Archive for category Auto News

Increase Fuel Efficiency With Routine Maintenance

Posted on October 10, 2011 | Auto News, Auto Reviews.

With gas prices so high these days, we all need ways to improve the fuel efficiency of our vehicles. With routine maintenance, your engine and all of its parts are thoroughly inspected to be sure that they are functioning properly. A well-maintained vehicle will burn fuel more efficiently and save you money over time.

We all have busy lives and finding time to take our car to the shop can be a hassle. This may be the reason that many of us put off vehicle maintenance. Unfortunately, you may not be aware that there is a serious issue with your engine until you experience a breakdown or complete failure. By that time, the damage has been done and you may be faced with very expensive repair bills. Even small problems can negatively affect the performance of your vehicle and diminish its fuel efficiency.

Just like we nourish and take care of our body to be healthy, we must do the same for our vehicle. It is a big investment so you want to keep it properly maintained to ensure that it will run efficiently and reliably for many years to come.

One thing you can do to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle is to make sure that your tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires cause an increase in rolling resistance, making your engine work harder. Studies have shown that fewer than 60% of us ever check our tire pressure. It is a good idea to monitor your air pressure each time you stop for gas. Be sure that your tires are properly aligned as well.

Some service centers offer nitrogen for tire inflation. One benefit of filling your tires with nitrogen is that they will stay properly inflated longer because nitrogen is slower to leak out of tires. The longer your tires are properly inflated, the better performance and fuel efficiency you will receive from your vehicle. Try nitrogen the next time you need air and see if you notice improved handling and longer inflation time.

A well-maintained vehicle will run more efficiently than one that has been neglected. Routine maintenance will ensure that all of your parts in working order. Keeping fluids at optimal levels ensures that your engine is well lubricated. Lubrication is important for protecting your parts from friction and ensuring that your engine is not running too hot. Check your owner’s manual for service schedules recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle.

There are some other things that you can do to improve fuel efficiency and improve engine performance:

  • Consolidate trips
  • Don’t idle
  • Use cruise control to keep speed even
  • Accelerate slowly
  • Avoid braking quickly
  • Drive the speed limit
  • Avoid carrying heavy loads when possible
  • Be sure your gas cap is closed tightly

Find a local auto center in your area that offers a full range of services to help you keep your vehicle in top running condition. There is no need to return to the dealership for most services. Work with a local shop that is certified and experienced in servicing all types of vehicles.

5 Tire Maintenance Tips

Posted on October 6, 2011 | Auto News, Auto Reviews.

Tires are an expensive part of your vehicle and are ones that need to be replaced due to wear. The more you drive the closer you get to having to replace them but there are some things you can do to ensure your tire last longer and don’t have to be replaced as frequently. This can save you money and time and will also ensure your tires remain safe to drive. Here are some tips to keep your tires on the road longer:

1. Keep them properly inflated: Tires that are improperly inflated can wear quicker and reduce your fuel efficiency not to mention become road hazards in extreme cases. Your vehicle will suggest one tire pressure to follow and the tires themselves will suggest another. Not sure who to trust? Stick with what your vehicle manufacturer says on the door of your car which is typically where the information is shown.

2. Change tires at the right time each season: Change your all seasons to winter tires once the temperature drops to 7 degrees celsius in the late fall. Changing them over sooner means you’ll be prematurely wearing the rubber with the warmer weather. Change them back to all seasons once the snow has gone and temperatures are going above 7 degrees because again, you’ll be prematurely wearing them out by keeping them on too long into the spring.

3. Rotate them on time: Your vehicle manufacturer will refer to the proper rotation schedule in the owner’s manual. Rotating them helps to ensure that they wear evenly and can help to increase their lifespan. Your owner’s manual will also recommend the proper rotation pattern so be sure that your tires get properly rotated as just switching them randomly doesn’t help.

4. Replace tires when needed: Your garage will help to inspect your tires and let you know when they need to be replaced. You can also inspect your tires for cracks, abnormal wear and other problems that you might need to get checked out by a trusted mechanic. Many brands of tires also come with wear warnings on them that actually tell you when the rubber has worn down to the point of needing to be replaced.

5. Stick with the same brand and model: Mixing and matching tire manufacturers and brands on a vehicle isn’t a great idea. Use the same brand and model of tire ensures that your vehicle is riding with a consistent tire tread and pattern which is the ideal situation. If you have to replace one tire, try to get the same brand and model.