Who doesn’t love getting better gas mileage in their car?
Even though oil prices can fluctuate, getting better gas mileage in your car is an easy way to save money.
You might think that good gas mileage is limited to only specific models. But did you know that vehicle maintenance can actually help you get the most out of your tank?
Just keeping up with maintenance on your car can save you money in more ways than one. Read on to find out our top vehicle maintenance tips for better gas mileage.
1. Check Your Tire Pressure
Your tire pressure might not seem directly related to your fuel economy, but it makes a big difference.
It’s easy to just check your inflation levels whenever you think about it, but your tire pressure should really be checked once a month. Tires that are well-inflated will use less energy and less fuel.
It’s a good idea to just check your tire pressure every time you fill up at the pump.
2. Clean Your Air Filter
This is another aspect of vehicle maintenance that isn’t necessarily obvious. We overlook cleaning the air filter and only think about it once it gets clogged.
You should check your air filter about as often as you check your tire pressure. On newer cars, cleaning your air filter will help with acceleration and overall performance.
For those who like to maintain older cars, cleaning out the air filters will improve your miles per gallon.
3. Don’t Idle Your Engine
Have you ever been waiting to drop someone off or pick them up? While you were sitting in the parking lot, was your engine still on?
It’s easy to forget about this, but idling your engine is awful for your fuel economy. It wastes gas while you’re not even traveling anywhere!
Starting your engine does require a burst of fuel, but you’ll use more gas just sitting there than you would have if you’d just turned your engine off.
4. Change Your Spark Plugs
You don’t have to change spark plugs nearly as often as you should change an air filter, but you should still make sure you check them periodically. A good interval is every 60,000 miles.
If your spark plugs are misfiring, your car isn’t using fuel efficiently. This will seriously affect the miles you can get out of every gallon.
You can change spark plugs yourself, but if you’re not confident enough to take that on, you can also reach out to a mechanic.
5. Keep Up With General Vehicle Maintenance
Even just the regular work that you put into your car can help save money. A car that functions at optimal levels is also bound to be more fuel efficient.
Make sure that your oil and coolant is changed, take it in for routine service, and take care of your vehicle. Your car — and wallet — will thank you.
Are you looking for a mechanic to help you maintain your car? Need an expert opinion on an issue? Get in touch with Sanford’s Automotive Service — we can help you with all of your auto repair needs!