vehicles to meet their everyday driving
needs
Take a few moments to complete this quiz. If you’re not
sure whether something is true or false, take your best
guess. We’ll talk about the answers later.
True or False?
1.When a vehicle burns fuel, it produces carbon
dioxide (CO2) – a greenhouse gas (GHG) that can
change weather conditions and climate patterns
and threaten the survival of some living things.
T¨ F¨
2.The less fuel your vehicle burns, the fewer CO2
emissions it produces.
T¨
F¨
3.Defensive driving techniques that cost you money at
the pump are accelerating gently, maintaining a
steady speed, anticipating traffic, coasting to
decelerate and avoiding high speeds. T ¨ F ¨
4.Vehicles consume the most fuel when travelling
between 50 and 80 kilometres per hour (km/hr).
T¨ F¨
5.The only way to slow a vehicle down is to apply the
brakes.
T¨
F¨
6.Driving at high speeds cuts the amount of fuel you
consume, because you reach your destination faster
and spend less time on the road.
T¨ F¨
7.As a rule, the lighter a vehicle, the less fuel it
consumes.
T¨
Auto$mart Student Workbook
F¨
27
Module 4. Auto$mart summary
8.The more litres of fuel that a vehicle uses per
100 km, the more fuel-efficient it is. For example, a
vehicle with a fuel consumption rating of 10 litres
per 100 kilometres (L/100 km) uses less fuel than
a vehicle with a rating of 8 L/100 km. T ¨ F ¨
1. Accelerate gently.
Imagine an egg under your accelerator pedal and an
open, nearly full cup of coffee on your dashboard.
Take about five seconds to accelerate to 20 km/hr
so you don’t break the shell or spill the drink!
9.In vehicle models that feature two-wheel drive and
PART
all-wheel drive options, the two-wheel drive option
uses more fuel.
T¨ F¨
2
Theory – Auto$mart
summary
Vehicle engines burn fuel. As a result, they produce CO2,
a potentially dangerous GHG that traps heat from the
sun near the earth’s surface, raises global temperatures
and contributes to extreme weather conditions. Every
year, light-duty vehicles (e.g. cars, vans, light trucks,
sport utility vehicles [SUVs] and alternative fuel vehicles)
account for roughly 85 million tonnes (t) of CO2 and
other GHG emissions – the weight of more than
470 000 blue whales.
Fast facts
A vehicle produces about
2.3 kilograms (kg) of CO2 for every
litre of gasoline it burns.
You can help minimize these emissions by taking five
simple actions to conserve fuel – by as much as 25%
– and keep cash in your wallet. Next time you get behind
the wheel, do the following:
28
Auto$mart Student Workbook
2. Maintain a steady speed.
Optimize your fuel savings by avoiding casual dips in
speed and sudden accelerations. Where road, traffic
and weather conditions permit, use cruise control on
relatively flat stretches of highway.
3. Anticipate traffic.
Keep your eyes open for vehicles, pedestrians and
obstacles on the road around you, and plan your
manoeuvres well in advance to avoid hitting the
brakes or swerving into other lanes unnecessarily.
4. Coast to decelerate.
Come to a slow stop simply by taking your foot off
the accelerator. The fuel-injection systems fitted in
most vehicles will automatically reduce the flow of
fuel to your engine, saving fuel – not to mention your
brake pads.
5. Avoid high speeds.
How far can you drive on a single tank of fuel? To go
the ultimate distance, heed the speed limit on the
highway. Travel any faster and your vehicle will need
increasingly more fuel.
Consider that a vehicle consumes 20% more fuel
cruising at 120 km/hr than at 100 km/hr. And to
what end? Driving at high speeds doesn’t
necessarily help you reach your destination much
sooner. At 100 km per hour, you can make a
50-kmtrip in 30 minutes. Increasing your speed to
120 km/hr will hike up the amount of fuel you
consume by as much as 20% and shave off only
five minutes of your travel time.
Module 4. Auto$mart summary
Do you need a new vehicle?
Choose the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your
everyday needs. Consult Natural Resources Canada’s
Fuel Consumption Guide (available online at
vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca) to compare vehicles based on their
fuel consumption ratings, estimated CO2 emissions and
annual fuel costs. And check out the EnerGuide labels
affixed to the windows of new vehicles on dealership lots
to see the fuel consumption information of your favourite
new rides.
Generally, the larger and
heavier the vehicle, the
more fuel it consumes.
Consider that for every
10% of added weight,
your vehicle will consume
about 6% more fuel – and produce about 6% more CO2
emissions. Choose the smallest and lightest vehicle to
meet your needs.
many gears as possible. Additional gears enable the
engine to operate at optimal efficiency at a broader
range of speeds, keeping your fuel consumption down.
Also, consider whether you really need a four-wheel or an
all-wheel drive vehicle. These vehicles consume as much
as 10% more fuel than their two-wheel-drive cousins.
