How To Lower Your Fuel Expenses By Keeping Your Vehicle In Good Condition
In Chapter Three, you discovered 31 tips for saving gas by planning properly. In this chapter, I'll share with you additional ways to increase your vehicle's mileage.
To perform at their peak, world-class athletes keep their bodies and minds in excellent shape. Similarly, if you want your vehicle to achieve the highest gas mileage possible, you need to keep the engine and all of its parts in great condition.
Here Are 13 Maintenance Tips To Help
Your Vehicle Perform At Its Optimal Level:
Tip #1:
Maintain Your Tires At The Proper Pressure
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 30% of all vehicles had at least one tire that was eight PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) or more under-inflated (which means it’s below the manufacturer’s recommended level). Approximately 5% had all four tires severely under-inflated. Only 4% of the people surveyed said they checked tire pressure as a part of their routine maintenance. This means the other 96% did not.
What about you? When was the last time you inspected your vehicle's tire pressure?
Before I started researching for this book (before May 2004), I didn't realize over or under-inflated tires could affect gas mileage so drastically. After I found out, I immediately checked my tire pressure and was surprised to discover all four of them were under-inflated by three psi.
After driving my car with the tires inflated at the recommended pressure for two weeks, I noticed my gas mileage had increased by 6.1%.
Though this may seem like a small amount, with record gas prices, any mileage improvement will help keep more money in our pockets.
Experts say under-inflated tires can reduce gas mileage by as much as 2% per pound of pressure below the recommended level. In addition, under-inflation causes tires to wear out faster and makes your vehicle less safe to drive. While over-inflated tires (which means it’s above the manufacturer’s recommended level) usually don’t affect gas mileage as much as under-inflated tires do, the former can lead to handling problems and uneven wear.
If you haven't checked your tire pressure in the last 30 days, I suggest you do it right after reading this chapter. Properly inflating your tires not only increases your fuel economy and makes
your tires last longer, but it also can save your life. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers in the United States, low-tire pressure is the cause of about 260,000 accidents annually.
Why Do Tires Leak Air?
Tires usually lose some air in day-to-day use. This is normal wear for the tires and isn't a problem (unless they lose 3 or more psi in a day), so you may need to add a few pounds of air periodically.
To find out what the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle is, check your owner's manual or the label located on the edge of the driver's door or door jam, the glove compartment, or the trunk. The capacity should also be embossed on the side-wall of the tire. If you can't find it in any of these places, contact the manufacturer (or the service department of the dealership where you bought your vehicle).
If your owner's manual or the label lists a psi range, use the higher number to maximize your fuel efficiency.
How To Check Your Tire Pressure
Many people check tire pressure when they're at a gas station. While this may be convenient, it doesn't give them the most accurate reading.
According to Toyo Tires, "Tires must be checked when they are cold, before they have run a mile. If you must drive over a mile for air, measure and record the under-inflation amount of each tire before you drive. Upon arriving at the service station, measure each tire's inflation again, and if the pressure has increased, adjust the amount of additional air pressure needed. For example, if cold pressure should be 35 psi, cold pressure was 28 psi, and current pressure is 33 psi, you should inflate the warm tires to 40 psi and recheck them again when cold."
To inspect your tires at a gas station, follow these simple steps:
1. Find out what the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle is. See the previous page.
2. Use a good-quality dial-type tire gauge, which you can buy at automotive stores. Most gas stations don't have tire pressure gauges, and at the ones that do, they aren't always accurate.
3. Remove the screw-off cap from the valve stem that is located on the rim of the tire.
4. Place the tire gauge so that the pin in the gauge lines up with the pin in the center of the valve, and press the gauge firmly against the valve stem.
5. Read the gauge. If your tire is over-inflated (high pressure), use the open end of the pressure gauge to release as much air as needed. Conversely, if the tire is under-inflated (low pressure), add air till the pressure reaches the recommended level.
