Fuel Efficiency Through Good Car Maintenance

A lot of people were flabbergasted over the past year when gasoline spiked to over $4 a gallon. Even though prices have since declined, experts claim that the good times are short-lived; the price you’ll pay at the pump is going to climb again in the near future. In the spirit of keeping as many dollars in your wallet as possible, we’re going to talk about how maintaining your vehicle can boost its fuel efficiency. In this article, you’ll discover 3 easy things you can do to squeeze as many miles as possible from each gallon of gas.

Get A Tune-Up

Tune-ups involve more than tweaking a few screws and tightening a few hoses. Your mechanic will run a diagnostic test and calibrate your engine and important systems back to factory specifications (or, as close to them as possible). That’s valuable. A lot of drivers don’t realize that there’s an oxygen sensor in their vehicles’ emissions system. If it’s not set right, there will either be too much or too little oxygen present while the engine burns gas. That can slash the fuel efficiency of your engine by over 30%! Get a tune-up and have a technician calibrate it correctly.

Tire Maintenance

Your vehicle’s tires lose air over time. The problem is that if they’re sufficiently inflated, they’ll create too much resistance on the road. That means the engine will have to work a lot harder while you’re driving. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution: buy a digital air pressure gauge and use it. Each time you visit the gas station, check the pressure in your tires (your owner’s manual will describe how much pressure your tires need). The digital gauge will cost less than $20 and checking your tires only takes a couple of minutes. That’s a small investment of time and money to enjoy perpetual savings at the pump.

Change The Air Filter

Most people underestimate the importance of the air filter. They know it gets dirty. And they know it only costs a few bucks to buy a new one. But, like most car parts, they rarely think about the filter unless it causes a major problem (for example, they can’t start their car). In truth, you can increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by regularly replacing the air filter.

Here’s why: gas isn’t the only substance needed in your car’s engine. It needs air. If the filter is jammed with dirt and debris, air can’t get through it effectively. You’ll still be able to drive your car, but it will be burning gas much less efficiently. Keep the air flow clear by changing your filter every 10,000 miles.

The Little Things Add Up

Proper vehicle maintenance – getting regular tune-ups, keeping your tires inflated, and changing the air filter – can have a substantial impact on your car’s fuel efficiency. It adds up. Over time, you’ll find that you’re paying less money at the pump because your car can use gas more effectively. As the price per gallon of fuel rises, that extra money stays in your pocket.