We don’t have to tell you gas prices have been going up. You can see it every time you go to fill up. By implementing these helpful tips, you will be able to save at the pumps.
- Check tire pressure once a month. You may be wondering why you have to do this when your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. A TPMS warning light isn’t required to come on until a tire is 25 percent below the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. That means the light might not be on even though you are driving around on tires that are underinflated. Driving on tires that are underinflated or overinflated are safety hazards. Your tires will also wear out sooner than they should. When the tires are properly inflated, you can save up to $0.11/gallon on gasoline. All you need is a simple tire gauge and the recommended tire pressure found on a label inside the driver’s side door.
- Don’t go overboard with using a higher-octane fuel when your vehicle can use regular. Check the owner’s manual for your vehicle on the octane level you should be using for your vehicle. Unless the manual tells you to use Super or Premium, just fill it up with regular.
- Go easy on the gas pedal. By slowing down a little, avoiding fast starts and stops and minimizing idling, you will be able to increase your fuel efficiency. We know… easier said than done, right? But for every 5 miles per hour that you slow down, you reduce fuel consumption by 7%.
- Replace the air filter on a regular schedule. When was the last time you have the engine air filter changed? Clean air filters can improve gas mileage by up to 10%, yet one in four vehicles on the road are operating with dirty air filters. If you bring your vehicle to our shop in Morristown, NJ, the certified auto technician working on your vehicle will let you know when the filter should be replaced.
- Regular wheel alignments can help reduce gas consumption too. Improperly aligned wheels mean your vehicle has to work harder. When that happens, you use more gas. It also translates into tires that wear out quicker than they should. Alignments should be done at least once a year, when you buy new tires, and/or when you hit a huge pothole or curb.
- Make sure there’s less junk in the trunk. Gas mileage decreases with added weight in the vehicle. If you have items in your trunk or the back of your SUV that you don’t use on a regular basis, remove it.
- Regular maintenance and tune-ups have a tremendous impact on gas mileage. Old fluids cause the engine to work harder which affects gas mileage. Equally important are having your vehicle tuned-up on a regular basis. Dirty spark plugs, old wires and bad timing affect the ignition of the fuel/gas mixture in the engine. Read more about tune-ups here.
When it comes to auto maintenance, Shade Tree Garage gives you peace of mind about the safety and reliability of your car. If you’re noticing a decrease in gas mileage, schedule an appointment with our shop in Morristown, New Jersey.