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10 Car-Care Tips That Save Fuel

Looking to squeeze a bit more distance out of each litre of fuel? At today's gas prices, you will. An improvement of just a kilometre or two per litre can really add up. These ten fuel saving tips can help you improve your car's fuel economy and take some of the sting out of the high fuel prices. Most of these tips will give you a very slight increase in mileage but use several together and the gas mileage improvements will really add up. Don't hold back on your car's maintenance. One needs to be serious about auto care as a car's performance depends on it. It is always advisable to follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance. Your car is designed to run a certain way. You neglect it and it won't be as efficient.

Get the Fuel Right

Your owner's manual may shed some light about what grade of fuel works best for your new car. As long as your engine doesn't knock or ping when you fuel up with regular unleaded, you're good to drive on that fuel. Unless your car requires premium gasoline, filling up your car with high-octane fuel can be a waste of money. Your car may be good to go even when you fill it up with a lower-octane gasoline. Buy the grade of gasoline that is apt for your car. You can save a lot by doing so. A pricey premium fuel won't boost your car's fuel economy or performance in the least, so skip it.

Don't Top Off

Additional fuel is not going to help in any way. Don't bother topping off when filling your car's fuel tank. The additional fuel is just going to slop around or seep out. Do not waste money paying for fuel your car won't use. Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks off.

Tighten up the Fuel Cap

At all times your fuel tank cap needs to be tight and free of damage. Tighten up the fuel tank cap as there is a possibility of the fuel evaporating from the tank if it has an escape. Research indicates that loose, missing and damaged fuel caps have caused around 147 million gallons of fuel to evaporate each year. So be sure to tighten up that cap each time you fuel up your car.

Sunscreen for Your Car

The hot summer sun not just makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna it also zaps fuel from your fuel tank. So, go for the shade. "If you let your car bake in the sun there's going to be a greater amount of evaporative emissions that take place than if you park in the shade," says Jim Kliesch, a vehicle analyst and research associate at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Park your car in the shade of a building or tree whenever possible. Buy a good windshield shade. A windshield shade blocks sunlight and helps to keep heat out of the inside of your car.

Park in the Shade

You can reduce dependability on your fuel-guzzling air-conditioning or defroster while driving. Wonder how? Got a garage? Clear it out and make room for your car. Parking in your garage will help your car stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and you won't have to depend as much on the fuel-eating AC when you drive.

Pump Up Your Tyres

Underinflated tyres wear away more quickly and they also lower your car's fuel mileage. Tyres that have low pressure offer more resistance resulting in the engine working harder than ever to keep the car at the required speed. When you run the car with underinflated tyres the fuel mileage may drop by as much as 15 per cent, and also, your tyre's life span gets reduced by 15 per cent or even more. So, don't get caught driving on underinflated tyres.

Tyre Pressure

Check your car's tyre pressure once a month. It is good to have a digital gauge in the glove box at all times. Check the pressure only when the tyres are cold. It could be checked early in the morning after your car has been idle overnight. Compare the pressure in your tyres with the recommended pressure listed in your owner's manual and on the placard in your car door. Then inflate your tyres as needed.

Is All Well with the Engine?

Keep your engine in tune. Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost fuel mileage by about 4 per cent. So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups. You will also want to watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car's fuel efficiency by as much as 30 per cent.

Replace Air Filters

Your car engine's air filter needs to be free of clogs; free of dirt, dust and bugs. Keep a close watch on it. On the other hand, ignoring the air filter can result in your engine working harder and your car becoming less fuel-efficient. Promptly replace the clogged air filter, and your could give you a better mileage, better by as much as 10 per cent thus saving you a significant amount of money too. It's a good idea to have your engine air filter checked at each oil change. Experts recommend changing the car's air and oil filters every three months or as specified in your owner's manual.

Engine Oil

Use the right oil. You can improve your car's fuel mileage by 1 to 2 per cent by using the manufacturer recommended grade of motor oil. Opt for energy conserving engine oil that contains friction-reducing additives.

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