|
PHONE: 714-893-2020 |
15841 Chemical Lane. Huntington Beach, CA 92649 |
|
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM Monday-Friday |
|
|
11 Car Care Tips That Save Gas
|
|
|
- Keep your engine in tune.
Fixing a car that is
out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost gas mileage
by about 4 percent. So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups.
You'll also want to watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark
plug can reduce a car's fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.
- Replace air filters.
Keep a close eye on your engine's air filter.
When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it
causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient.
Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage
by
as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents a gallon. It's a
good idea to have your engine air filter checked at each oil
change. The
Car Care Council recommends changing your car's air and oil filters
every three months or 3,000 miles or as specified in your owner's
manual.
- Use the right oil.
You can improve your car's gas mileage by 1 percent
to 2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of
motor oil. Opt for motor oil with the words "energy conserving" on
the API performance label. This oil contains friction-reducing
additives.
- Don't skimp on maintenance.
Be serious about auto care. Your car's
performance depends on it.
"
Always follow the manufacturer-recommended
maintenance,"
Moody
says. "The car's designed to run a certain way. If you neglect
it, it won't be as efficient." Obey the car-care guidelines
outlined in your owner's manual.
- Fill up with a lower-octane gasoline.
Buy the lowest grade or octane
of gasoline that is appropriate for your car. Unless your car
requires premium gasoline, filling up your car with high-octane
fuel is a
waste of money. That pricey premium fuel won't boost your car's
fuel economy or performance in the least, so skip it.
If you're
not sure what grade of fuel works best for your car, open up
your owner's manual and take a look. As long as your engine
doesn't
knock or ping when you fuel up with regular unleaded, you're
good to drive on this much cheaper gas. Passing on pricey premium
gasoline
could save you hundreds of dollars a year.
- Don't top off.
Don't bother topping off when filling your car's
gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or
seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won't
use? Stop
pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the
automatic nozzle clicks off.
- Tighten up that gas cap.
Gas will evaporate from your car's gas
tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps
cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according
to the
Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap each
time you fuel up your car.
- Go for the shade.
The hot summer sun that makes the inside of your
car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank. "If
you let your car bake in the sun there's going to be a greater amount
of evaporative emissions that take place than if you
park in the shade," says Jim Kliesch, research associate
at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and vehicle
analyst for GreenerCars.com. So park your car in the shade of
a building
or tree whenever possible. And buy a good windshield shade. A
windshield shade blocks sunlight
and helps to keep heat out of the inside of your car.
- Use your garage for your car.
Got a garage? Clear it out and make
room for your car. Parking in your garage will help your car
stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and you won't have to
depend as
much on your gas-guzzling air-conditioning or defroster when
you drive.
- Pump up your tires.
Don't get caught driving on underinflated tires.
Underinflated tires wear down more quickly and they also lower
your car's gas mileage.
"
Tires that have low pressure offer more resistance so the
engine is going to work harder to keep the car at 60," says
Brian Moody, road test editor at Edmunds.com.
Your car's gas mileage
may plummet by as much as 15 percent. Driving on underinflated
tires may also reduce the life of your tires
by 15 percent or more.
- Check your tire pressure once a month.
Buy a digital gauge and keep
it in your glove box. Compare the pressure in your tires with
the recommended pressure listed in your owner's manual and on
the placard
in your car door. Then inflate your tires as needed. Be sure
to check tire pressure when your tires are cold. A good time
is early in the
morning after your car's been idle overnight.
|
......................................................................................................................................................................... |
© 2018 Gustafson Bros Inc. |
|