4 Smart Tips For Increasing Your Vehicle’s Fuel Efficiency | By Lawrence Reaves
One of the most compelling reasons to keep your car longer – rather than buying a new model – is that doing so is less expensive. An older vehicle may need occasional repairs, but that’s far less costly than the loss in value a new model suffers due to depreciation. And given the economy, it’s more important than ever to save money.
With gas prices expected to rise dramatically over the next few years, it’s worth exploring ways to improve your older car’s fuel efficiency. Here are four smart tips that you can put into action immediately:
#1 – Use The Proper Oil
Your engine plays a key role in the amount of gas your car consumes. In order to perform efficiently, its moving parts must be properly lubricated with the right oil viscosity. Thinner viscosities may be more appropriate given the weather in which you’re driving or the age of your vehicle. Some oils are specifically formulated to deliver better fuel efficiency.
#2 – Check Your Tire Pressure
When your tires are underinflated, they produce more resistance from the road. This increased level of resistance translates into more work for your engine as it toils harder to move your car. It consumes more gasoline in order to do so. Get into the habit of checking your tire pressure with a digital pressure gauge every two or three weeks. If they’re low, fill them. You can find the recommended psi on the tire, in the door jamb, or in your owner’s manual.
#3 – Avoid Warming Your Engine
Many years ago, it was a good idea to allow your engine to idle for several minutes before driving your car. This was especially true in cold weather because the oil needed time to circulate properly throughout the system. Today, engines are designed much better. There’s no need to let it idle for more than twenty or thirty seconds, even in freezing temperatures. Doing so not only wastes gas, but also prevents your engine from reaching its ideal operating temperature.
#4 – Provide Online Maintenance
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Your vehicle’s fuel efficiency can decline slowly as the aggregate result of several factors. For example, an air filter that has become clogged will prevent airflow to your engine. That lowers its performance and operating efficiency. Spark plugs can foul and cause misfires. Your front-end may become misaligned causing unnecessary pulling or drifting. Each of these factors can contribute to lower fuel economy. Replace your air filter and spark plugs according to the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. If you suspect an alignment problem, have a mechanic resolve it.
As your car grows older, its fuel economy will suffer. You might not notice the effect immediately, but over time, less efficiency translates into higher costs. Implement the tips above to improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and save money at the gas pump.
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