Fuel economy is important to most modern drivers. Whether you want to save money at the pump or you just don’t want to be responsible for adding to climate change, keeping your car’s fuel delivery system in good working order is a must. Unfortunately, repairs can be expensive, so it’s better to keep your car well-maintained. Here are a few tips.
Don’t Get Sucked in by Maintenance You Don’t Need
There are a lot of maintenance options offered by garages that don’t really do much to improve your fuel economy. For example:
Gas Savers – These additives and services rarely do anything.
Oil Additives – Motor oil already has everything it needs in
Injection Cleaning – Unless fuel injectors are clogged and affecting your ability to drive, there’s no reason to have this done (Hint: This is the kind of problem that should cause your check engine light to come on).
Change Your Air Filter Regularly
A clogged air filter can cause your gas mileage to plunge by as much as 10%. It should be changed annually or as needed if you drive more than 15,000 miles per year. A shop will charge you $20 or more to change this part out. You can get one for just a few dollars and change it yourself in a few minutes even if you’re not car savvy.
Keep Your Tires Inflated to the Right PSI
Most modern cars will alert you if tire pressure drops by even a few PSI. If not, check your tires regularly. You can lose up to 3% of your gas mileage by driving on tires that are just a few PSI low. Plus, you run the risk of damaging a tire and having a blowout.
Get Costly Fuel System Repairs Covered
If you do end up having a problem with your car’s fuel system, get ready for a big bill. That is unless you’ve got a service plan for your vehicle. At Vehicle Service Center, we offer service plan options that cover fuel delivery systems and just about everything else on your vehicle. For a free quote, call 1-800-280-6708.