All-wheel drive is even less fuel-efficient because it
powers all four wheels all of the time, even when they’re
not needed for added performance.
Before you take your ride
on the road
Whatever vehicle you use, remember: Think before you
drive. Ultimately, the surefire way to cut your fuel
consumption is to reduce your time on the road
altogether. Walk, bike or take the bus whenever possible.
And consider carpooling with friends and family to
shared destinations. Plan your trips to avoid stoplights,
backtracking, rush-hour traffic and steep hills, and run
several errands one after the other.
Fast facts
The average large SUV produces about
6 t of CO2 annually. The average
mid-size vehicle produces about 4 t.
The size of the engine you choose can also affect your
vehicle’s fuel consumption. Don’t be oversold. Many
vehicle models are available with more than one size of
engine. Choose the smallest one that meets your needs.
For example, opting for a four-cylinder, rather than a
six-cylinder, engine could save you fuel – and money
– on every kilometre you drive.
Whether you have your eye on an automatic or a manual
transmission, try to choose an option that provides as
Auto$mart Student Workbook
29
PART
Module 4. Auto$mart summary
3Video
In this episode
We explore whether we’ve truly earned the keys to our
freedom and future yet. Driving is a privilege that
demands skill, knowledge and responsibility behind the
wheel. We must be aware of the negative environmental
consequences of driving and take steps to cut our CO2
emissions. Our choices on the road and off can keep
fuel in our tanks and money in pockets, all while helping
the environment.
Onscreen lessons to learn
§§ CO2 emissions from cars and other passenger vehicles
contribute to the dangerous amount of GHGs in the
atmosphere, trapping heat from the sun near the
earth’s surface, raising global temperatures and
compromising the survival of some living things.
§§ You can cut your fuel consumption – and CO2
emissions – by as much as 25% by adopting five
straightforward driving techniques: accelerating gently,
maintaining a steady speed, anticipating traffic,
coasting to decelerate and avoiding high speeds.
§§ Fuel-efficient driving is safe and cost-effective driving.
§§ To realize even more fuel – and cost – savings, choose
the most fuel-efficient vehicle to meet your everyday
needs.
§§ Information on a vehicle’s fuel consumption ratings,
estimated CO2 emissions and annual fuel costs is
outlined in Natural Resources Canada’s Fuel
Consumption Guide, available online at vehicles.
nrcan.gc.ca. You will find additional information on
the EnerGuide label affixed to the windows of all new
vehicles for sale in Canada.
30
Auto$mart Student Workbook
PART
Module 4. Auto$mart summary
Review activity
4
4.Vehicles consume the most fuel when travelling
between 50 and 80 kilometres per hour (km/hr).
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Answers
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1.When a vehicle burns fuel, it produces CO2 – a GHG
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that can change weather conditions and climate
patterns and threaten the survival of some living
things.
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2.The less fuel your vehicle burns, the fewer CO2
emissions it produces.
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5.The only way to slow a vehicle down is to apply the
brakes.
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6.Driving at high speeds cuts the amount of fuel you
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consume, because you reach your destination faster
and spend less time on the road.
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3.Defensive driving techniques that cost you money at
the pump are accelerating gently, maintaining a
steady speed, anticipating traffic, coasting to
decelerate and avoiding high speeds.
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7.As a rule, the lighter the vehicle, the less fuel it
consumes.
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Auto$mart Student Workbook
31
8.The more litres of fuel that a vehicle uses per
100 km, the more fuel-efficient it is. For example, a
vehicle with a fuel consumption rating of
10 litres per 100 kilometres (L/100 km) uses less
fuel than a vehicle with a rating of 8 L/100 km.
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9.In vehicle models that feature two-wheel drive and
all-wheel drive options, the two-wheel drive options
use more fuel.
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PART
Module 4. Auto$mart summary
5
Group work
Question 1
Why should Canadians care about the amount of CO2
emissions that their vehicles produce?
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Question 2
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What five things can you do on the road to improve
your vehicle’s fuel efficiency?
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Question 3
How does fuel-efficient driving benefit you?
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32
Auto$mart Student Workbook
Question 4
Before you buy a vehicle, what are some things to
consider in terms of fuel efficiency?
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PART
Module 4. Auto$mart summary
6
Review of key points
§§ Climate change is a real concern.
§§ CO2 emissions from vehicles contribute to climate
change.
§§ Driving behaviour impacts the amount of fuel that
vehicles consume.
§§ Five easy-to-adopt fuel-efficient driving techniques are
accelerating gently, maintaining a steady speed,
avoiding high speeds, anticipating traffic and coasting
to decelerate.
§§ Fuel-efficient driving is safe, cost-effective and
environmentally responsible.
§§ You should think carefully about your daily driving
needs and buy the most fuel-efficient vehicle
possible.
Auto$mart Student Workbook
33
34
Auto$mart Student Workbook