How Auto Maintenance Is Essential To Good Gas

A properly maintained vehicle not only runs better but it also runs more efficiently. Auto maintenance, performed on a regular basis, is essential for obtaining the best gas mileage. Even if the vehicle seems to be performing well, check these tips and keep a record of service dates. Tire maintenance: Maintaining the proper tire pressure is one of the easiest ways to keep a vehicle’s gas mileage in the optimum range. When tires are under inflated, gas mileage can decrease by as much as 0.4 percent per pound of air per tire. If each tire on a vehicle is under inflated by as little as one pound, the fuel economy can drop by over 1.5 percent. Tire alignment is also a factor in gas mileage. Proper alignment requires less work for the driver and the vehicle. The less work that is required to stay on the road, the less fuel is used in the process. Oxygen sensors: Oxygen sensors work by measuring the amount of oxygen in the exhaust, which determines if the fuel to air ratio is correct. If the fuel mixture is too rich, unburned fuel is released in the exhaust as waste. To keep fuel economy at an optimal level, oxygen sensors should be tested and replaced on a regular maintenance schedule. Gas caps: Gas caps are often overlooked as a source for a loss of gas mileage. Loose, damaged or poor fitting gas caps account for a loss of up to 147 million gallons of fuel a year. The fuel vaporizes before it gets used by the automobile. Gas cap testing can be done at many auto supply stores and some areas offer routine testing free. Filters: While changing the oil and oil filter help a vehicle’s engine last longer other filters are important as well. Air filters should be inspected and changed on a regular basis. A clogged air filter will not allow the engine to receive the required amount of oxygen resulting in a less than optimal air to fuel ratio. A dirty fuel filter will reduce the amount of fuel the vehicle receives also resulting in a loss of efficiency. Lack of filter maintenance can reduce efficiency by up to 10 percent. Spark plugs and fuel line cleaning: A spark plug can fire over one million times in five hundred miles. When plugs become worn out or dirty they can misfire which results in the loss of fuel economy in addition to poor performance. The better the spark produced by the plug, the better the fuel mixture is ignited, allowing all of the fuel to be used without waste. Older autos with carburetors should have cleaning done on a regular basis. Dirty carburetors greatly reduce fuel efficiency and performance. Injector systems do not need as much cleaning but if the vehicle is operating poorly, it may need to be considered. Injector systems can be cleaned with a professional service but can also be improved with cleaning additives or a temporary change in the brand of fuel used in the auto. Tune-ups are no longer the same services as they were years ago but routine maintenance is still required. Timing and idle speed play a role in how well the automobile runs as well as the overall gas mileage. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society