CAR CARE TIPS

Here are some of the things you can do to ensure improved gas mileage for your car:

Driving Habits

• Consolidate your daily trips and errands. This will also save you the cost of restarting your engine, which uses a lot of gas.
• Avoid air conditioning when possible. However, when driving at higher speeds, having your windows open also creates drag.
• Don't throttle the gas or brake pedal! Sudden starts or stops use more gas than gradual changes in speed.
• Don't idle for too long. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait.
• Clear out the trunk. More weight equals more drag.
• Avoid high speeds. We know this is almost impossible to resist but you can improve your gas mileage by up to 15% driving at 80km/h rather than 100km/h.
• Use overdrive. If your car is equipped with overdrive gearing use it as soon as your speed is high enough.
• Use cruise control. Maintaining a constant speed is ideal for improving your gas mileage.

Servicing Your Vehicle

• Replace the spark plugs in your engine regularly. This way, the air and fuel mixture will burn cleaner and more efficiently.
• Improve the intake/output system. By allowing gas to get in and exhaust to get out of your vehicle you will improve the vehicle's overall performance and gas mileage.
• Reduce friction. Use high-quality or synthetic motor oil.
• Check your oil! Low oil makes your engine work harder.
• Change your filters. Dirty filters can sometimes increase the amount of fuel your vehicle uses by as much as 10 percent.
• Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Check regularly to ensure your tires are fully inflated and your alignment is good.
• Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks. A lot can go wrong with a car. Damaged spark plugs or transmission problems can also contribute to poor gas mileage.