If you need to put in more air, push the air hose down until it fits firmly over the valve. When done correctly, the air going into the tire should sound like a balloon being blown up. If air is escaping from the tire, you'll hear a hissing noise.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 until you get the correct air pressure for all four tires and your spare.
Even if your vehicle has a low-tire-pressure warning light built into the dashboard, some mechanics suggest you check your tires manually anyway.
How Often Should You Check Your Tire Pressure?
According to Goodyear, you should do it: (a) monthly, (b) before a long trip, or (c) when the outside air temperature changes significantly.
When you go on a long road trip, camping, or skiing, you'll be carrying more weight in your vehicle than normal, so follow the advice of Bill Egan, the chief engineer for Goodyear's advanced product design:
"If the car is carrying extra weight, such as luggage on a vacation, additional air should be added to the tires, preferably 4 psi over the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold tire pressure. Just don't exceed the maximum pressure listed on the tire's sidewall."
Tip #2:
Get Your Wheels Aligned
Uneven wear on your tires will decrease your vehicle's gas mileage. A wheel alignment will save you fuel and extend the life of your tires.
Badly worn tires may need to be replaced. Your mechanic can tell whether you need new tires or just a wheel alignment.
Speaking of mechanics, did you know most people are overpaying for their auto repairs? To discover how you can avoid doing the same thing, click here.
Here's another way to find out whether your vehicle requires a wheel alignment: On a 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 pulls to one side, then your wheels may be misaligned. Have them inspected by a mechanic.
Tip #3:
Use The Right Tires
Remove snow tires during good-weather seasons. Driving on tires with deep tread makes your vehicle work harder and eat more gas. Also, when driving during the winter, avoid putting chains on your tires unless it's absolutely necessary.
Using radial tires will save gas because there’s less friction between the tire and the road. If your vehicle isn’t equipped with them, consider getting radial tires when your old ones need to be replaced.
Tip #4:
Replace The Air Filter
Your vehicle's air filter prevents impurities in the air from harming the internal parts of your engine. Since a dirty filter diminishes air flow, it increases gas wastage.
It’s very easy to inspect an air filter. Simply hold it up to the light. If you can see through it, it’s clean. If you can’t, it’s dirty. So replace it.
Tip #5:
Change The Oil
Clean oil reduces the wear and tear caused by friction between moving parts and also gets rid of harmful dirt and grit from your engine. Changing your oil (as recommended by the manufacturer) can increase your gas mileage by one to two kilometres per litre. Read your owner’s manual and follow the recommended oil-change schedule.
Read your owner's manual and follow the recommended oil-change schedule.
Some experts claim a synthetic oil with a friction-reducing formula can improve fuel economy by up to 12%. Check with your mechanic.
If you're going to change the oil yourself, make sure to use the right grade of motor oil. Again, read your owner's manual to find out the recommended type for your vehicle. Please be sure to take the old oil to a Used Oil Collection Site (UOCS), which could be a local service center that sells motor oil. Never dispose motor oil by pouring it into a storm or sewer drain, dumping it onto the ground, or putting it in your household garbage.
If the oil filter is dirty, replace it as well.
Tip #6:
Tune Up Your Engine
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA’s) website, fueleconomy.gov, a tune-up can increase your vehicle's gas mileage by an average of 4.1%. Read your owner’s manual and follow the recommended oil-change schedule.
Whenever you see a malfunction indicator light (MIL) or a "check engine" light illuminate on your dashboard, have your vehicle inspected immediately.
Here's an interesting fact about engine tune-ups: Mechanics say there's no such thing as a "tune-up" anymore. It's actually preventive maintenance that involves changing the spark plugs, air and fuel filters, PCV valve (which re-circulates partially burned gases from the engine's crankcase to the combustion chamber), and checking engine performance. Tune-ups are for older vehicles that use carburetors instead of fuel injection systems.
