Save money on gas - car maintenance
How to face the high gas prices : tips for saving on gasoline
Car maintenance
Taking care of your car may reduce its gasoline consumption. Here are some tips to give your car a tune up.
Change the oil regularly
Regularly changing your car's engine oil and filter is one of the most important things you can do to keep your car running well. Over time your oil breaks down and your filter becomes clogged with contaminants. Depending upon your driving habits, this may take as few as 3 months or 3,000 miles or be as long as 20,000 miles or 24 months (consult your owner's manual for service intervals). It's important to use a synthetic oil instead of mineral oil. This will cause your engine to run better and give you better mileage.
Upgrade your air filter
More efficient brands of air filters cost a little more but will pay for themselves in most vehicles in fuel savings. Check it every oil change and change it regularly. Clogged air filters cause engines to work overtime which requires more fuel.
Use a fuel injector cleaner
Not only will you see a boost in gas mileage, but in your car's overall performance. Fouled injectors vaporize fuel poorly, affecting how completely the fuel is burned.
Check the air pressure in the tires every week
Inaccurate tire pressure can cause poor gas mileage, uneven tire wear, or a tire blow-out. To prevent these events from happening it is important to maintain proper tire pressure. Buy an inexpensive air pump and an accurate tire gauge. Keep all tires inflated to the pressure as recommended for your car.
