- Keep your tires inflated properly. Under-inflated tires cost the US more than $3.5 million gallons of gasoline a DAY! Check your inflation regularly and/or maintain your TPMS.
- Change oil regularly and base the interval on not only what the manufacture recommends, but on your driving habits and driving conditions. (usually every 3,000 – 5,000 miles)
- Use top grade ester-based oils like Motul. These oils are biodegradable, use renewable sources, and enhance engine performance.
- Replace air filters every other oil change. Make sure they are thoroughly inspected with each change.
- Religiously do an Air Fuel Induction service (every 30K miles). This service cleans the intake manifold and the combustion chamber that can accumulate deposits from fuel over time. This build- up of carbon and varnish can cause the “check engine light” to illuminate. Keeping these areas clean can increase fuel mileage, allow your car to run smoother and can increase overall motor performance.
- Adhere to the Department of Environmental Quality and State Emission requirements. An illuminated “check engine light” can be an indication that your emissions are at an unacceptable level and should be checked.
- Don’t lose your valve stem caps. Most new cars have Tire Pressure Monitoring systems (TPMS) that can malfunction if the caps become loose or fall off.
- Make sure your gas cap is tightly secured. If you can believe it, about 17% of the vehicles on the road have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing. Approximately 147 million gallons of gas are vaporized every year! A loose or missing gas cap can also cause your “check engine light” to illuminate!
- Lighten your load and be aerodynamic (don’t keep heavy loads in your car and remove bike or ski racks when not in use). Every 100 pounds can reduce your fuel economy by 2%.
- Don’t idle your car. Turn it off. Idling can burn up to 22 gallons a year. It takes less gas to turn your engine off and restart it. Also, to warm your car up (just the interior), one or two minutes is sufficient. With modern, fuel-injected cars, the engine is ready to go once it’s started!
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