Gas-saving Tips For Summer
When summer means long road trips for many people, but at present scenario when gas prices are higher many motorists are likely to sacrifice those long-distance summer travel. But, according to experts, smart maintenance of your vehicle, as well as good driving habits can help increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Now, as summer is approaching, fuel saving tips can help you maintain your budget, without sacrificing those long distance trips.
Taking good care of various components of a vehicle can also play an important role in improving your vehicle’s gas mileage. According FuelEconomy.gov, an automotive information website from the U.S. Department of Energy, maintaining the quality of these components can improve gas mileage, roughly as much as 40 percent, that means an average savings of about $794 per year.
Since, worn-out or dirty motor parts have a great impact on a vehicle’s fuel consumption, you need to be extra careful in maintaining the components. Here is a quick check of the components that need to be replaced when found dirty or faulty:
- Air Filter: Besides regular maintenance, you should change your vehicle’s air filter in every 12,000 miles or once a year. But, if you live in a high pollution area, you may require to change it more than once. By replacing a dirty air filter, you can improve gas mileage by 10 percent.
- Oxygen Sensors: The function of oxygen sensors is to adjust the air/fuel mixture that goes into the engine and make sure that the engine burns the fuel efficiently and cleanly, resulting in reduced vehicle emissions. But, even if a sensor is faulty it can reduce up to three miles per gallon off your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and cost you about $239 a year.
- Spark Plugs: Every time when your vehicle gets major tune-ups, or in every 30,000 miles, you should change its spark plugs. If you have faulty spark plugs and wires, it will not only make you experience trouble starting the vehicle, but it can also cost you up to $100 per year in wasted fuel.
