to perform at their peak, world-class athletes to keep your body and mind are in excellent condition. Also, if you want your vehicle to achieve the highest gas mileage possible, you should keep the engine and all parts in great condition.
Here are 13 tips that will help maintain
Your vehicle perform at optimum levels:
Tip # 1: Maintain your tires at proper pressure
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 30% of all vehicles have at least one tire that was 8 psi (pounds per square inch) or more under-inflated (below the manufacturer's recommended level). About 5% had all four tires under-inflated hard. Only 4% of respondents said that checking tire pressure as part of their regular maintenance. This means that the remaining 96% is not.
What about you? When was the last time to review your vehicle's tire pressure?
before I started researching for this book, I realized over or under-inflated tires can affect gas mileage so dramatically. After I found out, I immediately checked my tire pressure and was surprised to find all four of them were under-inflated by about 3 psi.
After driving his car with tires inflated to recommended pressure for two weeks, I noticed my gas mileage has increased by 6.1%, saving me seven cents per gallon.
Although this May seem like a small amount, with the average national price for a gallon of regular gas near the $ 3 mark, any mileage improvement helps more money in our pockets.
Experts say that under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by as much as 2% per pound of pressure below recommended levels. In addition, under-inflation causes the tires wear out faster and makes your car less safe to drive. While the over-inflated tires usually do not affect the gas mileage as much under-inflated tires do, the former can lead to handling problems and uneven wear.
If you check the tire pressure in the last 30 days, I suggest you do so immediately after reading this chapter. Properly inflating your tires not only increases fuel consumption and makes your tires last longer, but can also save your life. According to the Society Automotive Engineers, low tire pressure causes about 260,000 accidents a year.
Why do my tires air leaks?
tires typically lose some air in day-to-day use. It is normal for tire wear and not a problem (unless they lose three or more dogs in a day), so May need to add a few pounds of air periodically.
To find out what the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle is, check the owner's manual or the label located on the edge of the driver's door or door jam, glove compartment or trunk. Capacity should also be embossed on the side wall of tires. If you can not find it in any of these places, please contact the manufacturer (or service department store from which you purchased your vehicle ).
Tip # 2: Get Your Wheels comply
Uneven wear on your tires will reduce your vehicle's gas mileage. wheel alignment will save fuel and extend the life of your tires.
badly worn tires may need to be replaced. Your mechanic can tell you whether you need new tires or just the wheel alignment.
Here's another way to find out whether your vehicle requires a wheel alignment: On the flat, straight, and traffic-free stretch of road, place your hands lightly on the steering wheel and drive at a steady speed. If your vehicle is pulling to one side, then your wheels may be wrong. Mechanic check them out.
Tip # 3: Use the right tires
Remove snow tires in good weather periods. Driving on tires with deep tread makes your vehicle work and eat more gas. Also, when driving in winter, avoid putting the chains on the tires, unless absolutely necessary.
The use of radial tires will save gas because there is less friction between tire and road. If your vehicle is equipped with radial tires, consider getting them if your old tires should be replaced.
Tip # 4: Replace the air filter
of your vehicle's air filter prevents impurities in the air from harming the internal parts of your engine. Since the dirty filter reduces air flow increases gas waste.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's website, fueleconomy.gov, replacing a clogged air filter can improve your gas mileage by as much as 10%, which is about 15 cents a gallon gas savings, depending on current gas prices .
for inspection of air filter, hold it to light. If you can see through it, it's clean. If you can not, it's dirty, and replace it.
Tip # 5: Changing Oil
clean oil reduces wear and tear caused by friction between moving parts and also gets rid of the harmful dirt and grit out of your engine. Change the oil (as recommended by the manufacturer) can increase gas mileage by 1 or 2 mpg.
read your owner's manual and follow the recommended oil change schedule.
Tip # 6: Tune Up Your Engine
According to fueleconomy.gov, tune-ups can increase your vehicle's gas mileage by an average of 4.1%. Check your manual for the recommended tune-up schedule for your vehicle.
When you see a malfunction indicator light (MIL) or "check engine" light illuminates on your dashboard, have your vehicle immediately reviewed.
Here's an interesting fact about the engine tune-up: The mechanics say there is no such thing as a "tune-up" more. This is really preventative maintenance which includes changing spark plugs, air filter and fuel, PCV valve (which re-circulates partially burned gases from the engine crankcase into the combustion chamber), and checks the engine. Tune-ups for older vehicles that use carburetors instead of fuel injection systems.
Since that modern cars are computer controlled everything from idle to ignition timing, there is nothing left to "tune" in the traditional sense, just a basic engine maintenance is required. However, because the public still associates the word "tune-up" with engine maintenance, most of the mechanics and service facilities continue to use it in advertising and promotions.
Tip # 7: Check Brake & Service
Most brakes drag, but if you feel yours to do more than usual, have them checked by a mechanic. Many brake and tire shop inspect the brakes for free. Driving with the brakes drag will increase resistance, causing your vehicle to use more gas.
Two of the most typical brake problems are: (1) jaws that are not fully retract, because they need to be replaced or renewed, and (2) drum brakes that are incorrectly adjusted
.Not only will it have good brakes to save money on gas, they can also save your life.
To find out if someone can brake lining wear more than others, do this: On a flat, straight, and traffic-free stretch of road, place your hands lightly on the steering wheel and drive at a steady speed. After about 10 seconds, apply the brakes gradually. If your vehicle swerves to one side, then your brakes may need to be adjusted.
Tip # 8: its transmission services
If your vehicle's transmission is not working properly, like not shifting into high gears, you will lose gas mileage. Are you a mechanic check it out immediately.
Tip # 9: Check the oxygen sensor
If your vehicle is getting much lower gas mileage than normal, may have a faulty oxygen sensor or not. Get a mechanic to inspect it. Replacing faulty or not the sensor can increase fuel consumption up to 40%. When auto technician tunes to your vehicle, he or she should also examine your oxygen sensor.
Tip # 10: Make sure your exhaust system
Inspect your exhaust system regularly, in accordance with the instructions in your owner's manual. partially plugged exhaust or catalytic converter can cause your vehicle to eat more gas. Leakage, in addition to being noisy and inefficient fuel, will also release more harmful emissions into the atmosphere than the exhaust system is working correctly.
Tip # 11: Check the fluid level
Check the fluid levels: oil, coolant, power steering, brakes and transmission. If you do not know how, see the instructions in the owner's manual or ask your mechanic (or a friend who knows how to do .)
Tip # 12: Wax your vehicle
Airlines spend a lot of money, waxing and polishing their big planes to reduce drag and increase gas mileage. If you wax and polish your car regularly, you will also reduce drag and save gas.
Tip # 13: Repair body damage
If your vehicle has crunched the front bumper, fix it immediately, otherwise it will increase the resistance of air, causing your car to consume more fuel.
to maintain your vehicle in good condition, with preservation of gas and making it safer to drive, you're likely to get more money for it should you decide to sell it.
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