Here are 14 easy car maintenance tips that will save you gas.
1. Keep your Car Well Tuned
One of the best things that you can do is to keep your vehicle as well tuned.
Studies indicate that a car with an engine that is poorly tuned will increase the amount of gas consumption from 10 to 20 percent. 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.
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.
Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.
A properly tuned engine will save you 4% on Fuel Economy on average. That breaks down to $.09 per Gallon savings!
2. Make Sure to 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. Consider using synthetic oil.
Keeping clean oil in your vehicle will save you money at the gas pump and decrease your fuel consumption.
3. Use the Recommended Grade Oil for your Vehicle
You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent.
Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.This 1-2% Benefit equals a $.02-.$05 per gallon savings!
4. Use Fuel Injector Cleaners
Adding fuel injector cleaner at every oil change will keep injector nozzles clean, and spraying properly, which will create better combustion and deliver maximum power.
5. Replace the Air Filter in your Car
Your car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve the mileage that you get with your car by up to 10 percent. That’s a saving of up to $.23 per gallon!
Ask your mechanic to replace the air filter in your car when you are getting your Oil changed or you can do it yourself as it is very simple to do.
6. 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 that your fuel filter is the more efficiently your vehicle is going to run, saving you more money in gas costs.
You can replace the fuel filter yourself or have it replaced when your car is in for a regular maintenance checkup.
7. Check the Alignment of your Car
Improper alignment will cause a certain amount of engine drag, which will increase the amount of gas that you are using.
The better maintained that car is the better all around performance that you’ll get. Talk to your mechanic about your next alignment servicing.
One of the ways that you can tell if your car is due for alignment is if there is a pulling on the steering wheel when you are driving. If you are experiencing a type of pulling action it’s important that you schedule an appointment to have an alignment done.
8. Keep a Clean Outer Car
You can reduce the amount of drag on your car when you keep the exterior clean and waxed. This will add gas savings into your pocket.
It may seem like a small thing to do, and you most likely won’t notice any difference at all in your fuel consumption, but keep in mind that every little bit helps when it comes to reducing your gas costs and saving at the gas pumps when you fill your car.
BONUS: Many times when you purchase your gas at a gas station that has a car wash you can receive discounts when you wash your car.
This is a great way to save money while keeping your car clean.
9. Rotate your Tires
When you regularly rotate your tires and check them for uneven use and wear you will find that you are saving in both tires and gas costs.
After you have an alignment done on your car most mechanics will also rotate the tires.
Check your tires regularly to see how they are doing on wear and tear.
If your tires are showing signs of balding you’ll want to replace them immediately since the better your tires are the better fuel consumption you’ll see.
10. Tire Maintenance
Inflate all tires to the manufacturer’s recommendations for the vehicle; rolling resistance created by low tire pressure can reduce mileage as much as 25%.
You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. That’s a savings up to $.07 per Gallon of Gas!
• 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 gas consumption.
• Not only will you save on gas 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.
Save even more Money on Gas! Read, "Save on Gas - 14 Driving Tips to Save You Money!"
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