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What can I do to improve my car’s gas mileage?
Secrets for Saving Gas!:
• Pump up your tires and check your tire pressure at least once a month. Don’t get caught driving underinflated tires. Driving on underinflated tires may reduce your tires’ life by 15 percent or more and lower your car’s gas mileage. Buy a digital gauge and keep it in your glove box. Compare the pressure in your tires with the recommended pressure listed in your owner’s manual and on the placard in your car door. Inflate your tires as needed.
• Replace air filters. Keep a close eye on your engine’s air filter. When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient. Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents a gallon. It’s a good idea to have your engine air filter checked at each oil change. The Car Care Council recommends checking your car’s air and oil filters every three months or 3,000 miles or as specified in your owner’s manual.
• Use the right oil. You can improve your car’s gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent by using the recommended grade of motor oil. Opt for motor oil with the words “energy conserving” on the API performance label. This oil contains friction-reducing additives. Synthetic oil can increase your fuel mileage even more.
• Don’t skimp on maintenance. Be serious about auto care. Your car’s performance depends on it. “Always follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance. The car’s designed to run a certain way. If you neglect it, it won’t be as efficient.” Obey the car-care guidelines outlined in your owner’s manual.
• Check engine light and engine tune up. Signs to look for when your engine needs a tune up:
a. Check engine light on
b. Failed emissions test
c. Misfiring
d. Worn ignition components
Regular engine tune ups can increase a car’s fuel efficiency over a malfunctioning engine by as much as 30 percent.
Is it safe to drive with my "CHECK ENGINE" light on?
It really depends on what code(s) are stored and what triggered the light.
The light comes on if the engine sensors detect something outside of parameters. There can be dozens of possible codes.
If the light is flashing it means the engine is misfiring, so continuing to drive can cause severe damage.
It is best to have a professional determine the codes, cause and recommended course of action. Sometimes it is a very minor problem that can be dealt with later, but it could be serious and need to be handled immediately. Note: Just knowing the "code(s)" will only give you part of what you need to know. We would not recommend installing parts based solely upon a non-technician just reading the codes, as many times it is not just a component failure. As an analogy, consider if a person has a machine to test their blood pressure, and it is abnormal. You would need a medical professional to interpret and diagnose the causes and determine how to proceed, as they would consider all the other factors.
The "CHECK ENGINE" light is there to help monitor the engine performance which affects your vehicle's fuel economy, power, reliability, durability, and emissions.
How do I ensure that my car will have a long life?
Auto experts agree that the best way to ensure the well-being of your vehicle is to follow the maintenance schedule outlined in the owner’s manual and repair your vehicle as needed. Car owners who believe they can save money by skipping regular maintenance services are likely to lose out in the long run owing to premature engine wear and the like. Money spent on fluid changes helps ensure the health of the vehicle’s various systems and components.
Regular maintenance is health insurance for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs maintenance to retain its safety, dependability, performance, fuel economy, and emission-control capabilities.
Here is the regular maintenance check list to ensure your car’s long life:
- Change regular oil every 3,000 miles
- Change synthetic oil every 5,000 miles
- Change your antifreeze every 2 years
- Change your brake fluid every 2 years
- Change your transmission fluid every 50,000 miles
- Do scheduled 15, 30, 60 and 90,000 mile maintenance
- Check for potential problems before they happen
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