Keep your Car Tuned Up for Most Efficiency

When your life is already full of work, family, and other commitments, the last thing you want to think about is tuning up your car. But the simple acts that are required to keep a car in great running order will save you a great deal over the life of the car.

Maybe you don’t even know what type of maintenance is required for your vehicle. Perhaps you just drive and hope for the best, and when a problem arises, you take your car into the shop as fast as you can. However, that type of thinking can really hit you in the pocketbook. Waiting until there is a problem can end up costing you so much more than daily upkeep ever will. You’re smart to find out the best ways to keep your car in tip top shape. Then go out and do them (or have them done regularly for you).

What should you do to keep your car in great shape?

• If you notice something is squeaking, out of tune, or broken, attend to it right away. Replacing your brakes when you hear the firs squeaks can save you hundreds of dollars over letting it go. If you have to do a complete brake job instead of just replacing the brake shoes because you waited too long, you’re spending money that you didn’t have to.
• If your car failed emissions testing, get it fixed as soon as you can. It’s not just some test you have done and forget about. If you fix a car so that it passes emissions, you’ll improve your gas mileage by about 4%, and right now that can mean up to 11 cents per gallon in savings.
• Check the oxygen sensor or have someone do it for you. If you fix one that’s faulty, you could improve your gas mileage by up to 40% or more!
• Inflate your tires to the proper pressure. Many people never check their tires until they get a flat. You should check your tires regularly or have a gas station do it for you. Your gas mileage can go up by up to 4% if you have the right amount of pressure in your tires. With poorly inflated tires, you lose precious dollars in fuel efficiency. Also, if you keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications, they’ll wear better and last longer. If you’ve never checked a tire in your life, start by reading the owner’s manual or look in the glove compartment. Usually there is sticker somewhere on the car that’s visible that tells you how many pounds per square inch of air you need.
• Change your oil regularly. Don’t let this task slide or you could be losing 3-6 cents or more per gallon. Choose motor oil that is designed to go longer without being changed. Mobil 1 or other oils that conserve energy are best. Look on the oil’s packaging for a symbol declaring that it is Energy Conserving.
• Replace your air filters. New cars still need to have their filters changed out. Your car will run better and more efficiently with a clean filter.
• Don’t let the gas gauge get to empty (or below). Yes, it may be a hassle to remember to stop for gas, but letting your gas level get low can allow dirt into your gas tank, which can be a disaster. It can also cause condensation during colder months. Plus, you may end up stranded in the middle of nowhere. Do yourself a favor and get gas when your tank reads no less than one quarter full. Playing Roulette with your gas gauge is a dangerous business.
• Don’t get gouged on simple repairs. If a repair shop realizes you know nothing about your car and how it runs, they may try to charge you more than the fair price. Go in with an attitude of confidence and know what you’re talking about, or bring a friend along who knows a lot about cars. Also, did you know that you don’t have to go to your dealer’s repair facility? You can take your car to any shop you like. Develop a rapport with the mechanics and give your repair shop repeat business. They’ll fix your car for a fair price when they know you’ll be back.

Don’t let small repairs and maintenance turn into huge headaches for you. As a car owner, you should set aside an amount each month in your budget for car maintenance. That way, you’ll be less tempted to skip a simple test or forget to check something important. Write dates on your calendar when your next oil change and other tests are due. You’ll have no excuse for forgetting and your car will thank you for the extra attention by running smoothly for you.