With the current increase in gasoline prices, we at East End Auto Collision Repair in Huntington WV know that it is more important than ever to stretch our dollar at the gas pump. We have come up with a few simple ways to make your car more fuel-efficient and reduce the wear and tear of your car at the same time.
- Keep Your Tires at Optimal Tire Pressure
- Replace Air Filters Regularly
- Regular Engine Tune Ups
- Go Easy On Your Engine
- Purchase Quality Fuel
Keep Your Tires at Optimal Tire Pressure
One reason for loss of fuel efficiency is poorly inflated tires. As you already know, tires are important to cars because they hold up the car’s weight and provide a smooth drive. When tires are not properly inflated, they generate more resistance to the road and so your car has to use more energy to go forward.
Reduced tire pressure means increased contact area between the tire and the road.
As a result friction between the rubber of the tire and the road increases, resulting in higher fuel consumption. Make sure the tires are inflated at the manufacturer recommended levels listed in your owner’s manual.
Replace Air Filters Regularly
Air filters play an important role in keeping the air inside the car clean and particle free. Air is sucked in from the outside and passes through these filters. Over time, air filters get clogged and the engine has to spend more energy to suck in the same amount of air needed. The more energy required means that the engine has to burn more fuel to meet this increased demand.
On average, you should change your air filters between 15,000 and 30,000 miles and if you drive on dirt roads you should consider changing them sooner. This will keep your car running efficiently and save on gas mileage.
Regular Engine Tune Ups
Just like we need regular doctor check-ups, our engines need tune ups. Keeping your car up to date with maintenance, oil changes, and tune ups is a great way to increase fuel efficiency. The best way to do this is to take your car to a reputable Auto Collision Repair in Huntington WV regularly.
Head to an auto repair shop for service as soon as possible if the “check engine” light comes on. This light indicates a problem that can increase exhaust emissions and decrease fuel economy.
Additionaly, you can regularly track your car’s fuel economy. A sudden drop in mileage may indicate a need for car service.
Go Easy On Your Engine
Be good to your car, and your car will be good to you! There a few changes that you can make that will prolong the life of your car and increase your fuel economy.
- Park in the shade. During the summer, heat built-up from the sun will require an increased use of the air conditioning system, reducing fuel-efficiency.
- Avoid using rooftop luggage carriers. Items transported on top of the car significantly increase aerodynamic drag, which reduces fuel economy and is hard on your engine.
- Remove extra weight from your vehicle. Even just an extra 100 pounds can reduce your fuel economy up to 1%.
- Don’t operate your vehicle when the engine is cold. Allow the engine to warm up for a couple of minutes if you park outside in the winter months.
- Go easy on your car when starting and stopping. Try not to slam on your brakes, similarily, try not to accelerate too quickly.
Making these few small changes can increase your fuel economy.
Purchase Quality Fuel
Buy quality fuel! I know, I know… many of us try to penny pinch when it comes to fueling up. But this can actually cost you in the long run. Prolong the life of your engine by buying top tier, quality fuel.
This same rule applies to oil. When you are getting your oil changed at an Auto Collision Repair in Huntington WV, make sure to ask for quality fuel that is the correct type that your car needs. Read your owner’s manual to find out if your vehicle requires low-viscosity, energy-conserving, semi- or full-synthetic oils.
It is important to put quality products into your vehicle, to get quality performance out of it!
Auto Collision Repair in Huntington WV
If you’re doing all the above and still experiencing poor gas mileage, it may be a good idea to bring in your car to an Auto Collision Repair in Huntington WV. At East End Auto Body, we have state-of-the-art tools to look deeper into your car’s performance and find issues that you cannot see. Our locations are open and ready to work on your car. Give us a call today or visit us at 3117 Ferris Ct. (31st Street) Huntington, WV 25702. eastendbodyshop.com
