HOW TO SAVE ON GAS BY MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

1. Keep Your Car Well Tuned

One of the best things that you can do to save on gas prices is to keep your vehicle as well tuned as you possibly can. This means taking note of those regularly scheduled maintenance checkups that you so often ignore.

A poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by up to 50 percent or more. Information found at www.fueleconomy.gov shows that when you tune up a car that is due for a checkup or one that has emissions problems, you can increase the gas mileage by up to 4.1 percent.

2. Change The Oil in Your Car

Change the oil in your car on a regular basis. When you keep the oil in your car clean you reduce the wear that is caused by friction in the moving parts of your car’s engine. Keeping track of your last oil change will save you money at the gas pump and increase your fuel consumption. If you are reluctant or unable to change the oil in your car on your own make sure that you fuel up at a gas station that offers you full service. This way you can ask the gas attendant to help you fill your car with gas as well as take a look under the hood of your car to change the oil.

3. Use The Right Grade Of Oil

Make sure that you are using the right grade of oil that is required by your car or truck. Oil grades are measured in viscosity, which determines how much the oil can resist flow. Grades of oil include:

  0W (this is the thinnest) (“W” stands for winter)

  5W to 25W

  20 to 60 (60 is the thickest)

Check with the owner’s manual that comes with your car for more information about the grade of oil that is required by your car. Making sure that that you use the right grade of oil will ensure that your car runs as smoothly as it should in all types of weather.

4. Replace The Air Filter In Your Car

Studies at FuelEconomy.com suggest replacing the air filter in your car on a regular basis. According to the Department of Energy, replacing a clogged air filter can improve the mileage that you get with your car by up to 10 percent.

5. Replace The Fuel Filter In Your Car

Studies show that not only should you be replacing the air filter in your car on a regular basis, you should also be maintaining and regularly replacing the fuel filter. The cleaner your fuel filter is the more efficiently your vehicle is going to run, saving you more money on gas prices.

6. Check The Alignment Of Your Car

You should be paying attention to the alignment in your car. Improper alignment will cause a certain amount of engine drag, which will increase the amount of gas that you are using.

7. Tire Maintenance

Not only should you be maintaining the engine of your car, you should also be paying attention to the tires that you are driving on.

Purchase a tire gauge and check your car’s tire pressure every month. When you are driving around on tires that are under-inflated you can reduce the fuel efficiency of your car by up to 2 percent for each pound that the tires are under-inflated.

Under-inflated tires wear out faster, which again contributes to higher fuel consumption.

Not only will you save on fuel consumption when you maintain your tires, studies show that you will also save money on the maintenance of your vehicle by up to $250 each year.

The best time to check your tire pressure is when it’s cool outside or in the morning after your car has been sitting for several hours without driving.

Use appropriate tires for each season. When you put away your winter tires in the warm weather you’ll be able to use them for at least two years.

8. Keep Your Car Clean

You can reduce the amount of drag on your car when you keep the exterior clean and waxed. This will add some gas savings into your pocket.