Increasing Fuel Mileage
The biggest question on everyone's mind these days is “How do I increase my fuel mileage?”. There are several things you can do to your car to ensure you are getting the maximal fuel mileage.
- Tune Up – fresh plugs and wires can improve your fuel mileage, but only if it needs it. Many new cars do not require tune-ups for around 100,000 miles, so have us check it out before you invest in the work. If your car needs a tune-up, it will pay for itself in fuel savings.
- Tire Pressure – low tire pressure not only causes decreased fuel mileage, but it causes premature wear on your tires.
- Air Filter, Fuel Filter – a dirty air filter is a big fuel mileage robber. It causes the engine to “starve” for fresh air, and increases fuel consumption.
- Wheel alignment – if the wheels are not in proper alignment, of course it will cause improper tire wear. However, it also takes more power to push your car down the road when the alignment is out of specification. Increased drag causes higher fuel consumption.
- Brakes – if your car has a brake caliper or drum sticking, then it is not releasing all the way, so your engine has to work harder to push against the sticking brakes. It's like driving with your foot on the brakes!
- Oil – Making sure your car has the proper motor oil, and it's changed at proper intervals (we recommend every 4000 miles) is important for your fuel mileage.
- Extra Weight – carrying extra stuff in the trunk or back seat, if it weighs much, can decrease your mileage.
