With the high cost of fuel, we will see many devices advertised that would greatly boost your mpg. Many offer outrageous claims to double or triple how far you can go on a gallon of fuel. While there are many things you can do to increase your fuel economy and engine performance, most of these gimmicks are too good to be true. Due to the computer controls on most vehicles, these devices can actually cause severe engine damage. If your car is under a warranty of any type, they can also void that warranty. Thoroughly investigate any device before installing it on your car. So what can be done to help keep costs down?
The idea is to have your car perform as efficiently as possible. This translates into addressing all areas of a car: tires, alignment, transmission, fluids in driveline components, fuel system, air intake, and engine performance. Within these areas are items to service as part of regular maintenance. Let’s look at each area and begin with simple things that can be done.
First, make sure your car’s tire pressure is where it should be. This is typically a bit higher than the car maker recommends and can vary with tire type. Low pressure causes the tire to flex more on take off, affects handling of the car, and premature tire wear. Higher pressure can cause poor handling and excessive wear also. Check tire pressures at least once a month. This gives you the chance to inspect tire wear and catch problems before they get too severe. The car’s alignment goes hand-in-hand with tire pressure and wear. The idea is to have the car move forward as easily as possible. If something is misaligned, the car has to push harder, therefore using more fuel and causing expensive tires to wear out. Have the alignment checked and adjusted as needed every six months. This is especially important in this pothole infested area in which we drive.
The fluids in your car’s transmission, differentials, and transfer case need to be serviced to allow the car to move easily. All of these fluids can thicken; causing friction, drag, and wear on these components. The service intervals vary from car to car and by how the vehicle is used. These should be checked at each oil change and flushed or exchanged as needed.
The heart of the engine’s performance is the ignition and fuel system. Regular tune-ups are a must. Use of the right parts is more critical than ever. We have seen certain types of spark plugs installed and then arrive at our shop not running properly. Changing air and fuel filters is critical also. Cleaning of the intake and fuel injectors can provide dramatic increase in mpg and power. As we drive our cars, they tend to fade very gradually. We do not notice a loss of one or two tenths change in mpg or that we have to accelerate just a bit more to maintain highway speed. By cleaning the intake and fuel injectors, the car’s performance can be improved noticeably. Additionally, use the proper grade fuel recommended for your car. Lower grade fuel can cause the computer to compensate and burn more fuel and can cause engine damage.
All these items work together in order for your car to run efficiently. To address one area and ignore the rest will not accomplish the goal. Many are part of regular maintenance and not very expensive. Some are a little more costly, but can save money and extend the life of your car. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.