Car Care Tips
How Do You Save Money on Gas?
Regular gasoline should be used: Filling your vehicle with high-octane petrol is a waste of money unless your vehicle demands premium gasoline. The premium gas does not affect your gas mileage or performance. If you’re unsure which grade is ideal for your car, see the owner’s manual. You can also inquire with your mechanic about which grade to use.
Don’t top off: When filling your vehicle’s gas tank, don’t top it off. Any excess gas will slop around or leak out. Stop pumping when the automatic nozzle clicks off, indicating that your tank is full.
Tighten your gas cap: If your gas tank has an exit, gas will evaporate. According to the Car Care Council, loose, missing, or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate yearly.
Park in the shade: The scorching summer sun zaps fuel from your gas tank and makes your vehicle inside feel like a sauna.
Fill your tires: Don’t be caught driving with underinflated tires. Underinflated tires wear out faster and reduce your vehicle’s gas mileage. The gas mileage of your car could drop by up to 15%. Check your tire pressure monthly, and keep a digital gauge in your glove box.
Maintaining your engine: Repairing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test will increase gas mileage by roughly 4%. It would help if you also kept an eye out for worn spark plugs. A faulty spark plug can impair a vehicle’s fuel efficiency by up to 30%.
Replace air filters: When the engine air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust, and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder, reducing fuel efficiency. Replacing a clogged air filter can increase your gas mileage by up to 10% and save you up to 15 cents per gallon. The Car Care Council suggests replacing your vehicle’s air and oil filters every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first, or as recommended in your owner’s handbook.
Use the proper oil: Using the manufacturer’s suggested grade of motor oil can increase your vehicle’s gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent. Use motor oil with the API (American Petroleum Institute) designation “energy conservation.”
Do I Have To Go to the Dealership for Repairs or Scheduled Maintenance?
No. Some laws require the factory to honor your warranty as long as you have proper documentation of the appropriate maintenance. Have any legitimate mechanic perform it, and keep all paperwork and receipts. Have the mechanic sign the maintenance schedule book if you have one.
How Often Should I Change My Oil Filter?
Many vehicle manufacturers claim that the oil filter only has to be replaced every other oil change to lower the expense of vehicle ownership and maintenance. Most engines now feature downsized oil filters to save weight, money, and space. The “normal” quart-sized filter originally found on most engines has been replaced by a pint-sized (or smaller) filter. Even so, the little filters should be sufficient for 3,000-mile oil changes, but they may run out of capacity before a second oil change at 6,000 or 15,000 miles. As a result, replacing the oil filter every time the oil is changed is highly suggested.
Winter Weather Automotive Tips
Summer can be tough on vehicles, especially during high temperatures when heat can destroy batteries and stress the cooling system and tires. According to the Car Care Council, these vehicle components should be checked periodically during summer to help avoid breakdowns and vehicle problems.
Life Of Your Battery
Excessive heat and overcharging reduce battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, causing internal structural damage to the battery. A faulty component in the charging system, typically the voltage regulator, allows for a fast charging rate, eventually killing the battery, forcing battery replacement. The council recommends monitoring the electrical system to verify it is charged at the optimum speed to get the most life out of a battery. If your vehicle’s battery needs to be topped off, check it frequently, especially in hot weather, and add distilled water as needed. Keep the battery’s top clean. Dirt can act as a conductor, using battery power. When corrosion builds up on battery terminals, it acts as an insulator, preventing current flow.
The Cooling System
The cooling system works harder during hot weather to keep the engine from overheating. To maintain an effective cooling system, the coolant and distilled water mixture for a vehicle’s radiator should be 50:50. When monitoring the coolant level in the reservoir, never open a hot radiator cap. As a rule of thumb, most automobiles’ coolant should be changed once a year. This keeps the cooling system inside fresh and clean, preventing corrosion and ensuring that the coolant has the right boiling point and protection.
An annual pressure test, thermostat test, cooling fan test, and visual examination for leaks and corrosion are also recommended. Cracks, bulges, and frayed edges on hoses and drive belts should be looked for. The radiator should be kept clean by carefully removing bugs, dirt, and debris using a garden hose and a soft brush.
Tire Care
Tires require extra attention in hot weather because they are strained. Check the tire condition and inflation pressure weekly to enhance tire life and safety, and have the tires rotated every 6,000 miles. Tire pressure will rise in the summer heat, so check the pressure when the weather is cooler. The owner’s manual includes the recommended air pressure for your vehicle’s tires.
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