In order to optimize your vehicles gas mileage there are a number of
maintenance
items you need to keep up with.
Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions
test can
improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though
results vary based on
the kind of repair and how well it is done.
Fixing a serious maintenance problem,
like a faulty oxygen sensor,
can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.
At a 4% fuel
mileage saving would be the same as $.12 per gallon of fuel.
For more
information go to www.fueleconomy.gov.
Replace Air Filters Regularly
You can improve your gas mileage by as much as 10% if you replace clogged air filters
regularly. A clean air filter will also
protect your engine from impurities that
could damage it. A 10% fuel mileage saving would be the same as up to $.29 per
gallon
of fuel. For more information go to www.fueleconomy.gov.
Change your Motor
Oil as Recommended by the Manufacturer
Most manufacturers recommend changing
your vehicles motor oil every 3000 miles. You can improve your gas mileage by
1-2%
by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. A 1-2% fuel mileage
savings would be the same as
$.03-$.06 per gallon of fuel. For more information
go to www.fueleconomy.gov.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Under inflated tires can
lower gas mileage by .4 percent for every 1 pound per square inch drop in pressure
on all four tires. A driver will burn 2% more fuel if just one tire is 10% low,
a 20% loss would burn 4% more fuel. According to Goodyear and Michelin, running
tires at 20% under inflation can reduce tire life by 50%. Properly inflated tires
are safer and last longer. You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3% by keeping
your tires inflated to the proper pressure.
On average a tire loses approximately
2 PSI per month. Compressed air contains oxygen and moisture that reacts with the
rubber compounds in tires, causing them to break down and lose their strength and
durability. This chemical reaction causes premature aging of the tire. Now we have
available nitrogen which virtually eliminates the breakdown of the tire and extends
the loss of air pressure 3 to 4 times that of compressed air. For more information
on using nitrogen in your tires go to http://www.purigen98.com/. A 3% fuel mileage
savings would be the same as $.09 per gallon of fuel. For more information go to
www.fueleconomy.gov.