Save Big Money - Preventative Maintenance Keeps Your Vehicle Operating At It's Most Efficient Level Articles | Automotive

With today’s fuel costs it is imperative that you keep your engine properly tuned to allow it to achieve it’s maximum mileage potential.

It goes without saying that repairing a car that is obviously out of tune can improve its gas mileage. Studies have shown a mileage increase that can average 4 percent is possible.

Repairing a severe maintenance problem, say a defective oxygen sensor, could improve your mileage by considerably more.

Inspect & replace dirty air filters and inspect damaged exhaust components.

Understand that just like your body, your vehicle’s engine must be able to breath air in and exhale properly to perform.

If you have an exhaust pipe, or muffler that has been severely dented, or a clogged catalectic converter, your engine can not exhale properly so performance and efficiency suffers. With gas at around $3.00 per gallon that costs you big time.

Replacing a dirty air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Remember your car's air filter catches that dirt so it doesn’t end up in your engine. So not only do you save money on gas, but you are protecting your investment.

Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated.

Maintaining proper tire pressure can boost fuel economy by as much as 6 percent. And, if you find a service facility that uses nitrogen you’ll have the added benefit of dispersing heat more quickly than ambient air. By reducing the heat in the tire and reducing rolling resistance, you get better fuel economy.

Also, with that quicker heat dispersion, you get a cooler running tire which helps extend tread life and reduce tire failure. Nitrogen also prevents oxidation which can lead to tread separation and belt failure.

Always use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil.

You can reduce your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by not using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage. Or, using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20.

In addition, changing that dirty motor oil will allow your vehicle’s engine to run cooler and probably longer, so again you’re protecting your investment. If you use oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol that means it contains friction-reducing additives and that just adds to the benefits.