This week I had the pleasure of attending The Power of Choice event with Ford Canada. Ford Canada is traveling across the country to showcase the latest fuel-efficient vehicles. The attendees had an opportunity to talk to a Ford Engineer about the newest line of fuel-efficient vehicles, green driving tips and more. They now have 15 vehicles with EcoBoost engines plus five new electrified vehicles and we had the opportunity to take a few of these vehicle for a test drive. 
I’m going to admit something to you that I’ve never shared with you before. I drive a…minivan. Yes, it’s true! I always said I wouldn’t drive a minivan but shortly after my son was born I decided that I needed the extra space. Why did I need so much extra space with only one child? Well, let’s just say that I over pack. Our first road trip was when my son was just 6 months old. We were traveling to my husband’s hometown to visit family and I had a packing list a mile long. I remember his mom laughing as she watched my husband make about 5 trips from the house back to the van to unpack everything we brought along. I even packed my son’s inflatable duck tub. No, I’m not kidding. This is when I decided that we needed a larger vehicle. I really wanted to purchase a larger SUV but my husband was concerned about the price of fuel so we decided on a minivan instead. Now I’m not saying anything negative about the minivans (no offense to the minivan fans out there!), it’s just that I never thought I would own one myself.
The Power of Choice – Vehicles:
At The Power of Choice event, I had the opportunity to drive a 2013 Ford Escape with a new EcoBoost engine. The projected fuel economy is up to 6 MPG better than the outgoing model. Better fuel economy plus enough space to pack an inflatable duck tub! Did you know that although the Escape is a smaller-sized SUV, it still has 3500 lb. of towing capacity?
The Power of Choice event also included test drives with the 2013 Fusion Hybrid and the 2013 C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid. I was surprised at how spacious the inside of the Fusion was. Did you know that the Hybrid Electric Vehicles (like the 2013 Fusion Hybrid) do not need to be “plugged in”? The battery pack is automatically recharged by the gasoline engine and by the regenerative braking.
The 2013 C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid uses a larger lithium-ion battery than a traditional hybrid and a charge post to expand the vehicle’s electric capabilities. When the battery is depleted, it runs like a traditional hybrid. This vehicle is incredibly quiet. While preparing to leave for our test drive, I didn’t even realize the vehicle was running!
The Power of Choice – MyFord Mobile:
While at The Power of Choice event, we also had the opportunity to check out the MyFord Mobile app (standard on the Fusion Energi plug-In hybrid). This app is pretty amazing! Here are just a few of the things you can use this app for:
- find the closest charging stations and the most efficient route to get there
- tells you the location of your vehicle (Have you ever come back to a parking lot and forgotten where you parked? No, me neither {wink}).
- shows you the amount of money you’ve saved on gas based on your driving style
- remotely lock/unlock doors
- engage remote preconditioning (to heat or cool the vehicle interior)
- remote start
MyFord Mobile subscription is complimentary for five years from vehicle production date. Subscription fees apply after five years.
The Power of Choice – Green Driving Tips:
With the price of fuel increasing, more drivers want to know how to get the best fuel economy possible. Ford Canada had some great tips to share on this topic:
- Aim for a consistent speed. Pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine.
- Accelerate and brake smoothly. My dad needs to read this one! Accelerating smoothly from a stop and braking softly conserves fuel…and our necks (I’m looking at you Dad).
- No idling. My husband always tells me to wait a minute or so after starting up the vehicle before I drive away. I now get to tell him that he was wrong! Today’s engines don’t need a warm-up before you gently drive away. You can also save on fuel by turning off your vehicle when idling for more than 30 seconds (like waiting for a train, at the bank’s drive-thru ATM, etc.).
- Check your tires. Did you know that properly inflated tires can reduce the average amount of fuel use by 3-4 percent?
- Be kind to your vehicle. Be sure to go for regular engine tune-ups, wheel alignments and replace air filters as recommended.
- Travel light (in other words, no more inflatable duck tubs). Did you know that added frontal area (like luggage on a roof rack) reduces aerodynamics and hurts fuel economy by up to 5 percent?
- Minimize the use of climate controls. Using less A/C when temperatures are above 27°C can save 10-15 percent of fuel. Also, close windows when traveling over 80 km/h as the open windows increase aerodynamic drag on the vehicle.
- Choose the right oil. Use good quality oils with the viscosity grade recommended in the owner’s guide.
- Consolidate trips. Need to run around town for errands? Make a list and map our your route so that you aren’t backtracking or traveling on congested routes.
The Power of Choice – Sustainable Materials:
Something that I didn’t realize before this event was the effort Ford is making to used recycled or renewable material in its vehicles. Did you know that every Ford vehicle made in North America features soybean-based foam material in seat cushions, backs and head restraints? This helps to reduce the dependency on petroleum as well as negative effects on the environment. Check out these other locally-sourced, renewable resources used in Ford vehicles. 
Which of these sustainable material uses or green driving tips surprised you?
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