InsideToronto.com (Toronto, ON): Tired of low fuel efficiency? Get your tire pressure checked at free Canandian Tire clinics

One Change wants to save drivers money and help them reduce the harmful emissions given off by their cars.

As part of its Fuel Efficiency Campaign, the not-for-profit organization is hosting three free fuel efficiency clinics in Scarborough this weekend. People will receive a free digital tire gauge and be asked to check their tire pressure on a regular basis.

"By doing so people can cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and cut down on fuel use and cut down on accidents," said Justine Shelston, communications co-ordinator of One Change Toronto's office. "It's one simple thing that everyone can do. It's a really easy step."

Tires naturally lose air pressure over time - as much as two pounds of pressure a month - and this means drivers are using more fuel than necessary, which costs more money and means more harmful emissions are emitted. Under-inflated tires also decrease the safety of a vehicle and can lead to accidents.

"It's something not everyone thinks about," Shelston said of tire pressure.

According to One Change, Canadian drivers waste enough fuel in a year to fill 257 Olympic-sized swimming pools simply because their tires are under-inflated, and for every litre of fuel consumed by a vehicle it results in 2.3 kg of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) being released into the atmosphere.

The fuel efficiency clinics take place at the Canadian Tire locations at 111 Rylander Blvd. (Friday, Nov. 5 from 4 to 8 p.m.), 4630 Sheppard Ave. (Saturday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and 1901 Eglinton Ave. (Sunday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

There will be demonstrations on how to check and adjust tire pressure, fuel efficiency tips and Canadian Tire coupons, in addition to the tire gauges.

Other tips to increase fuel efficiency include avoiding idling, not speeding, avoiding aggressive driving as it uses more fuel, performing regular maintenance and using cruise control on long trips. Visit www.onechange.org for more information about the fuel efficiency campaign.

One Change is an organization headquartered in Ottawa started by Stuart Hickox after he read about the difference it would make if every American changed one light bulb from an incandescent to an energy efficient compact fluorescent bulb. From that one campaign, the organization now works to effect change one simple action at a time.

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• source: InsideToronto.com