Because modern vehicles have computers to control everything from idle speed to ignition timing, there's nothing left to "tune" in the traditional sense, only basic engine maintenance is required. But since the public still associates the word "tune-up" with engine maintenance, most mechanics and service facilities continue to use it in advertising and promotions.
Tip #7:
Check And Service Your Brakes
Most brakes drag. But if you feel yours do so more than usual, have them checked out by a mechanic. Many brake and tire shops inspect brakes for free. Driving with dragging brakes will increase resistance, causing your vehicle to use more gas.
Two of the most typical brake problems are: (1) calipers that are not fully retracting because they need to be replaced or rebuilt, and (2) drum brakes that are incorrectly adjusted.
Not only will having good brakes save you money on gas, they can also save your life.
To find out whether one brake lining may be more worn than the other, 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 your brakes gradually. If your vehicle swerves to one side, then your brakes may need to be adjusted.
Tip #8:
Service Your Transmission
If your vehicle's transmission is not working properly, such as not shifting into high gears, you'll lose gas mileage. Have it inspected by a mechanic immediately.
Tip #9:
Check The Oxygen Sensor
If your vehicle is getting a much lower gas mileage than normal, it may have a faulty or failed oxygen sensor. Get a mechanic to inspect it. Replacing a faulty or failed sensor can increase your fuel economy by up to 40%. When an automotive technician tunes up your vehicle,
he or she should also examine your oxygen sensor. (Again, to learn how you can save hundreds of dollars on auto repairs, click here.)
Tip #10:
Inspect Your Exhaust System
Check your exhaust system regularly, according to the instructions in your owner's manual. A partially plugged exhaust or catalytic converter can cause your vehicle to eat more gas. Leaks, in addition to being noisy and fuel inefficient, will also release more harmful emissions into the atmosphere than a properly working exhaust system.
Tip #11:
Check Fluid Levels
Check these fluid levels: oil, coolant, power steering, brake, and transmission. If you don't know how, refer to the instructions in your owner's manual or ask your mechanic (or a friend who knows how to do it.)
Tip #12:
Wax Your Vehicle
Airlines spend a lot of money waxing and polishing their big airplanes to reduce drag and increase gas mileage. If you wax and polish your vehicle regularly, you'll also decrease air resistance and save gas.
To discover how you can get an incredible shine that never needs waxing, go here.
Tip #13:
Repair Body Damage
If your vehicle has a crunched front fender, fix it right away, otherwise it will increase air resistance, causing your car to consume more fuel.
By keeping your vehicle in good shape, in addition to conserving gas and making it safer to drive, you're likely to get more money for it should you decide to sell it.
In this chapter, I've referred to your owner's manual many times. I suggest you read it carefully and become familiar with your vehicle's maintenance schedule and requirements. If you feel you can perform some of the maintenance services yourself, go ahead. Otherwise, get a trained automotive professional to do them.
Please remember, although saving money on major automotive repairs and fuel are important...
The Number One Reason For Keeping Your Vehicle In
Good Condition Is The Safety Of You And Your Passengers!
If you enjoy reading my book and feel your friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, teammates, and other folks you know, would be able to benefit from it as well,
please inform them. You can do so by scrolling to the top of this page and clicking on the "Tell A Friend" button located at the right side.
By doing so, you will help:
Your friends save money.
Reduce air pollution, making our planet a more pleasant place for all of us to live.
As I’ve shared with you, driving less and improving the gas mileage of our vehicles will decrease the amount of harmful emissions that our automobiles put into the atmosphere.
To learn in detail why fuel economy is important for all of us, visit the U.S. EPA’s website.
You can help more people find out about my book by telling your local newspapers, magazines, and TV stations about it. And, if you have customers, clients, members, patients, subscribers, readers, or viewers, let them know about it as well. They will appreciate you.
Do You Want To Read The Book In PDF Or To Listen To It On Your iPod Or MP3 Player?
This is the Canadian Version of How To Save Big Bucks On Your Gasoline And Other Auto Expenses. If you live in the United States, see the U.S. version.
