• - Correction factors are applied to the results to reflect aerodynamics, weight, the rolling resistance of different vehicles (a Hummer has different aerodynamics than a RAV-4), real-world driving conditions on Canadian roads and whether the vehicle has a four-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive or two-wheel-drive system.
• - If different versions of the same model are available in Canada, other correction factors are applied to establish the average fuel consumption between all available versions.

The FTP is composed of two tests: a city test and a highway test, both conducted in a laboratory.

The city test is a 12-km circuit that lasts 23 minutes, includes 18 stops and is conducted at an average speed of 32 km/h with a top speed of 91 km/h. Four minutes are spent idling to simulate waiting time at traffic lights. The test begins with a cold engine start. A second cycle repeats the first 8 minutes of the city test to reflect a warm engine start.


The highway test is a 16-km circuit that lasts 13 minutes, doesn’t include any stops and is conducted at an average speed of 77 km/h with a top speed of 97 km/h. The speed is varied to simulate different types of roads. This test begins with a warm engine start.

Because fuel consumption is affected by a variety of factors, including driving habits and vehicle usage, real-world fuel consumption will vary from one driver to the next.

The method used by Natural Resources Canada to establish a vehicle’s fuel consumption does not reflect the use you make of your vehicle nor your driving habits, and it is highly unlikely that you will achieve the same consumption. However, the FTP has the advantage of being standardized. This allows you to precisely compare the consumption difference between vehicles or between city and highway consumption.


Photo Credit : Jupiter images